Across Egypt and the diaspora, the characters in When Silence Shatters wrestle with moments that change everything:
a woman who refuses to look away when injustice happens in public,
a young girl whose curiosity is treated as rebellion,
a teacher forced to choose between safety and truth,
a survivor learning that freedom can arrive in unexpected forms,
and a brief encounter between two strangers that becomes a lifeline of hope.
Each story captures a turning point—not always loud, not always visible—where silence either protects or destroys, and where love quietly insists on being seen.

Written with lyrical intensity and emotional honesty, When Silence Shatters explores feminism, queerness, family pressure, and resilience, while holding space for tenderness, connection, and the possibility of healing. These are stories about choosing yourself, even when the cost is high, and about the hope that emerges when someone finally listens.
Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction, cross-cultural narratives, and stories that linger long after the final page.

Praised by Readers’ Favorite as “a beautiful, careful handling of human feeling and story design,” the collection brings forward voices long overlooked—stories of tenderness, defiance, and the small, powerful acts that break generational silence. With “every story singing,” as Readers’ Favorite notes, Mahmoud’s writing illuminates the emotional truth in ordinary moments, delivering “tight writing and a gift for subverting reader expectation.”

Bold, haunting, and deeply human, When Silence Shatters gives readers a window into lives rarely centered yet universally resonant.

About the Author

Mahitab Mahmoud is a writer, educator, and researcher whose work explores the inner lives, silence, and resilience of women, men, and the LGBTQ+ individuals in the face of cultural and societal expectations and toxic masculinity. Her stories give voice to characters navigating oppression, identity, and love across Egypt and beyond. She splits her time between Connecticut and New York City. Mahitab holds a Master's degree in English, and she is pursuing her second in Special Education at Adelphi University. She has taught English, Linguistics and Research Methods at private universities in Cairo and Alexandria. She now works in New York City as a certified teacher. Her research has been presented at international conferences in Barcelona, Kaliningrad, and Cairo, reflecting her dedication to bridging literature, language, and social justice.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Housing Works Used Book Cafe is an independent open bookstore in New York City that presents great used, new and antiquarian books, good coffee, the opportunity to hear from many of the best writers and performers in America and the chance to make a difference in the fight against AIDS and Homelessness, in New York City and the world. We are a non-profit bookstore relying on volunteers to help run the store. Housing Works provides housing, health care, job training and advocacy for people living with HIV and AIDS. Fighting AIDS One Book At A Time

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
126 Crosby Street, New York, NY, 10012, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We guarantee the condition of every book as described in our listings. We offer full refunds on books returned to us for any reason within 30 days. If you have any questions, please use the Ask Bookseller a Question link to contact us and we'll respond within 2 business days.

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Housing Works Online Bookstore, New York, New York, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping Terms

All books shipped USPS with delivery confirmation in the USA. Typically we ship media mail for $3.99, Priority for $7.99, packed in poly bags or bubble mailers. More valuable books and heavy items are wrapped and boxed. For international orders, we ship through Landmark Global.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	7 to 14 business days	3 to 5 business days
First item	� 2.94	� 6.95

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.