In the middle of so much chaos, Khaled Hosseini’s work resonated with all the good things around and inside of me. So, here I describe my experiences from ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ while giving you a quick tour of the book.
I finished this book on 22nd June and then I wrote a few words on a blank page at the end. This was the first time I wrote down the afterthoughts from any read in the paperback itself.
And Why?
So, the next time that I pick it from my shelf (either to lend or re-read), it has a mark of the humane thoughts it seeded inside me. A reminder of how alive and aware I felt of my existence because of this book.
This article is a thread of my afterthoughts from this read. I have briefly expressed my opinions on some traits of this book in the following sub-sections.
Hope it leaves an echo in the end. Happy reading!
About the Author: Khaled Hosseini is one of the most widely read and beloved novelists. He has written a total of three books. The other two are ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and ‘The Kite Runner’ (below you can see a glimpse of beautiful paperbacks I own). He is associated with many humanitarian organizations working for the betterment of the lives of people of Afghanistan.
The Book: And the Mountains Echoed is one mesmerizingly bouquet of multiple stories (not indicating a collection of short stories). All the individuals are living and breathing in the same frame.
"So, then. You want a story and I will tell you one. But just the one. Don't either of you ask me for more. (...)" said Baba to Abdulla and Pari.
These are the opening lines of And the Mountains Echoed that give a peek into the poignance of the book. You might be wondering that it is just another blog post about a book.
But I am willing to take you to a standpoint where human life looks more hopeful.
Of all the three books, why is this one the centerpiece?
Not just because I completed it most recently, but because it has truthfully earned this special mention. It takes you so deep inwards while there is a world so distracting on the outside.
It is made of exotic ingredients like unorthodox love (in the late ’90s), unconditional affection (for people you never meet physically but are blood-related to you), power of family along with a tinge-of separation-longingness-and-reunion.
It is rare to find a book that takes you through so much, so swiftly. So, you get enough to sip and breathe each and everything very easily.
Narration: Beginning to describe the writing style, I found it exceptionally enticing to the very last paragraph. Those who have read the book would mostly agree.
Before you get to know any character in the book, there is a strong contextual build-up that helps you relate better. The multiple layers exquisitely uncover the essence of each individual.
There are scenes where you feel s/he is innocent and the other one is guilty. But, when you switch sides, you feel vice versa. Their alibis are so strong that you end up siding with - Baba, Abdulla, Pari and Pari, Nabi, Nila, Suleiman, Kabir, Markos, Thalia, each one of them.
Thus, with each page-turning, your emotions flip too.
Quality of content: Most readers don’t give fiction a fair chance because it does not offer upfront information and life lessons. However, I am of a different opinion.
And the Mountains Echoed brought to the surface what often remains in our sub-conscience.
As most of the time, you know things but you need a reminder to be conscious of your 'self'.
I felt this book was that gentle reminder to me. So, it was as insightful to me as any other non-fiction writing.
If I am to mention some of its literary attributes, they begin with enriching vocabulary, intriguing sentence formations, excellent plot, and storytelling and continues to infinity.
Long story short, my point here is, that people who look forward to literary takeaways from any book can assuredly consider this one.
The tone of this novel: While you are feeling so much through the pages, the undertone of the whole story is set to humility and empathy.
One thing that contributes the most to this is the pictorial and scenic settings in Afghanistan.
When you hear the name of this country, you feel a sense of terror but believe me, there is so much more.
Life and cities of Afghanistan as a backdrop gave life to everything that Hosseini wrote.
The vivid descriptions of this country bring out the humane realities of the people of Afghanistan.
The Emotional Intake: Even as I write this post, I re-live each of moment. There is so much this book offers to your mind and soul. From here onwards, I am going to give you an actual peek into what ‘resonated’ with me.
"I suspect that we are all waiting, all of us, against insurmountable odds, for something extraordinary to happen to us" ~ page 118
And the next thing I feet after reading this line is beyond expressions.
Still, as an attempt to give word to it I say that I could feel all the emotions rushing through my veins at once. As if someone had confronted me of a reality that I often live in denial with.
Tell me if these words did not hit you as hard? Tell me that you did not feel that someone just understood you as a human. This is from where I gave the title ‘a read that resonated’, to this post.
You might have heard this line earlier also, but I could not skip mentioning it in the given context.
‘Each one of us is a universe in itself. A million universes trying to co-exist in the same plane.’
It is so comforting to know that you are not alone in the chaos. To make my point, I quote the lines of Nila Wahdati from an interview she is giving about herself :
Sounds relatable? Does it feel like words from a fictional character? I can bet it doesn’t (to the most of you).
Thus, I bid thee farewell on the note that it’s okay to feel ‘disoriented’ and ‘off the compass’ at some point in time.
But sooner or later you’ll realize all of it is a part of a big jigsaw puzzle.
Then, just like Abdulla and Pari did not ask Baba for more, you wouldn’t either. You wouldn’t want to change your story for anything in the universe.
P.S. When anybody asks me if they should start reading, what should they start with, etc. I just tell - You don't have to have 'a thing for reading', it is everybody's thing. Humans were born to read. Whatever we want, how much ever we want. To feel good, to feel alive!
Druti is a bibliophile by passion and an urban planner by profession. She considers herself an ambivert person. Her optimism can lift your spirits even if life is a total mess! She can be highly ambitious, while never losing sight of her integrity.
You can write to her at druti.1998d@gmail.com for further info.
Thank you Somya ! I hope you would like the book when you read.
Creative and loved your perspective ...you fantastically pulled everything together so beautifully... eager to read the novel & more reviews from you.😊
Thank you for your kind words, Tripti. Do read the book 😁
Amazing review beautifully written..Although I have not read the book but by reading this I thought to read the book once .
Great job .😊
Waiting for the next one💗
Thank you Deeksha. My job is done if you felt my words !!