And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, a review

by Laura Leblanc

Khaled Hosseini is the author of bestselling novels “The Kite Runner” and “A thousand Splendid Suns.” Hosseini’s latest novel (2013) called “And the Mountains Echoed” talks about the way we love, care for others, and make decisions often is learned from the previous generation. The story is not only about children and parents, but about brothers, sisters, caretakers and cousins as well. In this book, Hosseini discusses several ways in which members of a family honour, betray, wound, nurture, and sacrifice for one another. Many a time, what may surprise us the most, is the behaviour of those close to us. The author carefully defines the characters of the story and the effects their choices are having on their lives. Moreover, book depicts love across the world from Kabul to Paris, San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos. The tale gradually progresses from one place to the next, becoming increasingly complex and intense as the reader turns the page. The author wrote his first book while working in Los Angeles as a doctor; therefore, his view about hospital conditions in Afghanistan, when compared to those in U.S are based on real-world experience. In many parts of the book, there is a reflection of his work experience with the United Nations Refugee Agency.

10 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 18, 2013

Reviews

[Prita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always makes me sad and makes me think.

Loyalty and devotion exist—in many forms—at least based on Hosseini's books.

The story is about loyalty and devotion that never runs out, same as his previous two books. It opens with a father telling a story to his two children, a sweet start. The conflict is set early: the younger sister, Pari, gets sold by their father, and it deeply hurts her older brother, Abdullah.

Time passes, the setting keeps changing, but everything connects in the end.

[Ginny Nulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for the same reasons that others hated it... It is not an easy read. It jumps around not only between characters but spans many years but not chronologically. The author alluded to important issues before you actually had read about them ( like Nila's suicide). This is a complicated story spanning multiple countries and characters. I enjoy that- what will happen next - feel and the complex structure Hosseni uses. I definitely had to read it twice to figure out what was going on and who was who. It probably was harder because I listened to the audio and the characters have names that are foreign to me. I also found it helpful to make a little family tree on the side to help me keep the characters straight. The parable that is told in the beginning (cutting off a finger to save the hand), seems like it will be the theme. But like understanding any human being it is never that simple. It is a beautiful, emotional and tumultuous journey and I enjoyed every minute of the ride.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author!