Khaled
Hosseini is a brilliant storyteller and in the “And the Mountains Echoed”,
he does not disappoint. The book which spans several generations and 3 continents, follows Pari’s journey through a life that is defined by a decision her
father took when she was a very young child. The book’s theme is about
choices and the far reaching consequences they have on the future as well as
the propensity they have to influence the generations to come.
However, towards the middle (about half way through the book), it all gets very confusing. As new characters
are introduced, it is unclear who they are and what their connection, if any, is to the
main characters and to the story. There are also a couple of shock factors
thrown in that don’t quite work with the story line and could have just as
easily been left out.
In the latter part of the book, the clarity is back and the story sprints towards an awesome ending as the main characters, Pari and
Abdullah, take centre stage once again…58 years later.
I was particularly
impressed with Hosseini’s compassion and caring when writing about Abdullah’s mental
illness. It is a condition that many of us with aging parents and /or grandparents
are familiar with; I recognised and related to the anguish and sorrow felt by
Abdullah’s daughter, also called Pari, as she came to terms and dealt with her
father’s condition.
I loved “The Kite Runner” and while “And The Mountains Echoed” is not as captivating,
it is still a very good book.
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