On the evening of May 24, 2023, a book launch event for Whispering Walls was held in collaboration between the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, and the American Corner, with around 70 attendees. Whispering Walls, published in 2023 by Afsana Paress, is Dr. Choman Hardi's fifth book in English and was released in the UK.
Dr. Hardi read select passages from her novel, followed by a panel discussion led by Ms. Sheeren Saeeb. The panel explored the novel’s themes, sparking a dynamic conversation with the audience. The event concluded with a book signing, giving attendees the opportunity to take home a signed copy of the novel.
Whispering Walls is set against the backdrop of the looming U.S. invasion of Iraq and follows the lives of three siblings—two in London, one in Sulaimani—who reflect on their troubled past. Through their different perspectives, stories of war, displacement, and a Kurdish family’s tragic history unfold. As the siblings grapple with difficult life choices, they are haunted by the mystery of their sister’s suicide 22 years earlier. Whispering Walls is a story of love, relationships, and hope, tempered with a cautious view of the future.