Book Review: and the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

I had been fortunate enough to have the chance to reserve and collect this book pre-release back in 2013. However, I always kept it on my shelves as a treat for when I was really down and needed something really good to read, for I knew that whatever is penned by Khaled Hosseini must be worth reading. Last week I realise my stack of good books to read next is dangerously depleted so I’ve decided it was time to read The Mountains Echoed. From the first chapter, from the first page, from the first paragraph, I was hooked.

Sadly my enjoyment while reading this book was short lived and definitely diminished by the time I finished Nabi’s prolonged letter. Afterwards, the story seemed to disintegrate into smaller stories to the point of seeming not one book but a collection of books. I have to say I began skimming the pages, particularly the part with the Greek Surgeon’s story. The ending, ma tenable, was the downfall of this book but I suspect the author had to had it that way otherwise it would come off as some script for a cheesy Bollywood oldie.

Now there are missing chunks, and important ones, such as the long awaited Pari returning to Kabul, visiting her old village. Just having the surgeon describe it breezily in conversation wasn’t enough. What about the father? What did he do with the money he got in exchange for tearing up his family? Why wasn’t that enough? What about the stepmother? Who longed for the father and finally married him? Why wasn’t that story elaborated on? The most interesting story lines in the book are the ones who dwindled and went out without much flair and that’s why, mainly, I didn’t care much for the book. Now, this is a living proof on how one spoiled and deranged one can forecast her entire misery on a family and all generations to come.