Middle East/North African Lit discussion

I really liked this small book which in its English translation was full of exquisite phrasing, lush detail, and made you truly feel you were walking through the crowded Kabul market, sitting in the baking heat under a burqua outside the mosque, and other situations. I posted a full review here

Has anyone else read it?

Hey Sheila,

yes, I have read it just a few days ago. I loved the book, it was in many ways surprising and beautifully written. I must confess though, that metaphors in the very first sentence seemed so pompous and exorbitant to me (is this a french thing?), that I immediately put the book away again (only to take it out 2 days later and read it in one go, hihi).

The unwavering, unconditional love Atiq's wife demonstrates, as well as Atiq's transformation upon meeting the prisoner were among the things that moved me most.

I think your review really captures the essence of the book. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I read this book a few months ago and I thought the writing/translation was absolutely beautiful, depressing story, but he definitely has a way with words!

Natalie, Interesting what you aid about the abundance of metaphors. The language will either grab you or turn you off, it grabbed me. Although I compare it in my review to what I consider the best book ever written, in retrospect that is probably over praising this one. None the less I loved its language, albeit I read the English translation - my French wouldn't be up to it without a dictionary to hand. Like you I'd have probably read this in one sitting, but work, life and all that and I took 3 sessions to read. I can't quite put my finger on whether its was as a result of this disjointed reading or whether it was something inherent in the but it seemed to be a book of two halves, with plot taking the major part in the second half. I will certainly be adding him to my list of authors to read other books by.

Bernadette, "...beautiful, depressing.....not often said in the same breath :) I actually didn't find it decompressing, although I could see why it might be because of the inevitability of spiralling decay both in country and in people - is that why you thought it so? But I thought the spirit or the women more than counterbalanced that and I saw that as the roots of hope for the Afghanistan of the future.