Behind the Lens
Behind the Lens by Jeannée Sacken, published by Ten16 Press in 2021, is a fiction work that delves into the life of seasoned photojournalist Annie Hawkins Green. After surviving a traumatic Taliban ambush eight years prior, Annie returns to Afghanistan to teach a photography workshop at a girls’ school run by her best friend, Darya Faludi. As the Taliban’s influence resurges, Annie confronts her suppressed memories and nightmares, which are intensified by a looming sense of danger.
Readers will find a narrative that intertwines personal struggles with broader societal issues, as Annie grapples with her past while navigating the complexities of her present. The story explores themes of suspense and the challenges faced by women in a changing landscape. As Annie deals with her own family dynamics and the unsettling behavior of Darya’s daughter, the tension builds, leaving her to question her safety and the support of those far away. This edition spans 444 pages and is presented in English.
Official synopsis Publisher
2024 Best Book Club Selection, The International Firebird Awards
2024 International Pulpwood Queen and Timberwood Guys Bonus Book of the Year
2022 Hawthorne Prize, American Writing Awards
2021 Book of the Year (fiction), Best Women’s Fiction, Best Suspense, American Writing Awards
2021 Best Debut Fiction, Winner Women’s Fiction, Winner Suspense, Firebird Awards
2021 Winner Notable Book of the Year, Shelf Unbound
Eight years ago, seasoned photojournalist Annie Hawkins Green barely survived a Taliban ambush that left her military escort dead and a young Afghan girl dying in her arms. Since then, she has managed to suppress her memories of that brutal day-until she returns to Afghanistan to teach a photography workshop at the secondary school for girls run by her expat best friend Darya Faludi. As the Taliban gain prominence in the once peaceful region, Annie’s nightmares from her last time in-country come roaring back with a vengeance. But are they just dreams? The unshakeable feeling of a grim, watchful presence makes Annie think otherwise.
As Annie struggles with her nightmares, more trouble brews with the suspicion that Darya’s teenage daughter is sneaking away at night to meet her shadowy boyfriend. Meanwhile, Annie’s own daughter wages war with her father and stepmother back home, feeding Annie’s all-consuming mom-guilt. Her only comfort, a poetry-writing U.S. Naval officer who saved her life all those years ago, is now at the other end of a satellite phone 7,000 miles away. How can he possibly keep her safe?
How can anyone?
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