Blog Post #5 Semester 2: Best Things About..."And the Mountains Echoed #1"

Book Cover Page

From reading the first 2 books from Khaled Hosseini's trilogy, I have been amazed.

Never before have I read a novel that makes me feel as though I was actually experiencing the novel and that the characters were my own projections.

It was the first novel that made me feel as though I was not just reading the words on the page but rather viewing a motion picture. Originally Hosseini's purpose in writing was to illustrate a relationship between a parent and his/her child, but what Hosseini has done in And the Mountains Echoed, has made his other books seem quite simple.

Hosseini accomplished something that no other author has ever even attempted before: Masterfully utilize 9 short stories, each told from a different and completely unique perspective, to show the relationship between a 10-year old boy named Abdullah and his three-year old-sister Pari.

Which brings me to the exact prompt for this blog post: At any point while reading the book explain the best thing about your book (could also be flipped to the worst things about your book).

The best thing about my book...hmmm...it would be quite hard to pick one specific aspect of this novel that I found to be the best. However, if I truly had to pick just one aspect of this novel that I found to be the best it would have to be how effective Hosseini was in merging the different stories of each character to ultimately relate to the original story in order to illustrate an resolute relationship between a pair of siblings, even after being forcefully separated during their childhood.

Character Map

In summary, the novel opens in the year 1952 where Saboor, an impoverished farmer from the village of Shadbagh, decides to sell his three-year old daughter Pari to a wealthy, childless couple in Kabul. The choice devastates his ten-year-old son, Abdullah, who raised Pari following their mother's death. Subsequent chapters expound on how the arrangement came to be: the children's stepmother grew up as the less-favored child, so one day in a flash of jealousy, she caused her sister to suffer a devastating injury that resulted in her marrying her sister's to-be-husband. Her older brother, Nabi, left to work for a wealthy man in Kabul, and became infatuated with his wife, Nila. After Nila expressed her dismay to have children Nabi arranged for Pari to be sold to the couple. In the ensuing years, Adbullah leaves Afghanistan, Mr.Wahdati suffers a stroke prompting his wife to move away with Pari, Nabi stays back to care for Mr.Wahdati for 50 years.

It's simple isn't it?

Wrong.

The seemingly simple summarized plot is actually quite tortuous. The summarized plot is actually a compounding story in which each chapter is from the point of view of a new character, yet each of their stories interlink. In a powerful way. The organization of this novel helps the reader realize the importance of all their relationships with both family and friends. The plot extends beyond the scope of just this novel.

However, even the best things about this book, seemed it work against itself. Into this outstanding plot Hosseini incorporated a plethora of unique characters. But incorporating so many characters comes at a cost. As soon as the author introduces a brand new character and the reader falls in love with him/her, Hosseini immediately goes on to another character but has to start again from scratch. Introduce. Story. Next character. Additionally, the resolutions to the multiple conflicts are not resolved till the very last page, which leaves the endings of the characters still left standing (yes, Hosseini is notorious for not having those sappy endings that we as readers love) up to imagination. And trust me, having to come up with your own ending to an awesome book, just doesn't cut it.

So the next time you decide to read a realistic fiction novel, consider reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, it's sure to amaze you. But watch out, you will be waiting for more of his books once you finish this one.

So sit back, relax and read it slowly.