The Bookseller of Kabul
2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by dododumpling from St. Neots, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
'A remarkable portrait, with deftly woven accounts of weddings and journeys, books and bookselling, relations and squabbles, firmly anchored by pleasing details about food and customs, all set against the backdrop of a derelict city, filthy and crammed bu
Asne Seierstad's work as a war correspondent brought her to Afghanistan in 2001. Intrigued, she returned after the Taliban's fall, and spent four months living with the Khans. Noting how the family must have seen her as some 'bi-gendered' creature, she wastes no time introducing us to the central character, Sultan Khan, the bookseller of the title. Sultan's love for his ancient country's culture gives him strength to stand up to Communist and Taliban alike. As they burn and destroy his beloved books he consoles himself with the knowledge that he has hidden away many more. He's also a man who puts himself first, and seems to always get what he wants, be it a priceless Persian text or a new wife. Through the family's experiences, Seierstad's no-nonsense style provides a close up look at a fascinating country and its people, still daring to hope after the horrific ravages of the recent past.
A charity shop find.
Asne Seierstad's work as a war correspondent brought her to Afghanistan in 2001. Intrigued, she returned after the Taliban's fall, and spent four months living with the Khans. Noting how the family must have seen her as some 'bi-gendered' creature, she wastes no time introducing us to the central character, Sultan Khan, the bookseller of the title. Sultan's love for his ancient country's culture gives him strength to stand up to Communist and Taliban alike. As they burn and destroy his beloved books he consoles himself with the knowledge that he has hidden away many more. He's also a man who puts himself first, and seems to always get what he wants, be it a priceless Persian text or a new wife. Through the family's experiences, Seierstad's no-nonsense style provides a close up look at a fascinating country and its people, still daring to hope after the horrific ravages of the recent past.
A charity shop find.
Journal Entry 2 by dododumpling from St. Neots, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed learning about life in Kabul and the insights this book gave into the lives of various family members. The treatment of women is, of course, shocking, and I felt incredibly sorry for Leila. I vaguely remembered while reading this book that it was surrounded by controversy - this link explains more.
Journal Entry 3 by dododumpling at Caffe Nero, King's Parade OBCZ in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 7, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (11/7/2008 UTC) at Caffe Nero, King's Parade OBCZ in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
On the BC shelf at the back of the cafe.
On the BC shelf at the back of the cafe.
Journal Entry 4 by Una-McCormack from Cambridge, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 24, 2008
Found in Caffe Nero on Kings Parade, Cambridge.
