Trina Shahbaz was born and grew up in Afghanistan, where her father
worked as a high-ranking government official. When she was fifteen, her
parents sent her to the United States to continue her education at
Emma Williard, an all-girls boarding school in Troy, New York.
In this poignant coming-of-age memoir, Trina takes the reader along
with her on the many paths of her odyssey--from her beloved
homeland to an alien culture, from childhood and a large loving family
to young adulthood, from the embrace of a close-knit family to foreign
classrooms and dorm rooms where her fellow students knew little of
her Afghan roots.
As she adjusts to her new life, Trina endures intense homesickness, a
demanding educational system, and at times, mocking classmates. Yet
this is also a time of great self-discovery, academic enlightenment, and
rewarding friendships. She finds strength in the wisdom of her culture,
expressed through the words of Farsi poets. While growing up, her
beloved father often quoted excerpts from these writings to his
daughter to arm her with insight and courage as she faced life's
challenges.
Trina skillfully weaves these ballads, poems, and religious texts into her
story, connecting her journey through adolescence at Emma Willard to
the age-old knowledge of her ancient culture. In The Faint Ringing of a
Caravan Bell, Trina reaches deep into her heart to share her pain and joy
with the reader, ultimately overcoming the obstacles and embracing
her future.
All net proceeds from book sales will be donated to Foundation for the
Educational Development of Afghans in Afghanistan (FEDAA.org), whose
vision is that every Afghan be educated to thrive, inspire, and unite.