Mud City Book Review : A powerful Journey of Hope, Survival and Freedom

What is Mud City by Deborah Ellis about?

Mud City follows Shauzia’s journey as she searches for freedom and better future.

Discover our Review and Summary of Mud City by Deborah Ellis

Shauzia is stuck with bossy Mrs. Weera, while she thinks that Parvana is having the time of her life somewhere in the outside world, even though they both should be in Paris by now.

Shauzia and Jasper – Shauzia’s Dog – are currently living with Mrs. Weera in a small camp, almost like a village community. Shauzia feels trapped and annoyed by everyone around her. She is unable to fulfill her dream of going to France and is determined to get there before anyone can stop her. She dreams of sitting  in the abundant fields of purple flowers and having a house right under the Eiffel Tower. Although the people in charge are not helping and are restricting her to doing “little jobs”, after a long and exhausting wait, Shauzia is fed up and decides to pack up and leave.

Once she reaches bustling Pakistan, Shauzia finds herself begging on the streets after days of trying to find work, with many different experiences and lessons learnt. Soon she is taken in by a rich American family who are living in Afghanistan for a few months. Shauzia learns what it feels like to be cared for during her time with them. However, soon an act of kindness turns into a disaster, and Shauzia is kicked out.

When she cannot go home and is rejected in the slums, her search for freedom continues. But the only question is: where will she go next?

My favourite character is Jasper because he is very smart and always looks out for Shauzia. Through thick and thin, he will always stay loyal to her. My favourite part of this book is when Shauzia is taken to prison for unfair reasons and Jasper alerts people for help, which is when the American family step in.

Is Mud City Worth Reading?

This book explores survival in harsh living conditions, hope, resilience and freedom. Mud City is also about finding compassion for one another and understanding the true motive of the Taliban. Other themes include facing the world and the harsh reality experienced by girls living under Taliban rule.

Overall this book is very interesting because it is told from Shauzia’s point of view. It is the third book in a series of five The Breadwinner, Parvana’s Journey, Mud City, My Name is Parvana and One More Mountain. I suggest reading The Breadwinner and Parvana’s Journey before reading this book, otherwise some parts may not make much sense. I rate this book a 5/5 and recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful and inspiring read about determination.

If you liked Mud City, try these other thought-provoking reads:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a story of a woman’s life in Afghanistan, filled with unimaginable abuse and hardship.

I Am Malala: An inspiring true story about education, cultural pressure, and the strength of a young girl standing up for what is right.

The Diary of a Young Girl -Anne Frank: A powerful childhood perspective showing emotional resilience, hardship, and historical reality.

Once Series by Morris Gleitzman: Once | Then | Now | After | Soon | Maybe | Always. Each book follows Felix at different stages of his life.

The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan, a powerful and emotional story set during the Partition of India.

Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson, a powerful World War 2 historical fiction set during the London Blitz.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, an emotional story from a child’s perspective in a controlled/harsh society.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, which follows a young soldier reflecting on love, family & harsh realities of World War I.