The Last Kestrel

by Jill McGivering

Two strong women. Two cultures. One unifying survival. Ellen Thomas, experienced war correspondent, returns to Afghanistan's dangerous Helmand Province on assignment, keen to find the murderer of her friend and translator, Jalil. In her search for justice in a land ravaged by death and destruction, she uncovers disturbing truths. Hasina, forced by tradition into the role of wife and mother, lives in a village which is taken by British Forces. Her only son, Aref, is part of a network of underground fighters and she is determined to protect him, whatever the cost. Ellen and Hasina are thrown together - one fighting for survival, the other searching for truth - with devastating consequences for them both. The Last Kestrel is a deeply moving and lyrical story of disparate lives - innocent and not-so-innocent - caught up in the horrors of war. It is a book which will resonate with fans of The Kite Runner and The Bookseller of Kabul.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, War

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Jill McGivering has worked in journalism for 25 years. She is currently a senior foreign news journalist with the BBC having previously held the position of South Asia Correspondent (based in Delhi). Now based in London, she travels extensively for the BBC including assignments to Afghanistan and China. She has already written non-fiction, short fiction and plays. Her first novel, THE LAST KESTREL, publ Aug 2010, is set in Afghanistan. Her second, FAR FROM MY FATHER'S HOUSE, publ August 2011, is set in North-West Pakistan.

Reviews

[Jill McGivering · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first novel - please do read it! It's set in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and pits an experienced female war correspondent (Ellen Thomas) against an Afghan female villager whose home is destroyed by Western troops. My work as a BBC News Correspondent has taken me often to Afghanistan. I wanted to write about the impact of the current conflict on "ordinary" people, especially women, and also about the gulf in understanding between Afghans and foreign forces from the West...

[Mary Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill is a first class journalist. By reading The Last Kestrel I discovered she is also a first class novelist. She translates what is so human, intelligent and compassionate about her journalism into beautiful storytelling. I was gripped from the start. The characters dance off the page, and she took me into the hearts of others people lives, tragedies and adventures.

[Success · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say Jill McGivering's novel, "The Last Kestrel" has ticked all the boxes for a great novel. I noticed that this is her first novel and, boy did she do an amazing job- she deserves my 5 stars.
The paperback book got me hooked at the beginning when Jalil, the Afghanistan translator was led out in the desert and shot in the head by a killer whom later in the end,was found to be *******.

Though the characters are fictitious, you gradually get carried away by each character's personality, and your emotions get involved also with each one.

I personally loved the whole story, and I think Karam's fate at the minefield was well and truely deserved.
Its sad Aref lost both of his parents but at the end, Jalil's mother gets to care for Aref for at least a month, so hopefully it gives enough time for them to grow close to each other to make up for each of their loss.
It would be interesting to see how Aref and Jalil's family have turned out- thats if Jill McGivering does write the book as a series.
All in all, it was a great novel, and I wish Jill all the best in her Journalist carrier.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just wondering why every book set in Afganistan is now likened to The Kite Runner? Ok, the scenery is the same but there the similarity ends. To my mind the biggest disservice a publisher can do to an author is boast "An impressive first novel ...that fans of The Kite Runner will love." If I hadn't been continually comparing it , and finding it lacking , I might have enjoyed it more. Yet again, I have read a book, set in Afganistan, that is nothing like The Kite Runner and nowhere near as good. Please publishers, stop doing this to us Khaled Hosseini fans.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sometimes disturbing story of survival in Afghanistan and the tragic loss of lives. Ellen, the journalist, was hoping for a great story based on truth but could she tell the whole truth?
Thanks also to the author Jill for her efforts as a foreign correspondent in Afghanistan and her skills as an author.

[Marcia Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through a delicate weaving of the intricate realities in Afghanistan, Jill McGivering's debut novel draws a route of love, sacrifices and idealism. There is enough action and suspense from the first page onwards, and the book is one not be be put aside.
Instead of an impersonal report or a bias constructed paradigm, her tale is one of fully developed characters with difficult choices to make. Secrets better untold develop their own bodies and can no longer be contained. Every page is a crossroad of life and death.
She writes with the heart of a mother willing to sacrifice everything for her son's life and the mind of a strong willing reporter eager to unveil the truth. Instead of taking sides you pace your breath with that of the characters, and walk in their shoes for a mile or two.
Although very different and unable to understand each other's languages, the women communicate through their silence, their pain and their souls. They share the same level of perception and are not fooled by appearances. One is on the verge of losing everything whilst the other is inspired by a friend's unexplained execution. In a world where you can trust no one, they might just learn more about themselves. Is it their own reflection they see in each other's eyes? The synesthetic experiences they are able to share from their different points of view are the only weapons they have against bombs and conspiracy.



Please to meet you, Jill MacGivering. Hoping to read more!

[Molly Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mesmerized by this dark, gritty, utterly gripping novel about Afghanistan. Couldn't put it down for the last 150 pages or so, as it headed in an unexpected direction toward an ending that was richer for being anything but simple. Most of the story is told through the eyes of a celebrated British foreign correspondent, with descriptive flair that brings the landscape almost uncomfortably close at hand. But the sections that are told from the point of view of an Afghan mother are equally vivid and compelling. I find I can no longer read news accounts of the war with the same detachment as before after reading this book.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

A debut book and I am eagerly awaiting the follow up.

[Leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

a compassionate look at how two women's lives have been affected by the war in Afghanistan.

[Jasmine Whitmire · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Last Kestrel" is a realistic fiction that details the crossing paths of Ellen Thomas, a British news correspondent stationed in Afghanistan, and Hasina, a middle-aged Afghan woman. From the start of the novel, Ellen is already on her own personal mission of discovering the truth behind the death of her friend and colleague, Jalil. Hasina, on the other hand, is trying to protect and care for her young son, Aref, who she learns is involved in dangerous activities. While both of these women are on their own journey's, the raging war in Afghanistan cannot be ignored. The effects of the war are soon felt when a suicide bomber attacks Hasina's village, forcing everyone to flee. However, she stays. The troops Ellen is stationed with quickly retaliates with a bomb of their own. Hasina is then discovered in the rubble by Ellen, beginning her quest for the truth. As Ellen and Hasina grow closer, Ellen soon reveals disturbing details about those around her and Jalil's death. Meanwhile, Hasina's life starts to crumble before her eyes.
One prominent cultural difference I found in this novel was the importance and incorporation of religion into Afghan people's lives and society. I noticed the Afghan natives in this novel consistently turned to religion, or Allah, to serve as a reasoning or cause for almost everything. Even in the last few pages, Ellen, a British native, turned to Allah for guidance. Half of the time it seemed as though religion was used in a comforting, reassuring way but in many instances it was used to justify disturbing acts such as murder and suicide. While religion is an important value in many American's lives, it is rarely used to justify immoral acts.
The author's purpose of writing this text is to show the effects war has on civilians of the country under attack, while also showing how the aggressor can learn to empathize and understand them. For example, the effects from the bombings in Nayullah and Helmand justify the Afghan's strong hatred and negative view of the military due to the constant fear they have for their life, as the military has continuously destroyed their villages and homes. However, as Ellen sees first hand effects the war has had on the Afghan people's lives (the bombing of Helmand, Hasina's dying son), she forms a deep understanding and empathetic nature towards them which drives her to help them as much as she can.
I believe there are multiple themes in this novel but an obvious one would be that empathy for others is a powerful tool. This is a theme because from Ellen's character she continuously tried to understand and see things from the point of view of the Afghans which allowed her to to save a life in the end. For example, as soon as her troops bombed Helmand, killing Hasina's nieces and nephews, Ellen was disturbed by the event for a while afterwards. From this event alone, Ellen was still skeptical of the Afghans but understood why they felt the way they did about the military. Her empathy even lead her to question and betray those in power (Commander Mack), which helped her uncover the truth.
I would definitely recommend "The Last Kestrel". Its a great read for those wanting to understand the effects of the Afghanistan War on the Afghans. By having the point of view from a european native and Afghan, this allows the reader to see things from the perspectives of each side, which is vital to fully understanding the feelings each group has towards another. One flaw with this novel would be the writing. The writing was a bit awkward and didn't quite flow well a lot of the time but the engaging plot and courageous characters made up for it.

[Deane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who would want to go to Afghanistan? Ellen Thomas is a war correspondent so she is there on assignment with a personal goal of finding out who killed her favourite young Afghan language translator, Jalil. She also has a demanding editor who was insisting upon a true story of what is really going on in this strange land....in the end, her hands are tied about how much truth can be told about the British Army.
Everywhere in the area that the British have conquered is hot, dirty, houses with packed sand floors, poor sanitation, so many rules for women, Afghan men urging the young sons to be human bombs so they will be called martyrs and their families would be so proud and honoured.
I found the novel very sad and I felt bad for those poor villagers who were bombed, children killed, betrayal among the Afghans, British Army leaders paying the betrayers to do more harm among their own people so the Taliban would be blamed.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Kestrel is the first novel written by Jill McGivering and wow, what a gripping story she wrote. It is told from. many points of view with clear eyed humanity. Set in Afghanistan with the British forces on the mission to sway the peoples hearts against the Taliban. The complex
problems of a country at war for thirty years strains every person caught in that place.The heat of the desert and cold at night,primitive mud dabbed houses,the money made on poppies,the British occupation, the bombs and death frame the intense Afganistan peoples will to endure. This clever little book humanized each character and made me reflect how alike people are, wherever they are. and confirms that war truly is a massive torture and waste.

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -Somewhat unrealistic, no? That a journalist could wander off on her own constantly, disappearing for hours on end in a war zone. The ending was a bit abrupt...how did they get Aref out of there and into the city? I also find it hard to believe that Hasina would leave her son behind, sick and near death.
Anyway, it was entertaining enough considering it was a first novel.

[Trish Silvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

feel the fear the sweat heat and pain

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this book, wish it had been longer

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, "Good Read".

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly engaging novel I couldn't put down.

In Jill McGiverings engaging novel she draws the reader into a poignant story bringing two cultures together. Senior VP Foreign News Correspondent with the BBC, McGivering has spent time in Afghanistan and using the knowledge she has gained in the telling of this tale.

War correspondent Ellen Thomas is on assignment in Helmand Province one of Afghanistan’s many dangerous locations. She has two separate agendas on this trip; investigate the murder of her long time friend and translator Jalil and write a public interest story on the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Ellen tags along with the British Forces as they take over a small town in the midst of unrest in search of a newsworthy story. Following the destruction of many peasant huts, the troop searches for dissidents among the rubble and come across a wounded woman and three dead children. Seeing the innocents affected by the raid Ellen begins to question the choices of the military and the outcome they bring.

In the aftermath of the raid Ellen is drawn to the wounded woman named Hasina wanting to hear her story and help her locate her missing family. Overcoming Hasina’s distrust of the American’s Ellen slowly pieces together the story of Hasina’s son Aref who was part of a suicide bombing of a small market town and horribly injured in the process and her determination to find him.

Ellen and Hasina become allies in their individual quests for truth and survival, the correspondent uncovering corruption and murder among the British troops and the peasant finding the depths of collusion with the enemy present in her own family.

Jill McGivering’s first novel is beautifully written. With her words she causes the reader to answer the question; would they put aside their preconceived ideas and help someone they consider to be an enemy.

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew when I purchased The Last Kestrel that its author was a BBC journalist who had spent some time in Afghanistan, and I knew that's where the novel was set. I was therefore expecting it to be well written, and to have a degree of authenticity. I wasn't disappointed on either front.

The Last Kestrel is tight and engaging throughout. The story was a good one, and I did greatly appreciate its moral ambiguity - most (but not all) of the characters can be classified as 'good' or 'bad', although I don't think any were absolutely one way or the other. 'Good' characters were capable of making choices that were morally questionable and 'bad' characters were capable of doing the right thing. Every character made decisions that were functions of place and time.

It's perhaps not surprising that Jill McGivering would write a novel that takes advantage of her experiences. Like the author, lead character Ellen Thomas is a journalist in Afghanistan. I can only imagine that many of the individual scenes draw from real life situations.

What was slightly less successful, in my opinion, were chapters written from the viewpoint of Hasina, a local woman who is central to Ellen's story. I note from the acknowledgements that McGivering took the time to get the perspective of an Afghani woman when writing her book, but there were times that I questioned Hasina's actions. I'm not saying that they weren't believable, but I sometimes felt that they were written through the lens of an English author.

I wavered between giving this book 4 or 5 stars... I've settled on 4, but it could easily have gone the other way. I can recommend it.

Oh, and I've got no idea why the novel was called the Last Kestrel.... what does it mean?

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Last Kestrel is a novel set around the ongoing war in Afghanistan. The story is told from the perspectives of its two main characters; Ellen and Hasina. Ellen Thomas is a British journalist who has returned to Afghanistan to uncover the truth about events leading to the death of her former translator. Hasina is a happily married Afghan woman who will do anything in her power to protect her one and only son. A chain reaction of events causes these women to come together and eventually unite in their quest to uncover the truth about their predicament. The story is easy to understand and does not lag. Some chapters are longer than others and the jumps from the viewpoints of Ellen to Hasina (and vice versa) are a bit confusing. The Afghan characters and their cultures are richly described as are the British soldiers who live amongst them. The differences between Ellen and Hasina are recognizable and yet, the two characters are alike. As the story progresses, Ellen and Hasina learn to appreciate and rely on each other. The ending is not very satisfying and leaves something to be desired. However, as with all books on war, there is no real happy ending. The war rages on and the survivors are left to clean up the mess and remember the fallen. Jill McGivering does not forget this and shows the resilience of the Afghan people as well as the soldiers. As a whole, the story is not bad and it has heart. It also left me with an afterthought about the many consequences of war. If you’re looking for a book that will remain in the back of your mind for a while, then I would recommend The Last Kestrel.

[Meneesha Govender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen Thomas is a journalist who returns to Afghanistan to uncover the truth behind the death of her former translator.
Hasina is determined to to keep her family together. Her only son has joined the underground fighters. She will give her life to keep him safe and uphold the family honour.
Thrown together by the circumstances of war, they soon find themselves unlikely allies - both determined to achieve their goals and prepared to help each other in ensuring this.
As they soldier on in their quests, painful truths are uncovered, innocent lives are lost and both women find themselves caught up in the horrors of a brutal war.
Both come to the realisation that there are no winners in war, no one is innocent and life is cheap.
In their quest for survival and truth they are both forced to pay a hefty price.
“The Last Kestrel” is compared by some to “The Kite Runner” and “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”. While I found the story honest, engaging and heart-breaking at the same time, I would not go that far. It is, however, certainly a human depiction of the Afghan war and well worth reading.

[Karin Bartimole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read many contemporary war novels. I feel too heart broken about the wars in the middle east, and all the losses that have occurred there, on every level. When I read the jacket cover of this book I thought I would give it a try, as the main character is a journalist, and a woman, embedded with the troops. It still had many moments for me, but I was drawn into the investigation she was undertaking, of the murder of her Afghani friend and translator.

In an adjacent story line, we follow an Afghani family living in a territory taken over by British soldiers. A mother who only wants to protect her son, particularly from the influential uncle who is filled with hate towards westerners.

The mother and reporter cross paths, assisting each other in ways they can hardly plan or communicate...
Such a moving and powerful story.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

How little we actually know about what is going on in Afghanistan. McGivering does an impressive job in this her first novel, using two strong willed women on different sides of the conflict in giving the reader a firm picture of our differences as well as our commonalities. One is a Afghanie mother who will do anything to keep her son safe and the other is a war journalist who reports on the conflict and is determined to find out how and who killed her translator. Also shows how far apart our cultures are and how difficult it is for both sides and how far apart of understanding is. Interesting and informative read.

[Elli · Rating 4 out of 5]

War has been part of living in Afghanistan for a long time. The people are geared to survival on a number of levels. How they measure and respond is quite different from how a western raised person might expect. The book familiarizes the reader with a number of characters in a number of positions. The clashes are extreme and the degree of truth of the information is never dependable. Heroes become traitors in the blink of an eyelash. Also friends become enemies. Or could that be true anywhere in a given situation. I thought this was a very good book and a worthwhile one insofar as offering a picture of the setting and people involved.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the tale of a Afghan woman trying to hold her family together against incredibly powerful forces, and her brief connection with a newspaper correspondent who has seen too much of war. There are no "bad guys" in this novel, yet people still commit horrible acts, made even more appalling by the fact that they're able to justify to themselves that they are contributing to a greater good. I think that readers who enjoyed The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns will also enjoy this story of pain, honor, and love.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the twists and turns of the story and the sympathetic portrayal of the Afghan families affected by war and tragedy in their country. Could tell the author is a journalist in her meticulous descriptions of village life and people, and the privations, heat and dust she herself must have experienced while with the occupying forces in Afghanistan. The people the journalist Ellen meets are well portrayed. But Ellen herself appears to be used merely as a means to tell the stories of the other characters. I would have liked to have known more about Ellen as a person.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A British reporter is embedded with British troops in Afghanistan and discovers corruption and greed. This book is compared to The Kite Runner; however, I disagree. If anything it is closer to A Thousand Splendid Suns, but I feel it should not be compared at all. It is a well written book that took me on a trip to a far away land where I was able to experience a different culture and environment.

[Shana · Rating 4 out of 5]

McGiverings details about life on the ground in Afghanistan, from various perspectives are shockingly vivid. I think it's one of the first books on the subject (although it's fiction) where I felt like I was beginning to be able to grasp the chaos and complexity of Afghanistan and the war there. This is a worthy read.

[Christine Terese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this book picking it up a Costco before Christmas. I'm well into the novel right now; reading it on my lunch break at work and finding it difficult to put down when I have to go back to work. I leave the book in my desk drawer at the office...and find myself thinking about it on the weekend.

[Deb Gascoyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd expected more from this book than I got. It was compared to the kite runner but I didn't feel it was anywhere near as good. Might have over rated it after having given previous book 3 stars- this WAS much better than that! I just felt that it perhaps didn't touch the surface of what is probably truly going on in Afghanistan.