When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle
against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person
to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most
daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.
This book moved me to tears, it is truly a remarkable and
beautifully crafted novel. At times Hosseini paints harrowing and
brutal scenes but always retains, through the characters of Mariam
and Laila, humanity, spirit and above all love. There were chapters
in this novel through which I literally held my breath, wishing
with all my heart that what was unfolding would not, could not
happen. It is very easy for those of us lucky enough to live in
safety to visualise Afghanistan as a brutal, forsaken place, but
this novel shows us something more. It forces the reader to
acknowledge and recognise not only the suffering of people in our
war torn world but something else, the human capacity for survival,
forgiveness and love. Truly a wonderful book and one I would urge
others to read. The best novel I have read in a long time and one
that will stay with me
Highly recommended
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Book Review