In Afghanistan, just after the fall of the Taliban, a bookseller named Sultan Khan allowed a western journalist to move into his home and experience firsthand his family's life in the newly liberated capital city of Kabul.

From that act of openness emerges this remarkable book, already an international bestseller--the most intimate look yet at ordinary life for those who have weathered Afghanistan's extraordinary upheavals. One husband, two wives, five children, and many other relatives sharing four small rooms opened up their lives, unforgettably.

First is Sultan himself, a man whose love of books has exposed him to great risks over his thirty years in the trade. He has seen his volumes censored, ripped apart, even burned in the street by the Communists and the Taliban. Each time he rebuilt his business, hiding the most controversial texts, surviving prison, traveling treacherous back roads to Pakistan to order much-needed schoolbooks. He takes joy in selling books of history, science, art, religion, and poetry, and defends his business against competitors and theft with a primal ferocity.

But Sultan is also a committed Muslim with strict views on filial respect and the role of women. We meet his wife, Sharifa, when she learns that Sultan is taking a new bride, as his status in the community dictates. Despite custom, it is agonizing for the mother of Sultan's children to see her place usurped. We follow their teenage son, Mansur, as he embarks on his first religious pilgrimage, which embodies all the excitement of youth's first rebellion. And we see Sultan's younger sisters, as one coquettishly prepares for her wedding while another seeks a job to escape her family's tight grip.

Stepping back from the page, award-winning journalist Åsne Seierstad allows the Khans to speak for themselves about their joys, sorrows, rivalries, loves, dreams, and temptations. Through this close-knit household, we gain an intimate view-as few outsiders have seen it-of life in an Islamic country just beginning to find its way between the forces of modernity and tradition.
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Such an interesting book - The understatement of the author and the narrator made the terrible things described so much more powerful, but still I found myself in sympathy with Sultan and his family. It was an insight into another culture so different to ours.
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Going out today to Alsgal- -sorry for the delay xxx

Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks sunny!

I enjoyed listening to this look at a different culture. Thanks for sharing

Sending off to AceofHearts

received in the mail today. I am sure both my father and I will enjoy listening to this. Thanks so much for the RABCK

My father really enjoyed this and commented as how he was very close to Peshwar during the WWII

What an interesting book!!! The author simply states the Khans story. She does so without judgement and so the story is made even more powerful. Sultan with one hand treats his women relatives with distain,little more than slaves and on the other hand condemns the burka. This book gives us a rare glimpse into a different culture. We are provided with a portrait of a family in Afghanistan. We learn of proposals,marriages, crime and punishment. We find out about the women and their ideas and fears.

delivering to Chronic at the Oakville Meet-Up. She took it out of the audio VBB

I have read the book and really enjoyed it, now I want to hear how it reads

This was a good listen, though I still enjoyed reading it more. Im passing this on to cestmoi today when I meet her for birthday fun. I really enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions.

Thanks for sharing the day with me and the audio book.