And the Mountains Echoed | Book Review

Hey Sweeties,

At the beginning of the year in probably at least two posts, I mentioned how I really wanted to push myself to read more in 2016; I want to aim for a book a month. So, with January now over, I am so far on track and in a position to review for you, my first read of 2016: And the Mountains Echoed, by Khalid Hosseini.

And the Mountains Echoed

For a little bit of context, this is Hosseini’s third novel, his previous two –The Kite Runner, and A Thousand Splendid Suns– were both best sellers and The Kite Runner has been made into a film. I am a huge, huge fan of Khalid Hosseini’s work and I think if you’re someone that has a real interest in Middle Eastern culture, and/or love how a book can unravel relationships with such emotion, you have to give this author a go.

The easiest thing for me to do initially, is repeat the blurb on the back of the book to give you an idea of the story. I would try to explain it in my own words but in all honesty, why bother when someone has already painstakingly already gone to the effort?

Ten-year-old Abdullah would do anything for his younger sister. In a life of poverty and struggle, with no mother to care for them, Pari is the only person who brings Abdullah happiness. For her, he will trade his only pair of shoes to give her a feather for her treasured collection. When their father sets off with Pari across the desert to Kabul in search of work, Abdullah is determined not to be separated from her. Neither brother nor sister know what this fateful journey will bring them.

Without then going on to give the story away, what I will say is that this journey happens early on in the book and the rest of the novel covers the next fifty or so years of the characters afterwards. It’s only when writing this now, am I reminded of the journey –as a reader- you’re taken on and can’t quite believe it’s all taken place within 466 pages. Hosseini’s ability to weave different lives and characters together is quite unbelievable and he does it with such incredible skill. While the story is always moving forward, he slots in moments from the past in the characters’ lives that provide further context and fill in some gaps to their existence and present moment.

Of Hosseini’s three novels, this one didn’t make me cry but that’s not because it isn’t sad, it is, but not so far that it brings you to tears. I love how the author brings together a story that spans across Afghanistan, Paris and America as well as all the individual characters, with their own backgrounds. While the book is beautifully written, it’s not a beautiful read; the story acts as a poignant reminder of how life can take new directions at any moment, and how easily it can pass you by.

That all being said, it’s a wonderful read and like I mentioned earlier, if you have an interest in Middle Eastern and Western cultures, and/or just love getting involved in different characters and their relationships to each other, And the Mountains Echoed would be a good read for you and I definitely recommend you do so.

Has anyone read either or all of Khaled Hosseini’s books?

Until next time x

Ps. Next on my reading list? The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

 

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