Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Depressing with a Dash of Beauty
The scene is bleak in Kabul, and the narrator never tries to suggest otherwise. How could they when their story is set in a city gutted by bombs and ruled over by an oppressive—and violent—regime? It would be pretty disrespectful to the experiences of all the people who actually had to live through this time (since this book is historical fiction). Check out this description of Kabul that Father offers up:
"Kabul has more land mines than flowers," her father used to say. "Land mines are as common as rocks and can blow you up without warning. Remember your brother." (10.40)
There's no room for confusion in passages like this: our story takes place in a dark and dangerous time and place. But the narrator isn't interested in being depressing for depression's sake, so when beauty presents itself, they make sure to include it too. For some examples of this, be sure to check out the moments when Shauzia gives Parvana dried apricots or the Window Woman drops gifts down to her.