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Utvrda s devet kula: obiteljska priča dječaka iz Afganistana
Utvrda s devet kula (A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story, 2013.) autobiografski je roman autora Qais Akbar Omara, inspiriran romanima Khaleda Hosseinija i preveden na više od dvadeset jezika, u kojem autor iznosi vlastita sjećanja na djetinjstvo u Afganistanu od dolaska na vlast mudžahedina početkom 1990-ih godina. Ovaj istodobno potresan i poetičan roman o ratu viđenom kroz dječje oči dobio je sjajne kritike.
Nakon što su 1989. Sovjeti napustili Afganistan, Kabul je bio rajski vrt u kojem je sedmogodišnji Qais bezbrižno puštao zmajeve s krova djedove kuće. Potom su ga zauzeli mudžahedini, samoproglašeni sveti ratnici, i u zemlji je izbio građanski rat. Qaisova je obitelj potražila zaklon na drugom kraju grada u staroj utvrdi s prekrasnim vrtom. Nakon nekoliko po život opasnih susreta s raznim mudžahedinskim frakcijama, obitelj donosi odluku o definitivnom odlasku iz zemlje, no to se putovanje pokazalo opasnijim od bilo kojih predviđanja…
„Zapanjujući, dirljivi memoari o odrastanju za vrijeme rata u kojima je priča o životnim iskušenjima, trenucima radosti i ljepote protkana narodnim pričama i poezijom… Utvrda s devet kula predstavlja trijumf života.“ The Washington Post
Nakon što su 1989. Sovjeti napustili Afganistan, Kabul je bio rajski vrt u kojem je sedmogodišnji Qais bezbrižno puštao zmajeve s krova djedove kuće. Potom su ga zauzeli mudžahedini, samoproglašeni sveti ratnici, i u zemlji je izbio građanski rat. Qaisova je obitelj potražila zaklon na drugom kraju grada u staroj utvrdi s prekrasnim vrtom. Nakon nekoliko po život opasnih susreta s raznim mudžahedinskim frakcijama, obitelj donosi odluku o definitivnom odlasku iz zemlje, no to se putovanje pokazalo opasnijim od bilo kojih predviđanja…
„Zapanjujući, dirljivi memoari o odrastanju za vrijeme rata u kojima je priča o životnim iskušenjima, trenucima radosti i ljepote protkana narodnim pričama i poezijom… Utvrda s devet kula predstavlja trijumf života.“ The Washington Post
342 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2013
187 people are currently reading
8305 people want to read
About the author
Qais Akbar Omar
5 books145 followersQais Akbar Omar (first name pronounced "Kice") is the author of A Fort of Nine Towers, which has been published in more than twenty languages, and the co-author of A Night in the Emperor’s Garden, which has been dramatized by BBC Radio. He has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Sunday Times, The Boston Globe, The Globe and Mail, The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, and he has published essays and short stories in The Southern Review, AGNI, The Hopkins Review, The Markaz Review, Guernica, Arrowsmith, Literary Hub, American Chordata, and elsewhere.
Omar was born in 1982 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He holds a BA in journalism from Kabul University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Boston University, and he was a Scholars at Risk Fellow at Harvard University in 2014–15
Omar comes from a family of carpet traders, and he served as a textiles specialist for USAID and the Asian Development Bank, helping carpet weavers across Afghanistan.
Omar was born in 1982 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He holds a BA in journalism from Kabul University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Boston University, and he was a Scholars at Risk Fellow at Harvard University in 2014–15
Omar comes from a family of carpet traders, and he served as a textiles specialist for USAID and the Asian Development Bank, helping carpet weavers across Afghanistan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 687 reviews
September 19, 2024
As an American, I find that our understanding of other countries is shaped by the media and conventional wisdom that distorts our view of world events. Only by reading does a clearer image, deeper understanding and the realization of human universal truths emerge. "A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story" by Qais Akbar Omar is one of the most powerful books I've read in years. Definitely my top book for 2013 and one that I will recommend to everyone. Omar's memoir of his family's passage through decades of civil war and unimaginable horrors was one of the most hopeful and life affirming books I have ever read. Yes, horrible tragedy occurs, but through it all the love and resilience of this family (or Afghan people) triumphs. I read this on my Nook but will buy the book and reread it so I can be reminded that behind the headlines live people that want all the same things we do...as this beautifully written book helps us understand.
March 5, 2020
"I have long carried this load of griefs in the cage of my heart. Now I have given them to you. I hope you are strong enough to hold them."
I give this book all the stars that are shining bright in the sky tonight.
I am spellbound. I am stunned. I have no words to describe the grief this book holds. I bought A Fort of Nine Towers because I am a huge Khaled Hosseini fan, and he loved it. I knew I had to buy it, and within 48 hours I finished the book and I am writing this review with a heavy heart. This is the writer, Qais Akbar Omar's real life story, his sufferings and his devastating war experience in Afghanistan. This is the first book on a true life memoir of growing up in the raging war zone of Afghanistan. A few times, I found myself smiling and crying at the same time because despite all the pain, the writer has managed to pen down his horrifying experiences on a lighter note but it speaks volumes of sadness. It truly does.
A Fort of Nine Towers is a lyrical, powerful and a harrowing memoir of one family and how the war shattered their lives. When the civil war started getting out of hands, eleven year old Qais and his family set out to their aunt's house to escape the war, but a whole lot of life changing experiences were on the way. Qais and his family live like Kuchis (nomads), they live inside the head of a huge Buddha statue, he was bitten by a dog (one more human like dog bites him later) he meets a deaf woman who becomes his teacher and teaches him everything about weaving carpets. His grandfather's wise words, his friendship with Wakeel — the love and admiration he has for them is heart warming.
Every word, every sentence left me speechless. I can not for the life of me comprehend the mental and physical traumas they must have endured. I could feel their pain, I cried when someone died. This is just one family's experience, it pains me to think about all the other families who have gone through similar grief and faced similar situations. I felt like I knew the characters personally, I could feel their traumas. I empathised with them.
A must read book for everyone who loves to read, and for everyone who does not read. I want every single person on earth to read this book to know what war does, how much destruction it causes, how someone sleeps after being bombed several times a day, to know how to go on about life after coming face to face with death at least three times, to know how to not lose hope even though death was dancing around their heads every time of every day, to know how to live a righteous life after going through years of transgression. I could go on about this book, but I will end it here. Go buy this book and I promise you, you will be overwhelmed with countless emotions.
I give this book all the stars that are shining bright in the sky tonight.
I am spellbound. I am stunned. I have no words to describe the grief this book holds. I bought A Fort of Nine Towers because I am a huge Khaled Hosseini fan, and he loved it. I knew I had to buy it, and within 48 hours I finished the book and I am writing this review with a heavy heart. This is the writer, Qais Akbar Omar's real life story, his sufferings and his devastating war experience in Afghanistan. This is the first book on a true life memoir of growing up in the raging war zone of Afghanistan. A few times, I found myself smiling and crying at the same time because despite all the pain, the writer has managed to pen down his horrifying experiences on a lighter note but it speaks volumes of sadness. It truly does.
A Fort of Nine Towers is a lyrical, powerful and a harrowing memoir of one family and how the war shattered their lives. When the civil war started getting out of hands, eleven year old Qais and his family set out to their aunt's house to escape the war, but a whole lot of life changing experiences were on the way. Qais and his family live like Kuchis (nomads), they live inside the head of a huge Buddha statue, he was bitten by a dog (one more human like dog bites him later) he meets a deaf woman who becomes his teacher and teaches him everything about weaving carpets. His grandfather's wise words, his friendship with Wakeel — the love and admiration he has for them is heart warming.
Every word, every sentence left me speechless. I can not for the life of me comprehend the mental and physical traumas they must have endured. I could feel their pain, I cried when someone died. This is just one family's experience, it pains me to think about all the other families who have gone through similar grief and faced similar situations. I felt like I knew the characters personally, I could feel their traumas. I empathised with them.
A must read book for everyone who loves to read, and for everyone who does not read. I want every single person on earth to read this book to know what war does, how much destruction it causes, how someone sleeps after being bombed several times a day, to know how to go on about life after coming face to face with death at least three times, to know how to not lose hope even though death was dancing around their heads every time of every day, to know how to live a righteous life after going through years of transgression. I could go on about this book, but I will end it here. Go buy this book and I promise you, you will be overwhelmed with countless emotions.
April 4, 2013
"I have long carried this load of griefs in the cage of my heart. Now I have given them to you. I hope you are strong enough to hold them." Qais Akbar Omar
Wow. A load of griefs is an understatement! This tale of life in Afghanistan written by one who lived through it all and triumphed is riveting. I am truly inspired by the positivity and love of life that comes through on every page in spite of the mind boggling hardships this family endured.
I laughed and I cried through this amazing life story.
Thank you Mr. Omar for this wonderful, wonderful book which I will read again and again and recommend to everyone!
April 25, 2016
"Utvrda s devet kula", Quais Akbar Omar
:)
Dragi moji knjigoljupci, ovo vam je jedna divna knjiga koju bi svi trebali pročitati! Bez obzira na vaš omiljeni žanr; bez obzira da li inače preferirate trilere, ljubavne, špijunske ili koje god romane, ovo je posebna i "jaka" knjiga koja se može preporučiti svima.
I koju će svi, sigurna sam, sa užitkom čitati od prve do posljednje stranice jer je "Utvrda s devet kula" jedna od (rijetkih) knjiga koje nas obogaćuju na razne načine.
Tako npr. kroz ovu knjigu učimo o, ne tako davnoj, povijesti Afganistana; ona nas navodi na razmišljanje o važnosti nekih stvari koje, najčešće, uzimamo "zdravo za gotovo", a koje mogu preko noći nestati i/ili se promijeniti; čitajući je , također, uviđamo i koliko su zapravo važne spone među ljudima koji nas okružuju, prvenstveno obiteljske, a ponekad i one među ljudima koji su, do određenog trenutka, bili potpuni stranci.
Što se tiče radnje, prvo moram istaknuti da je ovo istinita priča tj. autobiografija što, naravno, knjizi daje posebnu težinu i vrijednost. Quias Akbar Omar, autor, u prvom nam licu prepričava svoje odrastanje u Afganistanu pogođenim građanskim ratom u posljednjim godinama 20.st.
Ono što je meni bilo jako važno i zbog čega mi je, na neki način, bilo malo lakše čitati ovu knjigu čak i u dijelovima koji opisuju neke jako mučne i surove događaje, je sam početak knjige u kojem nam autor, ukratko daje uvid u sadašnjost; u svoj život i u život njegovih roditelja kao i braće i sestara po čemu shvaćamo da su oni preživjeli te ratne događaje o kojima ćemo čitati.
Nakon što su Sovjeti napustili Afganistan, sedmogodišnji Qais uživa u sretnom djetinjstvu u obitelji poduzetnika i intelektualaca, višeg srednjeg sloja u Kabulu u trenutku kada započinje preko deset godina novih, ratnih strahota.
Prvo dolaze "sveti ratnici"- mudžahedini kojima se narod isprva veseli, no oni se ubrzo dijele u frakcije koje se bore za prevlast nad dijelovima Kabula; kasnije dolaze talibani.. Grad postaje nesiguran te se njegova, mnogobrojna obitelj seli u sigurniji dio grada, na imanje očevog prijatelja u "Utvrdu s devet kula"po kojem je knjiga i dobila naziv.
Nakon nekog vremena ratne strahote ponovno dolaze do njih te počinje putovanje malog Quiasa, i njegove najuže obitelji, po cijelom Afganistanu, a sve kako bi pronašli barem malo mira u tim teškim, ratnim godinama.
Na svom putovanju susreću razne ljude, od neznanaca koji im nesebično pružaju pomoć, preko nomada sa kojima, također, provode jedan dio vremena putujući sa njihovom karavanom pa sve do osebujnih pojedinaca od kojih Quias sluša neobične priče, pa čak uči i neke vještine koje će njemu i obitelji pomoći u preživljavanju.
U ovom romanu izmjenjuje se ono najgore i ono najbolje od čovječanstva. Iako ova afganistanska obitelj proživljava najteže dane u svojim životima, roman obiluje elokventnim i britkim razgovorima, mudrim mislima i narodnim predajama (posebno su lijepi razgovori Quaisa i njegovog djeda) pa čak i humorom koji je, često, neophodan da bi se proživjele situacije u kojima su ljudi nemoćni jer su događanja oko njih potpuno izvan njihove kontrole.
Uprkos užasnoj tragediji koja je zadesila Afganistan, u knjizi prevladava trijumf pozitive i ljubavi i to je ono što mi se najviše sviđa kod pisanja Quais Akbar Omara.
U osvrtima na ovu knjige često se spominje Khaled Hosseini koji je bio i mentor autoru, a i sama radnja, smještena u Afganistan, podsjeća na Hosseinijeve knjige. Ali, za razliku od Hosseinijevih knjiga, koje su, apsolutno izvrsne, i kod kojih su (barem u mom slučaju) suze neizbježne, uz ovu knjigu nisam plakala iako su i ovdje opisane mnoge teške situacije.. Kao što sam prije navela, ton knjige je pozitivan pa to uvelike utječe na doživljaj tijekom čitanja, a bitna je razlika i to što su događaji opisani u ovoj knjizi istiniti.
Nakon svih užasa koje je proživio Quais Akbar Omar danas je uspješan, poslovni čovjek koji se bavi tepisima, koji su obiteljski posao i kojima je, također, protkana i ova priča.
On nije izmišljao junake svoje priče; junaci su on i njegova obitelj, prvenstveno njegov djed, majka i otac iako, kao što je i sam napisao u pogovoru, ovo je priča samo jedne afganistanske obitelji od mnogih koje je zadesila slična (a često i teža) sudbina tijekom ratnih godina.
Pa je stoga ova divna knjiga posvećena Afganistanu i njegovom narodu, svim tim "neopjevanim" herojima kao i afganistanskoj kulturi uz nadu da će, njezinim čitanjem, ljudi malo bolje shvatiti tu napaćenu zemlju o kojoj, nažalost, većina nas, ima potpuno krivu predodžbu.
Bilo je ovo jedno divno čitalačko iskustvo i, kao što sam napisala na početku, mislim da bi "Utvrdu s devet kula" trebali baš svi pročitati.
:)
Dragi moji knjigoljupci, ovo vam je jedna divna knjiga koju bi svi trebali pročitati! Bez obzira na vaš omiljeni žanr; bez obzira da li inače preferirate trilere, ljubavne, špijunske ili koje god romane, ovo je posebna i "jaka" knjiga koja se može preporučiti svima.
I koju će svi, sigurna sam, sa užitkom čitati od prve do posljednje stranice jer je "Utvrda s devet kula" jedna od (rijetkih) knjiga koje nas obogaćuju na razne načine.
Tako npr. kroz ovu knjigu učimo o, ne tako davnoj, povijesti Afganistana; ona nas navodi na razmišljanje o važnosti nekih stvari koje, najčešće, uzimamo "zdravo za gotovo", a koje mogu preko noći nestati i/ili se promijeniti; čitajući je , također, uviđamo i koliko su zapravo važne spone među ljudima koji nas okružuju, prvenstveno obiteljske, a ponekad i one među ljudima koji su, do određenog trenutka, bili potpuni stranci.
Što se tiče radnje, prvo moram istaknuti da je ovo istinita priča tj. autobiografija što, naravno, knjizi daje posebnu težinu i vrijednost. Quias Akbar Omar, autor, u prvom nam licu prepričava svoje odrastanje u Afganistanu pogođenim građanskim ratom u posljednjim godinama 20.st.
Ono što je meni bilo jako važno i zbog čega mi je, na neki način, bilo malo lakše čitati ovu knjigu čak i u dijelovima koji opisuju neke jako mučne i surove događaje, je sam početak knjige u kojem nam autor, ukratko daje uvid u sadašnjost; u svoj život i u život njegovih roditelja kao i braće i sestara po čemu shvaćamo da su oni preživjeli te ratne događaje o kojima ćemo čitati.
Nakon što su Sovjeti napustili Afganistan, sedmogodišnji Qais uživa u sretnom djetinjstvu u obitelji poduzetnika i intelektualaca, višeg srednjeg sloja u Kabulu u trenutku kada započinje preko deset godina novih, ratnih strahota.
Prvo dolaze "sveti ratnici"- mudžahedini kojima se narod isprva veseli, no oni se ubrzo dijele u frakcije koje se bore za prevlast nad dijelovima Kabula; kasnije dolaze talibani.. Grad postaje nesiguran te se njegova, mnogobrojna obitelj seli u sigurniji dio grada, na imanje očevog prijatelja u "Utvrdu s devet kula"po kojem je knjiga i dobila naziv.
Nakon nekog vremena ratne strahote ponovno dolaze do njih te počinje putovanje malog Quiasa, i njegove najuže obitelji, po cijelom Afganistanu, a sve kako bi pronašli barem malo mira u tim teškim, ratnim godinama.
Na svom putovanju susreću razne ljude, od neznanaca koji im nesebično pružaju pomoć, preko nomada sa kojima, također, provode jedan dio vremena putujući sa njihovom karavanom pa sve do osebujnih pojedinaca od kojih Quias sluša neobične priče, pa čak uči i neke vještine koje će njemu i obitelji pomoći u preživljavanju.
U ovom romanu izmjenjuje se ono najgore i ono najbolje od čovječanstva. Iako ova afganistanska obitelj proživljava najteže dane u svojim životima, roman obiluje elokventnim i britkim razgovorima, mudrim mislima i narodnim predajama (posebno su lijepi razgovori Quaisa i njegovog djeda) pa čak i humorom koji je, često, neophodan da bi se proživjele situacije u kojima su ljudi nemoćni jer su događanja oko njih potpuno izvan njihove kontrole.
Uprkos užasnoj tragediji koja je zadesila Afganistan, u knjizi prevladava trijumf pozitive i ljubavi i to je ono što mi se najviše sviđa kod pisanja Quais Akbar Omara.
U osvrtima na ovu knjige često se spominje Khaled Hosseini koji je bio i mentor autoru, a i sama radnja, smještena u Afganistan, podsjeća na Hosseinijeve knjige. Ali, za razliku od Hosseinijevih knjiga, koje su, apsolutno izvrsne, i kod kojih su (barem u mom slučaju) suze neizbježne, uz ovu knjigu nisam plakala iako su i ovdje opisane mnoge teške situacije.. Kao što sam prije navela, ton knjige je pozitivan pa to uvelike utječe na doživljaj tijekom čitanja, a bitna je razlika i to što su događaji opisani u ovoj knjizi istiniti.
Nakon svih užasa koje je proživio Quais Akbar Omar danas je uspješan, poslovni čovjek koji se bavi tepisima, koji su obiteljski posao i kojima je, također, protkana i ova priča.
On nije izmišljao junake svoje priče; junaci su on i njegova obitelj, prvenstveno njegov djed, majka i otac iako, kao što je i sam napisao u pogovoru, ovo je priča samo jedne afganistanske obitelji od mnogih koje je zadesila slična (a često i teža) sudbina tijekom ratnih godina.
Pa je stoga ova divna knjiga posvećena Afganistanu i njegovom narodu, svim tim "neopjevanim" herojima kao i afganistanskoj kulturi uz nadu da će, njezinim čitanjem, ljudi malo bolje shvatiti tu napaćenu zemlju o kojoj, nažalost, većina nas, ima potpuno krivu predodžbu.
Bilo je ovo jedno divno čitalačko iskustvo i, kao što sam napisala na početku, mislim da bi "Utvrdu s devet kula" trebali baš svi pročitati.
March 10, 2024
Titulo: El fuerte de las nueve torres
Autor: Qais Akbar Omar
Motivo de lectura: #MarzoAsiatico2024
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Mi edicion: Electronico
Puntuacion: 5/5
Estas memorias escritas por Qais Akbar Omar son de esos libros que te rompen el corazon.
Qais Akbar Omar, nacido el 18 de noviembre de 1982, en Kabul-Afganistan. Siendo muy niño aprendio el arte de tejer alfombras de su vecina sorda-muda. Pocos años despues, el opero en secreto una fabrica de alfombras desde su casa, dandole a su familia la oportunidad de un futuro.
Omar es un hombre Afgano, que siendo niño (y por 12 años) sufrio una guerra civil y la ocupacion de los talibanes en Afganistan. El autor retrata la vida familiar, el panico, la incertidumbre del mañana, la desazon, la impotencia y el dolor desgarrador de la perdida.
Este es un testimonio muy duro, Omar no intenta suavizar las cosas, o incluso ocultarte hechos. Omar habla sin tapujos, irreversiblemente, y es que considero que no hay otra manera. Esta clase de historias solo tienen una manera de ser contadas, desde el desgarro del espiritu y del corazon.
Uno podria pensar que por todo lo vivido el autor podria tener cierto resentimiento para con su tierra/cultura, pero no, no hay espacio ni para el odio, ni para el resentimiento. Ocurre todo lo contrario, Omar resalta su amor por la tierra, su cultura, su religion, su identidad.
Este es un recordatorio que Omar y su familia fueron victimas, igual que cientos de miles de familias en distintos paises de Medio Oriente. Es recordar que no todos las personas de ese origen "son el demonio", o personas que solo sirven para ataques terroristas, etc. Que maravilloso seria que las personas comenzaran a ampliar su mente, dejaran de demonizar ciertas etnias/culturas y se despojen de sus prejuicios que solo habla de una enorme ignorancia. El mensaje de Omar es simple, es el deseo de vivir en paz, en libertad, sin miedo a nada. La libertad, un valor tan fundamental, el sentido de todo.
La pluma de Qais Akbar Omar conmueve, y no pasa desapercibida. Es dura, cruda, pero necesaria para concientizar, para poder ser la voz de los que ya no estan.
Autor: Qais Akbar Omar
Motivo de lectura: #MarzoAsiatico2024
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Mi edicion: Electronico
Puntuacion: 5/5
Estas memorias escritas por Qais Akbar Omar son de esos libros que te rompen el corazon.
Qais Akbar Omar, nacido el 18 de noviembre de 1982, en Kabul-Afganistan. Siendo muy niño aprendio el arte de tejer alfombras de su vecina sorda-muda. Pocos años despues, el opero en secreto una fabrica de alfombras desde su casa, dandole a su familia la oportunidad de un futuro.
Omar es un hombre Afgano, que siendo niño (y por 12 años) sufrio una guerra civil y la ocupacion de los talibanes en Afganistan. El autor retrata la vida familiar, el panico, la incertidumbre del mañana, la desazon, la impotencia y el dolor desgarrador de la perdida.
Este es un testimonio muy duro, Omar no intenta suavizar las cosas, o incluso ocultarte hechos. Omar habla sin tapujos, irreversiblemente, y es que considero que no hay otra manera. Esta clase de historias solo tienen una manera de ser contadas, desde el desgarro del espiritu y del corazon.
Uno podria pensar que por todo lo vivido el autor podria tener cierto resentimiento para con su tierra/cultura, pero no, no hay espacio ni para el odio, ni para el resentimiento. Ocurre todo lo contrario, Omar resalta su amor por la tierra, su cultura, su religion, su identidad.
Este es un recordatorio que Omar y su familia fueron victimas, igual que cientos de miles de familias en distintos paises de Medio Oriente. Es recordar que no todos las personas de ese origen "son el demonio", o personas que solo sirven para ataques terroristas, etc. Que maravilloso seria que las personas comenzaran a ampliar su mente, dejaran de demonizar ciertas etnias/culturas y se despojen de sus prejuicios que solo habla de una enorme ignorancia. El mensaje de Omar es simple, es el deseo de vivir en paz, en libertad, sin miedo a nada. La libertad, un valor tan fundamental, el sentido de todo.
La pluma de Qais Akbar Omar conmueve, y no pasa desapercibida. Es dura, cruda, pero necesaria para concientizar, para poder ser la voz de los que ya no estan.
November 26, 2015
Qais Akbar Omar's family could be considered one of the luckier ones, living through - but largely surviving - the horrors of life in late 20th century Afghanistan. This chronicle is raw, powerful, emotional, detailed and beautifully told.
I've read a LOT of fiction set in Afghanistan over the years, so it has been quite an eye-opening experience for me to read this memoir and understand just how much of that fiction is strongly grounded in the reality of ordinary Afghani people, regardless of ethnicity or social/economic advantage.
The author acknowledges the mentorship of Khaled Hosseini, so if you're one of the multitude who (like me) has read and loved Hosseini's novels, read this next.
I've read a LOT of fiction set in Afghanistan over the years, so it has been quite an eye-opening experience for me to read this memoir and understand just how much of that fiction is strongly grounded in the reality of ordinary Afghani people, regardless of ethnicity or social/economic advantage.
The author acknowledges the mentorship of Khaled Hosseini, so if you're one of the multitude who (like me) has read and loved Hosseini's novels, read this next.
October 6, 2014
This is a book of epic proportions. It is an autobiography of a child’s upbringing in Afghanistan. The scope and the encounters are breathtaking. Despite the anguish he, his family, and his country have undergone the author writes with great tenderness.
We begin with the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Due to the chaos of the warring factions in Kabul his family are forced to leave the ancestral home – which becomes taken over by thugs. They try unsuccessfully a few times to return to their home; the results are beyond tragedy.
Page 85 (my book)
Grandfather had just survived a near encounter with death; yet he was even more devastated to know that though our house was right in front of us, we could not go in. We walked into the street. We stood there and stared at our house and said nothing.
They live for a time in a compound known by the books title (Nine Towers) – and they return back there towards the end of their long sojourn across their shattered land. They are forced to flee Kabul and the Nine Towers due to the imperilled conditions in Kabul, where rockets and bombs are hurled hither and thither between different groups. In their travels they are met at times with overwhelming kindness from strangers who provide the author and his family (his parents with their five children – three girls and two boys) with shelter and nourishment.
As conditions between the warring factions change they are forced to flee time and again to find some form of safety. For a time they reside in the Bamyan Buddha statues.
Page 169 (my book)
I had always expected I would see our Buddha again. But the storm of ignorance that has been raging in Afghanistan for so many decades smashed him to bits before I could return. I once lived inside his head. Now he lives in mine.
And in this splintered country there is extreme brutality. There is no such place as a safety zone. The Taliban provide some measure of stability (no bombs are exploding), but women can only leave the home covered in a burqa and with a male escort. However everyone is afraid to leave the house for fear of transgressing a Taliban edict. The author, as a teenager, is savagely imprisoned for over a week due to his hair style.
After the invasion in October 2001 Kabul residents are ecstatic, once again, to be able to listen to music which was forbidden by the Taliban. The author does not detail the years after 2001. This book is about the prior years. It is written with wonderful eloquence of the conversations and encounters in this most devastated on nations. We come away from this book with a clarity, and to some extent, a hopefulness. It is a searing account of his upbringing. The author writes very lyrically with a great deal of soulfulness.
We begin with the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Due to the chaos of the warring factions in Kabul his family are forced to leave the ancestral home – which becomes taken over by thugs. They try unsuccessfully a few times to return to their home; the results are beyond tragedy.
Page 85 (my book)
Grandfather had just survived a near encounter with death; yet he was even more devastated to know that though our house was right in front of us, we could not go in. We walked into the street. We stood there and stared at our house and said nothing.
They live for a time in a compound known by the books title (Nine Towers) – and they return back there towards the end of their long sojourn across their shattered land. They are forced to flee Kabul and the Nine Towers due to the imperilled conditions in Kabul, where rockets and bombs are hurled hither and thither between different groups. In their travels they are met at times with overwhelming kindness from strangers who provide the author and his family (his parents with their five children – three girls and two boys) with shelter and nourishment.
As conditions between the warring factions change they are forced to flee time and again to find some form of safety. For a time they reside in the Bamyan Buddha statues.
Page 169 (my book)
I had always expected I would see our Buddha again. But the storm of ignorance that has been raging in Afghanistan for so many decades smashed him to bits before I could return. I once lived inside his head. Now he lives in mine.
And in this splintered country there is extreme brutality. There is no such place as a safety zone. The Taliban provide some measure of stability (no bombs are exploding), but women can only leave the home covered in a burqa and with a male escort. However everyone is afraid to leave the house for fear of transgressing a Taliban edict. The author, as a teenager, is savagely imprisoned for over a week due to his hair style.
After the invasion in October 2001 Kabul residents are ecstatic, once again, to be able to listen to music which was forbidden by the Taliban. The author does not detail the years after 2001. This book is about the prior years. It is written with wonderful eloquence of the conversations and encounters in this most devastated on nations. We come away from this book with a clarity, and to some extent, a hopefulness. It is a searing account of his upbringing. The author writes very lyrically with a great deal of soulfulness.
February 27, 2019
Qais nam je ispričao divnu i dirljivu priču.Opis Afganastana nekad kad su žene radile,oblačile se europski pa do talibanskog režima kad im je sve uskraćeno.Sviđa mi je povezanost i optimizam familije,u vrlo teškim situacijama su opstali i zadržali vedar duh.
Preporuka
Preporuka
October 29, 2016
Ova knjiga očarala me svojom toplinom i optimizmom, što je zapravo nevjerojatno s obzirom na tematiku kojom se bavi. Ovo je istinita priča afganistanskog dječaka za vrijeme rata i njegova sjećanja na to grozno razdoblje povijesti. Iako spominje brojne ružne epizode koje su se dogodile njemu i njegovoj obitelji, isto tako prikazuje svoj narod kao vrlo ljubazne i skromne ljude koji su uvijek spremni pomoći jedni drugima, a obitelj im je sve na svijetu i kao ljude koji će podijeliti sa drugima zadnje komade hrane, a isto tako uživaju u plesu i zajedničkim druženjima. Tako se sa pričom o ratnim stradavanjima isprepliće priča o požrtvovnosti, glazba, želja za učenjem i puno mudrosti i strpljenja.
Moja topla preporuka :)
Moja topla preporuka :)
February 7, 2016
Toda a gente devia de ler este livro. Estou a falar a sério!
Não é um livro fácil de ler (emocionalmente) mas ao acabá-lo sinto-me enriquecida. Sinto mesmo que perdi parte de mim nesta leitura, talvez um pouco da inocência que ainda persistia em mim, mas o que ganhei é muito superior.
Este livro ficou com um pedaço de mim, mas eu fiquei com parte dele na minha mente e no meu coração.
Quando o autor no final do livro nos diz "Há muito que trago este fardo de sofrimentos aprisionado no meu coração.
Agora entreguei-to. Espero que sejas suficientemente forte para poder com ele." lembro-me que falei para o livro (não, não estou maluca...ainda) não sei se sou assim tão forte... sinceramente não sei.
******
Para mais tarde me lembrar deixo aqui dois excertos do momento em que esta história real partiu o meu coração e tive mesmo de pousar o livro para poder respirar fundo:
"Sempre pensei que os desgostos das pessoas têm três causas (...) Quererem tudo imediatamente, sem esforço; quererem mais do que aquilo de que precisam; e não se sentirem felizes com aquilo que têm. Mas agora compreendo que o maior de todos os desgostos é perdermos uma dádiva de Deus." página 286
"(...) eu acredito que, quando morremos, pelo menos uma pequena parte da nossa alma vai para dentro daquele a quem mais amávamos, tornando essa pessoa mais sábia." página 287
Não é um livro fácil de ler (emocionalmente) mas ao acabá-lo sinto-me enriquecida. Sinto mesmo que perdi parte de mim nesta leitura, talvez um pouco da inocência que ainda persistia em mim, mas o que ganhei é muito superior.
Este livro ficou com um pedaço de mim, mas eu fiquei com parte dele na minha mente e no meu coração.
Quando o autor no final do livro nos diz "Há muito que trago este fardo de sofrimentos aprisionado no meu coração.
Agora entreguei-to. Espero que sejas suficientemente forte para poder com ele." lembro-me que falei para o livro (não, não estou maluca...ainda) não sei se sou assim tão forte... sinceramente não sei.
******
Para mais tarde me lembrar deixo aqui dois excertos do momento em que esta história real partiu o meu coração e tive mesmo de pousar o livro para poder respirar fundo:
"Sempre pensei que os desgostos das pessoas têm três causas (...) Quererem tudo imediatamente, sem esforço; quererem mais do que aquilo de que precisam; e não se sentirem felizes com aquilo que têm. Mas agora compreendo que o maior de todos os desgostos é perdermos uma dádiva de Deus." página 286
"(...) eu acredito que, quando morremos, pelo menos uma pequena parte da nossa alma vai para dentro daquele a quem mais amávamos, tornando essa pessoa mais sábia." página 287
January 16, 2018
Iako njegov naziv govori drugačije, Bliski Istok mnogim se čini tako dalek, kao da nije dio našeg svijeta. No, prečesto smo svjedoci bombastičnih naslova koji govore o sukobu interesa svjetskih sila na tom području. Da, svaki dan vidimo i čujemo takve naslove, ali smo gluhi i slijepi. Ne vidimo i ne čujemo toliko tužnih ljudskih sudbina koje se kriju iza njih. One su samo ožiljak na koži onih koji su ih preživjeli, ostale je crna zemlja ušutkala.
Malenom Qaisu je djetinjstvo ukradeno na najbrutalniji mogući način. Ratom. I dok je rano djetinjstvo provodio s bratićem na krovu kuće s koje je puštao zmajeve, Qais se sada mora skrivati. Ne zato što je on nešto skrivio, već zato što ulicama Kabula prolaze ljudi kojima je dovoljan krivi pogled kako bi uputili metak prema nekome. Sveti ratnici i sukobi među njihovim frakcijama bacili su Afganistan na koljena.
Ovo mi je prva pročitana knjiga ikad u formatu memoara. I sigurno neće biti zadnja. Kao čitatelji, svakodnevno otkrivamo nove svjetove koji nisu navedeni na nijednoj geografskoj karti. S takvim jednim svijetom upoznao nas je i Qais. Upoznao nas je s ljudima za koje nijedan svjetski medij neće čuti, koje će crna zemlja progutati i utišati njihov glas. No, pojedini Afganistanci dobili su svoj glas. Qais je njihov glas.
Cijeli osvrt dostupan na: https://knjiskizmaj.wordpress.com/201...
Malenom Qaisu je djetinjstvo ukradeno na najbrutalniji mogući način. Ratom. I dok je rano djetinjstvo provodio s bratićem na krovu kuće s koje je puštao zmajeve, Qais se sada mora skrivati. Ne zato što je on nešto skrivio, već zato što ulicama Kabula prolaze ljudi kojima je dovoljan krivi pogled kako bi uputili metak prema nekome. Sveti ratnici i sukobi među njihovim frakcijama bacili su Afganistan na koljena.
Ovo mi je prva pročitana knjiga ikad u formatu memoara. I sigurno neće biti zadnja. Kao čitatelji, svakodnevno otkrivamo nove svjetove koji nisu navedeni na nijednoj geografskoj karti. S takvim jednim svijetom upoznao nas je i Qais. Upoznao nas je s ljudima za koje nijedan svjetski medij neće čuti, koje će crna zemlja progutati i utišati njihov glas. No, pojedini Afganistanci dobili su svoj glas. Qais je njihov glas.
Cijeli osvrt dostupan na: https://knjiskizmaj.wordpress.com/201...
June 23, 2016
Od dizajna naslovnice do zadnje stranice-savršeno!
Ovo je autobiografska knjiga Qais Akbar Omara,malog dječaka iz Afganistana.Sad mi je jasna uzrečica koja kaže da "život piše najbolje romane".
Od bezbrižnog djetinjstva u velikoj,imućnoj obitelji prodavača sagova,do potpunog siromaštva i talibanske diktature,put je kojim je ovaj mladi čovjek prošao.Qais je bio znatiželjan dječak, okružen ljubavlju velike obitelji,bezbrižan i zaokupljen igrom puštanja zmajeva sa svojim rođakom ,na mnogobrojnim kabulskim krovovima.
Ljubav i radost djetinjstva zamijenila su mnogobrojna neshvaćena ratovanja Mudžahedina,Rusa i Talibana.Užasno iskustvo za dječaka koji ,odrastajući u ratnim previranjima ,pokušava naći smisao svih tih strahota ,te spasiti sebe i obitelj.Vrlo gorke životne lekcije,upornost i djedova mudrost koja mu je uvijek bila nevidljiva ruka vodilja,oblikovale su uspješnog poslovnog čovjeka, koji nam prepričava ovu zanimljivu i istinitu priču.Kako i sam kaže,to je priča gotovo svakog Afganistanca,priča koju svijet treba upoznati.
Zadivljujuća,mudra,puna ljubavi i poštovanja prema bližnjima,priča zbog koje bi se mi zapadnjaci mogli i posramiti.Deset zvjezdica od mene!
Ovo je autobiografska knjiga Qais Akbar Omara,malog dječaka iz Afganistana.Sad mi je jasna uzrečica koja kaže da "život piše najbolje romane".
Od bezbrižnog djetinjstva u velikoj,imućnoj obitelji prodavača sagova,do potpunog siromaštva i talibanske diktature,put je kojim je ovaj mladi čovjek prošao.Qais je bio znatiželjan dječak, okružen ljubavlju velike obitelji,bezbrižan i zaokupljen igrom puštanja zmajeva sa svojim rođakom ,na mnogobrojnim kabulskim krovovima.
Ljubav i radost djetinjstva zamijenila su mnogobrojna neshvaćena ratovanja Mudžahedina,Rusa i Talibana.Užasno iskustvo za dječaka koji ,odrastajući u ratnim previranjima ,pokušava naći smisao svih tih strahota ,te spasiti sebe i obitelj.Vrlo gorke životne lekcije,upornost i djedova mudrost koja mu je uvijek bila nevidljiva ruka vodilja,oblikovale su uspješnog poslovnog čovjeka, koji nam prepričava ovu zanimljivu i istinitu priču.Kako i sam kaže,to je priča gotovo svakog Afganistanca,priča koju svijet treba upoznati.
Zadivljujuća,mudra,puna ljubavi i poštovanja prema bližnjima,priča zbog koje bi se mi zapadnjaci mogli i posramiti.Deset zvjezdica od mene!
January 2, 2022
‘El fuerte de las nueve torres’ nos lleva hasta Afganistán para narrarnos en primera persona la historia de la familia del autor, Qais Akbar Omar, durante varias décadas. Comienza en 1992, cuando se produjo la toma de Kabul por los muyahidines, los ‘guerreros santos’ (miembros de diferentes facciones político-militares).
Este libro, a cuyo estilo no pongo una pega, tiene sobre todo un enorme valor como testimonio. Como retrato de como era la vida en Kabul antes de la llegada de quienes la población pensaba que serían sus salvadores y esperaba con ansias; como prueba de como no fue como esperaban y quienes más sufrieron fueron los civiles. Como crónica que nos ayuda a entender el presente. Como recuerdo de todas esas personas y lugares que desaparecieron para siempre.
A pesar de la dureza de los sucesos, todo se narra desde los ojos de un niño que va creciendo y madurando, y en cuya vida por mucho que hay pérdida, peligro, dolor y fracasos, en ni un solo momento hay patetismo o recreación morbosa, como en la vida, el relato continúa y no se para por nada ni nada. Es precisamente eso, lo que poco a poco va calando en el lector, que no puede olvidar todo lo que le están contando.
Así, a través de este relato que rezuma realidad, pero con la facilidad de lectura que aporta la novelización, conoceremos la historia no solo de esta familia, sino en cierta manera, la historia reciente de todo un país y de todas sus gentes. Es difícil no quedar afectado ante una lectura donde pues buscar cada suceso, cada lugar, cada persona en internet y comprobar cuánta gente murió o lo perdió todo, cuánto quedó destrozado o poner cara a quienes causaron tanto horror.
Honestamente, tengo un conocimiento muy limitado sobre el pasado y presente de Afganistán, y algo que me ha parecido genial de esta novela es como consigue explicarte muchísima historia, cultura y costumbres de una forma cotidiana, cercana y, sobre todo, desde dentro, lo que acaba con prejuicios de todo tipo.
Es una novela de temática dura pero tan bonita y enriquecedora... que hace que lleves para siempre en el corazón a todos los miembros de esta familia. Un libro que te hace valorar todo lo que tienes y te conecta con la realidad y la actualidad (tristemente, en 2021, los talibanes volvieron a tomar el control de Afganistán). De verdad, solo puedo recomendarlo. ¡No busquéis excusas y leed esta historia pero ya!
Este libro, a cuyo estilo no pongo una pega, tiene sobre todo un enorme valor como testimonio. Como retrato de como era la vida en Kabul antes de la llegada de quienes la población pensaba que serían sus salvadores y esperaba con ansias; como prueba de como no fue como esperaban y quienes más sufrieron fueron los civiles. Como crónica que nos ayuda a entender el presente. Como recuerdo de todas esas personas y lugares que desaparecieron para siempre.
A pesar de la dureza de los sucesos, todo se narra desde los ojos de un niño que va creciendo y madurando, y en cuya vida por mucho que hay pérdida, peligro, dolor y fracasos, en ni un solo momento hay patetismo o recreación morbosa, como en la vida, el relato continúa y no se para por nada ni nada. Es precisamente eso, lo que poco a poco va calando en el lector, que no puede olvidar todo lo que le están contando.
Así, a través de este relato que rezuma realidad, pero con la facilidad de lectura que aporta la novelización, conoceremos la historia no solo de esta familia, sino en cierta manera, la historia reciente de todo un país y de todas sus gentes. Es difícil no quedar afectado ante una lectura donde pues buscar cada suceso, cada lugar, cada persona en internet y comprobar cuánta gente murió o lo perdió todo, cuánto quedó destrozado o poner cara a quienes causaron tanto horror.
Honestamente, tengo un conocimiento muy limitado sobre el pasado y presente de Afganistán, y algo que me ha parecido genial de esta novela es como consigue explicarte muchísima historia, cultura y costumbres de una forma cotidiana, cercana y, sobre todo, desde dentro, lo que acaba con prejuicios de todo tipo.
Es una novela de temática dura pero tan bonita y enriquecedora... que hace que lleves para siempre en el corazón a todos los miembros de esta familia. Un libro que te hace valorar todo lo que tienes y te conecta con la realidad y la actualidad (tristemente, en 2021, los talibanes volvieron a tomar el control de Afganistán). De verdad, solo puedo recomendarlo. ¡No busquéis excusas y leed esta historia pero ya!
October 7, 2017
KUMSKI BOOK CLUB READING CHALLENGE 2017 - 7
(a book that is set in the Middle East)
Kad sam počela čitati ovu knjigu iskreno nije mi se svidjela. Činila se kao i svaka druga knjiga koja opisuje život u Afganistanu, a ja valjda nisam bila raspoložena za te teme. Razvlačila sam ju par dana dok se nisu počele događati drugačije, zanimljive situacije i do samog kraja sam uživala u čitanju.
Knjiga je autobiografija samog autora Qaisa Akbara Omara. On opisuje svoj život i život svoje obitelji od dana kad su istjerali Ruse iz Afganistana, kroz vladavinu mudžahedina i talibana pa sve do odlaska talibana. Iako su svi ti događaji utjecali na njegov život, donekle su u drugom planu.
Qais pripovjeda divne priče o njihovom putovanju kroz Afganistan, o umjetnosti tkanja predivnih sagova koju je naučio, o Budama iz Bamijana u čijim su stijenama živjeli neko vrijeme dok su Bude još postojale, o tome kako su živjeli s nomadima Kučijima koje su on i njegova sestra učili čitati i pisati.
Kao i u svim ostalim knjigama iz tog podneblja, i ovaj autor naglašava obrazovanje kao nešto jako važno te se trudi širiti svoje svjetonazore među drugim ljudima.
Kao i uvijek kad pročitam takvu knjigu, zahvalna sam što živim u zemlji u kojoj se ipak prepoznaje važnost obrazovanja, u kojoj žene imaj jednaka prava kao i muškarci i u kojoj (iako se nama možda čini da pravosuđe ne funkcionira baš dobro) ne kažnjavaju ljude kamenovanjem i rezanjem udova. I zbog toga sam zahvalna.
(a book that is set in the Middle East)
Kad sam počela čitati ovu knjigu iskreno nije mi se svidjela. Činila se kao i svaka druga knjiga koja opisuje život u Afganistanu, a ja valjda nisam bila raspoložena za te teme. Razvlačila sam ju par dana dok se nisu počele događati drugačije, zanimljive situacije i do samog kraja sam uživala u čitanju.
Knjiga je autobiografija samog autora Qaisa Akbara Omara. On opisuje svoj život i život svoje obitelji od dana kad su istjerali Ruse iz Afganistana, kroz vladavinu mudžahedina i talibana pa sve do odlaska talibana. Iako su svi ti događaji utjecali na njegov život, donekle su u drugom planu.
Qais pripovjeda divne priče o njihovom putovanju kroz Afganistan, o umjetnosti tkanja predivnih sagova koju je naučio, o Budama iz Bamijana u čijim su stijenama živjeli neko vrijeme dok su Bude još postojale, o tome kako su živjeli s nomadima Kučijima koje su on i njegova sestra učili čitati i pisati.
Kao i u svim ostalim knjigama iz tog podneblja, i ovaj autor naglašava obrazovanje kao nešto jako važno te se trudi širiti svoje svjetonazore među drugim ljudima.
Kao i uvijek kad pročitam takvu knjigu, zahvalna sam što živim u zemlji u kojoj se ipak prepoznaje važnost obrazovanja, u kojoj žene imaj jednaka prava kao i muškarci i u kojoj (iako se nama možda čini da pravosuđe ne funkcionira baš dobro) ne kažnjavaju ljude kamenovanjem i rezanjem udova. I zbog toga sam zahvalna.
February 28, 2023
Una historia dura y complicada en la que me costó un poquito entrar.
Cuando empiezo a leer libros de este tipo, los cojo con la idea que voy a leer sufrimiento. Y si, ha sido así, pero no en todo el libro.
Qais nos va a contar su historia y la de su familia en el conflicto de Afganistán desde que era pequeño hasta su vida adulta. En la parte del principio cuando es niño, aunque nos cuenta momentos duros, no me han removido tanto como yo pensaba...Cuando continúa, narrando su vida, y ya llega a la adolescencia y a la vida adulta, es cuando más me ha impactado lo que ha contado. No sé si por la cercanía en edad, o porque sus recuerdos y sensaciones de esto son más exactos y afectan más al lector.
Ha sido una historia que he disfrutado mucho. Dura, pero que os recomiendo. Los libros basados en hechos reales suelen ser apuesta segura para mi 😉
Cuando empiezo a leer libros de este tipo, los cojo con la idea que voy a leer sufrimiento. Y si, ha sido así, pero no en todo el libro.
Qais nos va a contar su historia y la de su familia en el conflicto de Afganistán desde que era pequeño hasta su vida adulta. En la parte del principio cuando es niño, aunque nos cuenta momentos duros, no me han removido tanto como yo pensaba...Cuando continúa, narrando su vida, y ya llega a la adolescencia y a la vida adulta, es cuando más me ha impactado lo que ha contado. No sé si por la cercanía en edad, o porque sus recuerdos y sensaciones de esto son más exactos y afectan más al lector.
Ha sido una historia que he disfrutado mucho. Dura, pero que os recomiendo. Los libros basados en hechos reales suelen ser apuesta segura para mi 😉
July 28, 2013
I just finished A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story by Qais Akbar Omar and gave it 5 stars.
This nonfiction, heart wrenching story is a MUST READ for all. I say this because it gives a crystal clear perspective of life in Afghanistan during the civil war and, the aftermath. Mr. Akbar's journey is harrowing yet unforgettable.
This book needs to be read in schools around the world bc I believe it will change people. It will open their eyes to the true history of Afghanistan and the suffering and injustices that have been endured.
These stories will stay with me forever.
This nonfiction, heart wrenching story is a MUST READ for all. I say this because it gives a crystal clear perspective of life in Afghanistan during the civil war and, the aftermath. Mr. Akbar's journey is harrowing yet unforgettable.
This book needs to be read in schools around the world bc I believe it will change people. It will open their eyes to the true history of Afghanistan and the suffering and injustices that have been endured.
These stories will stay with me forever.
January 2, 2020
A good read!
Preporuka
Preporuka
July 1, 2013
It's difficult to even imagine what life is like in a country ravaged by constant civil war, government coups, and militant uprising. Certainly, the United States is not perfect. We have our own sources of strife and political upheaval, but we can all pray to our respective deities that the horrors of Afghanistan have not yet found its way to our city streets on the scale that Afghanis face on a daily basis. When a trip to the store for milk means possibly never seeing one's family ever again, checking one's Facebook or Twitter status or catching the new Brad Pitt movie becomes increasingly insignificant.
Sadly, for many Americans, Afghanistan burst onto the radar in a big way on Sept. 11, 2001. We all suddenly learned a lot more about Afghanistan that day, but it was unfortunately behind a filtered lens of retribution and anger. Many of us forgot (or chose to ignore) the fact that our war was not necessarily with the Afghani people but rather the backwards-thinking cave-dwelling militant fundamentalists led and financed by Osama bin Laden. Even the majority of Afghani citizens detested bin Laden and the group known as the Taliban.
Qais Akbar Omar's beautifully written memoir "A Fort of Nine Towers" joins a steadily-growing oeuvre of literature about Afghanistan targeted toward American readers. Like Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner", Qaisr's memoir is a personal account of his experience growing up in the tumultuous country of Afghanistan, and specifically the city of Kabul, made all the more powerful by the fact that it is non-fiction.
Growing up, young Qais (it rhymes with "rice") saw the aftermath of the Russian invasion and the rise of the Mujahadin, a group of rebels who may have started with good intentions but quickly devolved into the killings and bombings for which it became notorious. Qais and his many siblings were forced to watch as family members and friends slowly left the country or were killed by sporadic bombings and gunfire. Qais's father, a well-to-do carpet seller, was forced out of business when his factory and shop were destroyed by a fire caused by a stray missile. The Omar family soon found themselves nomads, wandering the desert and going from city to city to find food and shelter.
In later years, Qais watched as the fundamentalist group known as the Taliban (hated by most Afghanis as uneducated country folk) came to power and created strict laws that may have reduced crime but also increased misery. Imagine the Westboro Baptist Church taking over the U.S. government and instituting strict laws (everything from banning any non-Christian books or movies from libraries and schools, making homosexuality punishable by death, and forbidding women to leave the house), and you pretty much get the idea of what life was like in Afghanistan.
The most striking thing about Qais's account is the love and familial bonds that kept the family going. Indeed, the charity and open arms that the Omar family encountered from distant relatives and even total strangers is what keeps the reader turning the pages and keeps the bleakness and utter despair of the family's situation from becoming too daunting.
Sadly, for many Americans, Afghanistan burst onto the radar in a big way on Sept. 11, 2001. We all suddenly learned a lot more about Afghanistan that day, but it was unfortunately behind a filtered lens of retribution and anger. Many of us forgot (or chose to ignore) the fact that our war was not necessarily with the Afghani people but rather the backwards-thinking cave-dwelling militant fundamentalists led and financed by Osama bin Laden. Even the majority of Afghani citizens detested bin Laden and the group known as the Taliban.
Qais Akbar Omar's beautifully written memoir "A Fort of Nine Towers" joins a steadily-growing oeuvre of literature about Afghanistan targeted toward American readers. Like Khaled Hosseini's novel "The Kite Runner", Qaisr's memoir is a personal account of his experience growing up in the tumultuous country of Afghanistan, and specifically the city of Kabul, made all the more powerful by the fact that it is non-fiction.
Growing up, young Qais (it rhymes with "rice") saw the aftermath of the Russian invasion and the rise of the Mujahadin, a group of rebels who may have started with good intentions but quickly devolved into the killings and bombings for which it became notorious. Qais and his many siblings were forced to watch as family members and friends slowly left the country or were killed by sporadic bombings and gunfire. Qais's father, a well-to-do carpet seller, was forced out of business when his factory and shop were destroyed by a fire caused by a stray missile. The Omar family soon found themselves nomads, wandering the desert and going from city to city to find food and shelter.
In later years, Qais watched as the fundamentalist group known as the Taliban (hated by most Afghanis as uneducated country folk) came to power and created strict laws that may have reduced crime but also increased misery. Imagine the Westboro Baptist Church taking over the U.S. government and instituting strict laws (everything from banning any non-Christian books or movies from libraries and schools, making homosexuality punishable by death, and forbidding women to leave the house), and you pretty much get the idea of what life was like in Afghanistan.
The most striking thing about Qais's account is the love and familial bonds that kept the family going. Indeed, the charity and open arms that the Omar family encountered from distant relatives and even total strangers is what keeps the reader turning the pages and keeps the bleakness and utter despair of the family's situation from becoming too daunting.
July 27, 2014
Whew! This is Qais detailing his life in Afghanistan from about 1992 until just recently. He is 10 at the beginning and his family lives in Kabul in his Grandfather's house/ compound. No further synopsis, just a reaction.
Finally, I have some idea about the real crux of Afghanistan's instability and decades of war. Civil War prime actually, with more than just a couple of opponents is only one set of factors. And not based in just religious differences at all, but also in tribal, economic, cultural, mores and manners clash.
Sounding like a beautiful physical environment in different climates, and filled with families of close attachment and dedication to blood connection- STILL, there is such uncertainty underpinning all.
The journey that this family takes to stay together, stay alive, and try to leave Afghanistan itself- well, it is beyond my describing ability. Three steps backward for even one forward. Readers need strong stomach to get through times when Qais and his father get caught in different factions' nets. While trying to retrieve from their own former home yet.
It's a memoir that purely glows with sharp eyes and poetic imagination within the most difficult of harrowing and impossible to foresee outcomes.
This book was not recommended to me but found without any previewing or trailer read on the "New" shelf and taken without any idea that it would be this illuminating. This is a must read to Middle Eastern (Palestine, Syria, Libya absolutely) base conflict understanding, as well as Afghan War perception. It's not just from the outside in or ideologue movement, or faith based difference; it's far more complex.
If there was a sixth star rating, this one would get it.
Finally, I have some idea about the real crux of Afghanistan's instability and decades of war. Civil War prime actually, with more than just a couple of opponents is only one set of factors. And not based in just religious differences at all, but also in tribal, economic, cultural, mores and manners clash.
Sounding like a beautiful physical environment in different climates, and filled with families of close attachment and dedication to blood connection- STILL, there is such uncertainty underpinning all.
The journey that this family takes to stay together, stay alive, and try to leave Afghanistan itself- well, it is beyond my describing ability. Three steps backward for even one forward. Readers need strong stomach to get through times when Qais and his father get caught in different factions' nets. While trying to retrieve from their own former home yet.
It's a memoir that purely glows with sharp eyes and poetic imagination within the most difficult of harrowing and impossible to foresee outcomes.
This book was not recommended to me but found without any previewing or trailer read on the "New" shelf and taken without any idea that it would be this illuminating. This is a must read to Middle Eastern (Palestine, Syria, Libya absolutely) base conflict understanding, as well as Afghan War perception. It's not just from the outside in or ideologue movement, or faith based difference; it's far more complex.
If there was a sixth star rating, this one would get it.
June 1, 2014
Não é um livro de fácil digestão e talvez por isso tenha demorado tanto tempo a lê-lo. Ao retratar as últimas três décadas da história recente do Afeganistão, com epicentro em Cabul, nesta autobiografia o autor coloca-nos perante a crueldade e desumanidade que um cenário de guerra alimenta.
Está é a história de um menino que se faz adolescente e homem durante sucessivos conflitos, que o levaram a si e à sua numerosa família numa fuga mal sucedida por todo o Afeganistão.
Faz-nos pensar que o nosso conceito contemporâneo de "liberdade" enquanto ocidentais em nada se assemelha aos desejos e aspirações destes povos islâmicos, sucessivamente paralisados pela guerra, política ou religião.
É uma história simples, que, como o próprio afirma, podia ser a história de qualquer família afegã que permaneceu na sua pátria durante a(s) guerra(s). Não é uma história fácil porque é verdadeira, aconteceu mesmo e não devia ter acontecido.
Está é a história de um menino que se faz adolescente e homem durante sucessivos conflitos, que o levaram a si e à sua numerosa família numa fuga mal sucedida por todo o Afeganistão.
Faz-nos pensar que o nosso conceito contemporâneo de "liberdade" enquanto ocidentais em nada se assemelha aos desejos e aspirações destes povos islâmicos, sucessivamente paralisados pela guerra, política ou religião.
É uma história simples, que, como o próprio afirma, podia ser a história de qualquer família afegã que permaneceu na sua pátria durante a(s) guerra(s). Não é uma história fácil porque é verdadeira, aconteceu mesmo e não devia ter acontecido.
May 29, 2014
"I have long carried this load of griefs in the cage of my heart. Now I have given them to you. I hope you are strong enough to hold them." Qais Akbar Omar
Qasis shares his unforgettable story of a simple loving family and a country in endless turmoil and conflict. His family is torn apart by the destruction war brings as well as its hideous atrocities committed against its own people based on religious and tribal differences.
Afghanistan is a country misunderstood and its culture is suffering at the hands of discord. Qasis writes with honesty and openness. His story is affecting as well as inspirational serving an example of resilience. A family among many impacted by the endless and long suffering of a country at odds. A must read for all to become aware of what is happening in this country often under a veil of intrigue.
May 5, 2021
Não consigo descrever este livro. Faltam me as palavras. A única coisa que sei, é que é um dos melhores livros que li até hoje.
"Há muito que trago este fardo de sofrimentos aprisionado no meu coração.
Agora entreguei-to. Espero que sejas suficientemente forte para poder com ele."
Qais akbar Omar
É um grito de alma.
"Há muito que trago este fardo de sofrimentos aprisionado no meu coração.
Agora entreguei-to. Espero que sejas suficientemente forte para poder com ele."
Qais akbar Omar
É um grito de alma.
September 25, 2021
Read for book club …. Really good !!
Twenty-three years ago―after the Soviets left and before the Taliban came to power―Kabul was a garden where seven-year-old Qais Akbar Omar flew kites from the roof of his grandfather's house. Then came the hollow sounds of rocket fire as the Mujahedin, self-proclaimed holy warriors, took over Afghanistan, and the country erupted in civil war. Omar's family fled, leaving everything behind to take shelter in an old fort. But after a narrow escape from death, his father decided that the family must leave the country.
Yet the journey proved more difficult than anticipated, and in this memoir, Omar offers a moving recollection of these events―a story of daily hardships, relieved by moments of joy and immense beauty. Inflected with folktales and steeped in poetry, A Fort of Nine Towers is a life-affirming triumph.
Twenty-three years ago―after the Soviets left and before the Taliban came to power―Kabul was a garden where seven-year-old Qais Akbar Omar flew kites from the roof of his grandfather's house. Then came the hollow sounds of rocket fire as the Mujahedin, self-proclaimed holy warriors, took over Afghanistan, and the country erupted in civil war. Omar's family fled, leaving everything behind to take shelter in an old fort. But after a narrow escape from death, his father decided that the family must leave the country.
Yet the journey proved more difficult than anticipated, and in this memoir, Omar offers a moving recollection of these events―a story of daily hardships, relieved by moments of joy and immense beauty. Inflected with folktales and steeped in poetry, A Fort of Nine Towers is a life-affirming triumph.
December 19, 2021
Huh, mikä kertomus yhden afganistalaisperheen kokemuksista kolmen viimeksi kuluneen vuosikymmenen aikana. Kirjoittajan sanoin: "Pitkään olen kantanut tätä surujen taakkaa sydämeni häkissä. Nyt olen antanut sen sinulle. Toivon, että olet kyllin vahva kantamaan sitä."
October 6, 2014
I read a review of this book that said, "if you read only one book this summer, make it this one" . I heeded that advice and I am so glad I did. The author, Quais Akbar Omar, writes of growing up in a country that has been ravaged by war for years. His writing style is simple and beautiful, poetic at times. The tale that he tells of his familiy's survival adventures are amazing, horrifying, inspiring and unforgettable. His father and mother are nothing short of heroic. I always thought of Afghanistan as a violent, war torn country, but it is easy to forget that the majority of the people there, just like anywhere, just want to make a living, raise their families and live in peace. It is sad that the fanaticism and aggression of a few, make the lives of innocent people so hellish. I loved this book. I hope lots of people read it. You can hear the author being interviewed on The Diane Reames Show on PBS.org.
Read
April 15, 2022an incredibly important, moving and eye opening book about the authors experience growing up in Afghanistan during the past tumultuous decades
Books like these are so so important and I can safely say I’ve come away from this book with a deeper understanding of the beauty and kindness in Afghan culture
It’s harrowing and heartbreaking but it’s an incredibly essential story to be told and listened to
Books like these are so so important and I can safely say I’ve come away from this book with a deeper understanding of the beauty and kindness in Afghan culture
It’s harrowing and heartbreaking but it’s an incredibly essential story to be told and listened to
May 28, 2016
Odlicna knjiga i za svaku prepuruku!
January 21, 2019
This book will leave you speechless. Speechless.
August 5, 2018
Knjiga o tome šta se dešavalo u Afganistanu tokom građanskog rata, a potom po dolasku talibana, ispričano iz perspektive čovjeka koji je sve to preživio. Knjiga o ratu, smrti, nasilju, ali i o onoj lijepoj strani života, o ljubavi, porodici, odanosti.
Qais je samo dječak kada sve to počinje. Iznenada se lagodan život pretvara u selidbe i neprestano pokušavanje da se ode iz svog tog haosa. Međutim, bezuspješno. Sve vrijeme ostaju u Afganistanu, a većinu vremena u Kabulu. Qais se dosta puta nalazi u naizgled bezizlaznim situacijama. Mnogo puta je, sa ocem ili djedom, uhvaćen, mučen ili tjeran na okrutan rad, a jedno vrijeme, tokom vladavine talibana, provodi i u zatvoru jer je prekršio neko smiješno pravilo koje su nametnuli.
Ovo je priča samo jedne porodice, od koje je većina preživjela. Toliko ima drugih priča, neispričanih i sa tužnijom sudbinom, kao, uostalom, i u svakom ratu. Bez obzira na sve okrutne stvari, uz koje ćete sigurno suosjećati kao i ja, mnogo je lijepih priča satkano u ovu knjigu. Priča o tome kako Qais uči da tka tepihe od gluhonijeme učiteljice, te o tome kako ih to njegovo znanje poslije spasi od finansijske propasti. Mnogobrojne priče njegove velike porodice, njihove sloge i odanosti. Mudrosti koje uči od svog djeda...
Mislim da ova knjiga objašnjava mnogo stvari i daje jednu lijepu sliku o Islamu kroz Qaisovu porodicu. Čitatelj može usporediti tu i onu drugu, ekstremnu, stranu koju neki nameću, stranu gdje vjera sasvim prestaje, gdje počinje nešto strašno i nimalo vezano za Islam.
Rat je, neminovno, strašan. Strašne stvari se događaju. Mnoge su opisane u ovoj knjizi. Neki ljudi su sposobni za stvari koje ne možemo ni zamisliti. Sa mnogo ožiljaka koje nosi iz rata, Qais nam ipak daje i onu pozitivnu stranu života, gdje su ga sva iskustva i djetinjstvo kakvo nije priželjkivao i zaslužio, naučila istinskoj vrijednosti življenja.
Qais je samo dječak kada sve to počinje. Iznenada se lagodan život pretvara u selidbe i neprestano pokušavanje da se ode iz svog tog haosa. Međutim, bezuspješno. Sve vrijeme ostaju u Afganistanu, a većinu vremena u Kabulu. Qais se dosta puta nalazi u naizgled bezizlaznim situacijama. Mnogo puta je, sa ocem ili djedom, uhvaćen, mučen ili tjeran na okrutan rad, a jedno vrijeme, tokom vladavine talibana, provodi i u zatvoru jer je prekršio neko smiješno pravilo koje su nametnuli.
Ovo je priča samo jedne porodice, od koje je većina preživjela. Toliko ima drugih priča, neispričanih i sa tužnijom sudbinom, kao, uostalom, i u svakom ratu. Bez obzira na sve okrutne stvari, uz koje ćete sigurno suosjećati kao i ja, mnogo je lijepih priča satkano u ovu knjigu. Priča o tome kako Qais uči da tka tepihe od gluhonijeme učiteljice, te o tome kako ih to njegovo znanje poslije spasi od finansijske propasti. Mnogobrojne priče njegove velike porodice, njihove sloge i odanosti. Mudrosti koje uči od svog djeda...
Mislim da ova knjiga objašnjava mnogo stvari i daje jednu lijepu sliku o Islamu kroz Qaisovu porodicu. Čitatelj može usporediti tu i onu drugu, ekstremnu, stranu koju neki nameću, stranu gdje vjera sasvim prestaje, gdje počinje nešto strašno i nimalo vezano za Islam.
Rat je, neminovno, strašan. Strašne stvari se događaju. Mnoge su opisane u ovoj knjizi. Neki ljudi su sposobni za stvari koje ne možemo ni zamisliti. Sa mnogo ožiljaka koje nosi iz rata, Qais nam ipak daje i onu pozitivnu stranu života, gdje su ga sva iskustva i djetinjstvo kakvo nije priželjkivao i zaslužio, naučila istinskoj vrijednosti življenja.
abandoned
May 18, 2024This is not my usual kind of book but was selected by my Book Group (Book Discussion Scheme) - my first reaction was “not Afghanistan again!” having already waded through And The Mountains Echoed a few months ago for the same group.
I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but when at age 11 the protagonist is forced to watch a gang rape having already been exposed to a ditch full of heads and hear about the horrific things men do to one another, realised that 105 pages of this misery is enough. The writing isn’t even good: “this happened, and then this happened and then we did this…” I don’t understand why this has so many 5 stars.
Abandoned with relief.
I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but when at age 11 the protagonist is forced to watch a gang rape having already been exposed to a ditch full of heads and hear about the horrific things men do to one another, realised that 105 pages of this misery is enough. The writing isn’t even good: “this happened, and then this happened and then we did this…” I don’t understand why this has so many 5 stars.
Abandoned with relief.
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