Thursday, January 30, 2014
The Bookseller of Kabul
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad follows the life of Sultan. This mesmerizing portrait of a proud man who, through three decades and successive repressive regimes, heroically braved persecution to bring book tot he people of Kabul. Sultan is a wealthy man, who has a large family and unbelievable passion. With wits and luck, he has endured many hardships befallen upon him for his love of books.
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This is an entertaining book that keeps the readers interest. The characters are depicted for not only their looks, but their emotions throughout the story. The writing style is blunt yet expressive, and paints a wonderful portrait for the surroundings and characters. Even though this is a novel, it has quite a few facts of how events were carried out, and how Sultan's religion works. It is an interesting combination of a booksellers live, his wife's point of views, and the cultural revolution.
ReplyDeleteI know that you love reading, does Sultan's passion for books relate to you in a way?
ReplyDeleteYes, In a way. I enjoy reading, as you said, but I do not know if I enjoy reading to the extent of being thrown in jail several times. For me, I think it would be a combination for books and messing with the law taking away the culture. I suppose we are similar, however his passion for any type of book is a little more admirable than my own passion for books.
DeleteYes, In a way. I enjoy reading, as you said, but I do not know if I enjoy reading to the extent of being thrown in jail several times. For me, I think it would be a combination for books and messing with the law taking away the culture. I suppose we are similar, however his passion for any type of book is a little more admirable than my own passion for books.
DeleteHi, Matilda-- It sounds like you're saying you wouldn't risk being thrown in jail for reading books. That does sound extreme; yet, is the bookseller's defiance related to other issues in the lives of the Afghani people? What other "offenses" or "crimes" were people being jailed for at that time (when is the book set)?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure actually, however several people were being thrown in jail for having culture. They were trying to kill the old culture, which is why they were destroying books and why he was thrown in jail for selling and possessing them. I am not sure if i would be, if he had just held onto his books instead of continuing to sell them then he would still be able to read. So, I may not take the risk of educating others unless I took personnel privilege or duty from doing so.
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ReplyDeleteThat is a tough position to be in, in any case. It sounds like a good book.
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