The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra
Book Title: The Swallows of Kabul
Author: Yasmina Khadra
Genre: Fiction
My Grade: B-
# of Pages: 195
Summary: Kabul under the Taliban, a devastated city ruled by executioners and crows, where laughing in public brings down the wrath of the religious police. This is the world in which Yasmina Khadra - the pseudonym of a former officer in the Algerian army - sets his cauterizing novel of fanaticism and tenderness.
With an implacable eye, Khadra follows two couples: Mohsen and Zunaira are dispirited survivors of Afghanistan's educated middle class; Atiq is a brutish jailer bound by a debt of gratitude to his dying wife, Musarrat. One day the horrified Mohsen finds himself taking part in the stoning of a condemned prostitute, an action that will impel all four characters toward new destinies. As spare as carved bone and filled with images that explode like bombs, The Swallows of Kabul is a work of haunting power.
My Thoughts: I had so many difficulties grasping on to this book. So many issues just focusing on it, and I don't think it was the circumstances going on around me while I was reading. The more I think about it, the book wasn't bad, I just didn't like it.
The writing is beautiful and frightening at the same time; each character, no matter how fleeting they may be, has a story behind them. The story is powerful and moving. Yet, I think what made it so hard to delve into was that the beginning starts off stating everything we in the United States believe to happening in Afghanistan to be true. But after that the story sort of falls, and not to character developement. There are moments when the story picks up slightly, but it isn't until the last few chapters of the book that you're once again enthralled in the story. Before that I'm reading, a few images popping out at me, but for the most part I was on autopilot.
I don't want my bad grade to affect anyone's debating over picking up this book. The subject matter is heart wrenching, and you just want to reach out to some of these characters. Women, especially, should read this book. People are constantly saying how women in the Western world, especially the United States have it so well off, and it's true. Especially because this story is a reflection on a real society and really what goes on in it. I was constantly being shocked and shaking my head. I was gritting my teeth for some of these women, forced to be shrouded and looked down upon. But at the same time, you see how strongly some of these people believe in this culture, and just as strongly, how there are people being opressed and wishing with all their heart to break free.
This book was good, but the middle lag (which I admit is the toughest part of a book or anything to write) held me back from falling completely in love with this book. But for a first time writer (at least I think he is) it's a wonderful accomplishment, especially when coming from such an opressive environment and with fear of death for sharing his words.
Remember, we are lucky, in this country to be able to do all we can. Just remember that. Read this book if you think we're constantly being stifled and opressed, you'll realize that we're birds in a forest, not in a cage.
Next Book: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket • Review
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Author: Yasmina Khadra
Genre: Fiction
My Grade: B-
# of Pages: 195
Summary: Kabul under the Taliban, a devastated city ruled by executioners and crows, where laughing in public brings down the wrath of the religious police. This is the world in which Yasmina Khadra - the pseudonym of a former officer in the Algerian army - sets his cauterizing novel of fanaticism and tenderness.
With an implacable eye, Khadra follows two couples: Mohsen and Zunaira are dispirited survivors of Afghanistan's educated middle class; Atiq is a brutish jailer bound by a debt of gratitude to his dying wife, Musarrat. One day the horrified Mohsen finds himself taking part in the stoning of a condemned prostitute, an action that will impel all four characters toward new destinies. As spare as carved bone and filled with images that explode like bombs, The Swallows of Kabul is a work of haunting power.
My Thoughts: I had so many difficulties grasping on to this book. So many issues just focusing on it, and I don't think it was the circumstances going on around me while I was reading. The more I think about it, the book wasn't bad, I just didn't like it.
The writing is beautiful and frightening at the same time; each character, no matter how fleeting they may be, has a story behind them. The story is powerful and moving. Yet, I think what made it so hard to delve into was that the beginning starts off stating everything we in the United States believe to happening in Afghanistan to be true. But after that the story sort of falls, and not to character developement. There are moments when the story picks up slightly, but it isn't until the last few chapters of the book that you're once again enthralled in the story. Before that I'm reading, a few images popping out at me, but for the most part I was on autopilot.
I don't want my bad grade to affect anyone's debating over picking up this book. The subject matter is heart wrenching, and you just want to reach out to some of these characters. Women, especially, should read this book. People are constantly saying how women in the Western world, especially the United States have it so well off, and it's true. Especially because this story is a reflection on a real society and really what goes on in it. I was constantly being shocked and shaking my head. I was gritting my teeth for some of these women, forced to be shrouded and looked down upon. But at the same time, you see how strongly some of these people believe in this culture, and just as strongly, how there are people being opressed and wishing with all their heart to break free.
This book was good, but the middle lag (which I admit is the toughest part of a book or anything to write) held me back from falling completely in love with this book. But for a first time writer (at least I think he is) it's a wonderful accomplishment, especially when coming from such an opressive environment and with fear of death for sharing his words.
Remember, we are lucky, in this country to be able to do all we can. Just remember that. Read this book if you think we're constantly being stifled and opressed, you'll realize that we're birds in a forest, not in a cage.
Next Book: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket • Review
Back to the Book List.