And The Mountains Echoed - Khaled Hosseini

[naomi24]

From the author of ‘The Kite Runner’ and ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’. As to be expected, beautifully written but I’m not finding it easy to follow. With a succession of separate stories about an assortment of people who are in some way connected it’s all rather disjointed. Nevertheless, as with his previous works, I’m hooked, and I’m sure it will all come together in the end.

Has anyone else read it, and if so, what do you think?

[agchristie]

I've not read it Naomi but I can see his works are very popular. This title has over 2,400 reviews at an average of 4.2/5 - pretty decent.

I did like this quote attributed to him:

" In many parts of the world, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. But I think we need women to solve the problems that men create."

[naomi24]

ag, have you read his other books?

[agchristie]

No I haven't but he is very popular.

To be honest I've got about 20 books waiting even though I've read about 30 since Nov!

I love reading and just took delivery of another six signed first editions today ;)

[naomi24]

Wonderful! Since a book club asked me for a recommendation and hated my choice (I think they would have preferred something by Barbara Cartland) I've been reluctant to recommend novels to anyone, but I think you could cope with Khaled Hosseini when you have time. 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is my favourite to date.

[maggiebee]

I read 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' some time ago and loved it. The Kite Runner is on my Kindle waiting for me.

[agchristie]

I will make a note!

Barbara Cartland ;)

[naomi24]

ag, Go for it! You'll love her!! ;o)

I think the book I recommended to them was 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Well, I thought it was worth reading anyway. :o/

[agchristie]

Yes, I've heard of Zafon.

Does your bookclub not realise the great asset it has and whose sharp insight and intellect will leave the rest stuck on the shelf? :)

[naomi24]

ag, It's not my book club - nothing to do with me. Just a book club whose chairman asked me for a recommendation. They have Barbara Cartland and seem happy with her. ;o)

[agchristie]

Ah,right!

[naomi24]

:o)

[Canary42]

I think that would be my version of hell - a book club devoted to Cartland ;-)

I confess that "The Kite Runner" is in my list of books to read - just haven't reached it yet. With two succeeding books now available, I must try harder.

[naomi24]

Canary, I hope you enjoy them.

[viv41]

I loved A Thousand Splendid Suns and enjoyed The Kite Runner, but And The Mountains Echoed did nothing for me, too disjointed (as you said) and, I thought, a disappointing ending. I so wanted to like it as well. Splendid Suns ranks as one of my best books of all time.

What did you think when you got to the end naomi ?

[naomi24]

I'm not there yet, viv, but so far it doesn't come close to 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'. Much of the time I'm struggling to place the characters in the overall scheme of the book. I'm sure it will all come together in the end but I'm finding the journey quite confusing - something that didn't apply at all to his previous two books.

[viv41]

Totally agree. I remember there was one point that moved me near the end, but he could have made it so much more 'moving' and I feel he missed an opportunity. I've re-read the other two many times, but know I won't re-read this one. You may feel differently when you have finished it though ..

[viv41]

Lol have you read 'related posts' underneath? I got best answer there! I was viv38 then .......

[naomi24]

I have now you've pointed it out. I missed that. I haven't skipped any of it, but I was thinking that the problem might be because I only read it when I go to bed - lying down with Kindle, bedside light off - so probably half asleep. It's encouraging to know it's not just me. I can't imagine I'll read it again.

[chiaroscuro]

I've read the two books mentioned and enjoyed them so I've just reserved And The Mountains Echoed from the library - thank you, naomi.

[naomi24]

chiaroscuro, I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think.