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The Poppy Field Diary
Afghanistan was a beautiful land until greed and ambition pillaged its fertile valleys. She was beautiful too. Betrayed and broken, she journeyed through forty years of nomadic longing as her picturesque village disintegrated along with her hope. Unlike her beloved land, she at last discovered her place of rest.
Hers is a story for everyone who has ever loved. We dream, we hope, and we fall in love, only to hurt the thing we cherish most. But a few rare and beautiful souls survive that lonely journey through the minefields of passion to discover intimacy, kindness, and forgiveness.
Hers is a story for everyone who has ever loved. We dream, we hope, and we fall in love, only to hurt the thing we cherish most. But a few rare and beautiful souls survive that lonely journey through the minefields of passion to discover intimacy, kindness, and forgiveness.
500 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Carey Richard
1 book18 followersCarey is a bit of a roamer, but as Tolkien said, “Not all who wander are lost.”
He spends about half of each year overseas and half in the United States. He enjoys cycling, backpacking, kayaking, skating, long-boarding, and anything outdoors.
He has a liberal arts degree in philosophy, religion, and English literature. Though he has traveled in more than forty-seven nations, he still has a certain wanderlust.
He spends about half of each year overseas and half in the United States. He enjoys cycling, backpacking, kayaking, skating, long-boarding, and anything outdoors.
He has a liberal arts degree in philosophy, religion, and English literature. Though he has traveled in more than forty-seven nations, he still has a certain wanderlust.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 24, 2015
“True forgiveness is when you can say, "Thank you for that experience.”
----Oprah Winfrey
Carey Richard, an American author, pens a heart-touching story, The Poppy Field Diary about an Afghan woman and her journey through marriage against all odds in a land of terror and narrow-mindedness.
Synopsis:
Sometimes it takes a moment
Sometimes it takes a lifetime
Sometimes a lifetime is not enough
In the days before the Russian occupation, Kabul's golden age, a tenacious young Afghan woman began a journey that we all take at some point in our lives the journey to forgive. In an unyielding land, she discovered the grace that is within every heart.
As JFK floundered in the Cuban missile crisis, she fell in love. As the United States withdrew from Vietnam, her oldest son trained for the buzkashi, the wild game of Afghan polo brought to her country by Genghis Khan. As the Russians invaded Afghanistan, her husband ran guns and opium through the Khyber Pass; as they retreated, she matched wits with a beautiful Czech spy. As the Taliban ravaged Kabul, she cared for a wounded bacha bereesh, an Afghan dancing boy. As the Twin Towers burned, she found true intimacy.
A nameless Afghan girl is seen playing by the fields whose only support is her mother. Her only identity of her father was that of a photo from which she could conclude that he was a French man. But falling in love against her country's rules is something puts her into a different track where she believes that romance has disillusioned her life. From a cheating husband to jihad sons, this Afghan's woman life moves parallely along with some greatest historical events of the world from collapse of the Soviet Union to the rise of Taliban to the attack on World Trade Center.
The writing is fantastic and from the very first page, I was pulled into the heart of this story. Yeah, in the beginning, it might sound like another Khaled Hosseini novel, but trust me, it is something very different and unique from Hosseini's Kabul stories. The prose is lyrical and poetic and each chapter ends on a poetic note. Moreover, there is a lot of mystery that keeps us engaged into the storyline. I liked how the author intertwined both history and the Afghan woman's journey through marriage parallely, and each occurrence in the history has some impact in her life too.
The portrait of Afghanistan is vivid and striking. The picturesque backdrop in this novel not only soothes our eyes and minds but also transports us to this land of beauty and terror. The story is narrated in such a way that it seems like everything in unfolding right in front of our eyes. The author have captured not only the beauty of this land, but also it's culture, food, people and streets so lively and brightly in his book. We see the story from this Afghan woman's eyes, though she narrates her sad story, but the author gives us enough space to see it with our own POV. The plot is layered with some deep emotions that are easy to contemplate with. The poems just at the end of the chapters are beautiful and lets us feel about the character more deeply. The characterization is also pretty strong enough.
Overall it's an emotional and personal account of an Afghan woman and her story about love, betrayal and forgiveness.
Verdict: An enchanting yet heart-wrenching storyline that is bound to keep turning the pages of this book.
Courtesy: Thanks to Goodreads for choosing me as a winner in Goodreads First Reads Program.
----Oprah Winfrey
Carey Richard, an American author, pens a heart-touching story, The Poppy Field Diary about an Afghan woman and her journey through marriage against all odds in a land of terror and narrow-mindedness.
Synopsis:
Sometimes it takes a moment
Sometimes it takes a lifetime
Sometimes a lifetime is not enough
In the days before the Russian occupation, Kabul's golden age, a tenacious young Afghan woman began a journey that we all take at some point in our lives the journey to forgive. In an unyielding land, she discovered the grace that is within every heart.
As JFK floundered in the Cuban missile crisis, she fell in love. As the United States withdrew from Vietnam, her oldest son trained for the buzkashi, the wild game of Afghan polo brought to her country by Genghis Khan. As the Russians invaded Afghanistan, her husband ran guns and opium through the Khyber Pass; as they retreated, she matched wits with a beautiful Czech spy. As the Taliban ravaged Kabul, she cared for a wounded bacha bereesh, an Afghan dancing boy. As the Twin Towers burned, she found true intimacy.
A nameless Afghan girl is seen playing by the fields whose only support is her mother. Her only identity of her father was that of a photo from which she could conclude that he was a French man. But falling in love against her country's rules is something puts her into a different track where she believes that romance has disillusioned her life. From a cheating husband to jihad sons, this Afghan's woman life moves parallely along with some greatest historical events of the world from collapse of the Soviet Union to the rise of Taliban to the attack on World Trade Center.
The writing is fantastic and from the very first page, I was pulled into the heart of this story. Yeah, in the beginning, it might sound like another Khaled Hosseini novel, but trust me, it is something very different and unique from Hosseini's Kabul stories. The prose is lyrical and poetic and each chapter ends on a poetic note. Moreover, there is a lot of mystery that keeps us engaged into the storyline. I liked how the author intertwined both history and the Afghan woman's journey through marriage parallely, and each occurrence in the history has some impact in her life too.
The portrait of Afghanistan is vivid and striking. The picturesque backdrop in this novel not only soothes our eyes and minds but also transports us to this land of beauty and terror. The story is narrated in such a way that it seems like everything in unfolding right in front of our eyes. The author have captured not only the beauty of this land, but also it's culture, food, people and streets so lively and brightly in his book. We see the story from this Afghan woman's eyes, though she narrates her sad story, but the author gives us enough space to see it with our own POV. The plot is layered with some deep emotions that are easy to contemplate with. The poems just at the end of the chapters are beautiful and lets us feel about the character more deeply. The characterization is also pretty strong enough.
Overall it's an emotional and personal account of an Afghan woman and her story about love, betrayal and forgiveness.
Verdict: An enchanting yet heart-wrenching storyline that is bound to keep turning the pages of this book.
Courtesy: Thanks to Goodreads for choosing me as a winner in Goodreads First Reads Program.
December 31, 2014
Received novel courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway
A powerful novel that connects the life of one woman to her deepest self and to her country. This novel needs to be read by women who feel like no one else in the world has ever felt like they do. We first meet her as a young girl and grow with her during her lifetime. She experiences the feelings that all women experience: mainly all feeling to do with our worthiness. While we go through her life with her, we also see Afghanistan and how the country ended up in Taliban hands.
I found this novel to be so full of truths that I must read it again. I will definitely be passing it along to others.
A powerful novel that connects the life of one woman to her deepest self and to her country. This novel needs to be read by women who feel like no one else in the world has ever felt like they do. We first meet her as a young girl and grow with her during her lifetime. She experiences the feelings that all women experience: mainly all feeling to do with our worthiness. While we go through her life with her, we also see Afghanistan and how the country ended up in Taliban hands.
I found this novel to be so full of truths that I must read it again. I will definitely be passing it along to others.
September 11, 2014
Interesting on so Many Levels
I had the privilege to read a pre-release copy. I know the author so take my review with a tiny grain of salt. I feel I can be objective.
This book appealed to me on a number of levels. I usually read thrillers and I enjoy good mystery so this was a little outside my typical read. But it held my attention from cover to cover. Well developed characters, captivating story line, and beautifully written.
The Afghan woman’s point of view was enlightening but her experience was one that any woman could relate to. What kept my interest most, though, were the thoughtful passages on love and affection. This is so much more than a story. It’s emotional, insightful and very moving. It’s not one of those books you rush through but neither does it bog down or become tedious. I found myself savoring many of the passages and the main character stayed with me long after I had finished.
I especially enjoyed the non-fiction appendix on forgiveness. I thought that was a little unusual at first but it helped me understand the book’s message. Even the glossary was interesting. The author obviously put a great deal of research into this book and drew from his personal experiences. It made the story all the more believable. This is about a 300 page book so it’s satisfying, but I did find myself wanting a bit more.
I had the privilege to read a pre-release copy. I know the author so take my review with a tiny grain of salt. I feel I can be objective.
This book appealed to me on a number of levels. I usually read thrillers and I enjoy good mystery so this was a little outside my typical read. But it held my attention from cover to cover. Well developed characters, captivating story line, and beautifully written.
The Afghan woman’s point of view was enlightening but her experience was one that any woman could relate to. What kept my interest most, though, were the thoughtful passages on love and affection. This is so much more than a story. It’s emotional, insightful and very moving. It’s not one of those books you rush through but neither does it bog down or become tedious. I found myself savoring many of the passages and the main character stayed with me long after I had finished.
I especially enjoyed the non-fiction appendix on forgiveness. I thought that was a little unusual at first but it helped me understand the book’s message. Even the glossary was interesting. The author obviously put a great deal of research into this book and drew from his personal experiences. It made the story all the more believable. This is about a 300 page book so it’s satisfying, but I did find myself wanting a bit more.
November 2, 2014
I loved this book! Beautiful, poetic prose. The story of Afghan couple is very compelling and holds your interest until the very end. Highly recommended.
*I received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
*I received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
January 2, 2015
I loved this touching story of love and forgiveness. Carey does a remarkable job of making history come to life by giving readers one woman's personal view of life in Afghanistan--a place Westerners really know very little about. I'm looking forward to the next novel!
March 25, 2015
The Poppy Field Diary shares the intimate story of an Afghanistan woman who, amidst the traditional world of Afghanistan, found solace in her poppy field where she could walk unveiled and dream about her future. She carried with her a diary weathered with age. It was her father’s before it was hers and knowing he carried it with him gave her comfort. Her father was a foreigner to this country, but he loved her mother and her mother loved him and she often wondered how life would have been if her father hadn’t died. She could tell from the stories her mother shared that their love was true. It was these stories that helped to form her views about love. A view she carried with her when she met and married a young gentleman by the name of Amir. It was a view she began to question when life became complicated with family, rivalries, war, and deception. She tried to cling to her hope that love would endure, but found that it had to begin within her. Could she bring herself to forgive and learn to love unconditionally?
I was drawn into the story written by Carey Richard. Although the name of the woman we read about in The Poppy Field Diary is never disclosed, she becomes a friend to the reader. We discover her intimate thoughts, her dreams, her failures, and her desires: bringing us closer to her and the story she shares with us.
Throughout the life of the protagonist, we are given glimpses of the history of Afghanistan and the country’s political battles. This was the area I was concerned about when I first read the synopsis of the book. I had no need to worry though. The author did a wonderful job of intertwining the history into the story. It was subtle, yet informative, and it didn’t overpower the personal story being told. It was also a necessary addition since Amir’s livelihood was smuggling guns and supplies to the faction he supported.
The book’s chapter titles reflect the topic or the emotion about to unfold in the upcoming chapter. When the chapter comes to an end, a poem is shared with the reader summarizing the main character’s feelings about the events that just occurred. There are over 30 chapters in this book, which gives you a hint as to the many different emotions our central character went through and the multiple subjects the book covers: Isolate, Unworthy, Lonely (these are just a few I mention for reference, but there are so many more to explore when you read the book).
In the back of the book there is a glossary of words and terms used in the story which are helpful if you are not familiar with them. It also provides a brief history of the situations covered in the book.
I found The Poppy Field Diary to be a delightful reading journey. It followed the entire lifespan of the main character and I liked how the supporting characters were revealed through the eyes of the main character. It was from her thoughts and from her recollection of certain events that you learned more about the other people mentioned in the book. As if you were having a conversation with her about her life and those she encountered during her journey, learning more about them through her tales and recollections.
Due to the sexual content and the war conditions shared in the book, I would suggest the reader be 18 or over. Those who are interested in Afghan culture would enjoy this book. It’s not a romance novel, but if you like romance entwined in your story, you’ll want to read this book. I also think the story is balanced enough for both men and women readers.
I was drawn into the story written by Carey Richard. Although the name of the woman we read about in The Poppy Field Diary is never disclosed, she becomes a friend to the reader. We discover her intimate thoughts, her dreams, her failures, and her desires: bringing us closer to her and the story she shares with us.
Throughout the life of the protagonist, we are given glimpses of the history of Afghanistan and the country’s political battles. This was the area I was concerned about when I first read the synopsis of the book. I had no need to worry though. The author did a wonderful job of intertwining the history into the story. It was subtle, yet informative, and it didn’t overpower the personal story being told. It was also a necessary addition since Amir’s livelihood was smuggling guns and supplies to the faction he supported.
The book’s chapter titles reflect the topic or the emotion about to unfold in the upcoming chapter. When the chapter comes to an end, a poem is shared with the reader summarizing the main character’s feelings about the events that just occurred. There are over 30 chapters in this book, which gives you a hint as to the many different emotions our central character went through and the multiple subjects the book covers: Isolate, Unworthy, Lonely (these are just a few I mention for reference, but there are so many more to explore when you read the book).
In the back of the book there is a glossary of words and terms used in the story which are helpful if you are not familiar with them. It also provides a brief history of the situations covered in the book.
I found The Poppy Field Diary to be a delightful reading journey. It followed the entire lifespan of the main character and I liked how the supporting characters were revealed through the eyes of the main character. It was from her thoughts and from her recollection of certain events that you learned more about the other people mentioned in the book. As if you were having a conversation with her about her life and those she encountered during her journey, learning more about them through her tales and recollections.
Due to the sexual content and the war conditions shared in the book, I would suggest the reader be 18 or over. Those who are interested in Afghan culture would enjoy this book. It’s not a romance novel, but if you like romance entwined in your story, you’ll want to read this book. I also think the story is balanced enough for both men and women readers.
June 21, 2016
I was provided a free copy of this book in audio format from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book narrates the life of a woman in Afghanistan. She is the daughter of an atypical marriage, since her father was French. Her mother has inculcated on her the value of love and this will be the goal for this woman. This is a book about dreams, hope and love.
The story starts in the 60's, when this woman meets her future husband Emir, and she dreams of how her life will become. Things start to get complicated for Afghanistan and this woman, and her search for true love will only lead to broken dreams. Only in accepting what she has got she will find new hope.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read this year, and my favorite so far. The story is beautifully told, with many flashbacks and enough background information. It is narrated in first person and we often suffer about how life is treating her. Born of a mixed marriage, she got a glimpse into the Western culture, and her dreams will not fit in her own culture reality. For us it may seem a foreign world, but we see that in her own heart it is also for her.
But this is not only this woman's story, but also about her country. We witness the changes in Afghanistan in the last 40 years, and how the land gets broken and how things change under different rulers. Carey Richard has written a wonderful piece of history along with a story about love, grief and loss.
There is no name given to the woman in this story because the book is written in first person like a personal diary, and in fact, this could have been the story of any woman in Afghanistan, despite her different origins.
The narrations was also beautifully done. Susanna Burney really becomes this Afghan woman, and her subtle accent makes it believable. It would have been a five star narration if it were not for the occasional mouth clicking noises that could have been edited out.
I really enjoyed this book and how it was narrated. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a well written book with the added value of an extraordinary narration.
This book narrates the life of a woman in Afghanistan. She is the daughter of an atypical marriage, since her father was French. Her mother has inculcated on her the value of love and this will be the goal for this woman. This is a book about dreams, hope and love.
The story starts in the 60's, when this woman meets her future husband Emir, and she dreams of how her life will become. Things start to get complicated for Afghanistan and this woman, and her search for true love will only lead to broken dreams. Only in accepting what she has got she will find new hope.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read this year, and my favorite so far. The story is beautifully told, with many flashbacks and enough background information. It is narrated in first person and we often suffer about how life is treating her. Born of a mixed marriage, she got a glimpse into the Western culture, and her dreams will not fit in her own culture reality. For us it may seem a foreign world, but we see that in her own heart it is also for her.
But this is not only this woman's story, but also about her country. We witness the changes in Afghanistan in the last 40 years, and how the land gets broken and how things change under different rulers. Carey Richard has written a wonderful piece of history along with a story about love, grief and loss.
There is no name given to the woman in this story because the book is written in first person like a personal diary, and in fact, this could have been the story of any woman in Afghanistan, despite her different origins.
The narrations was also beautifully done. Susanna Burney really becomes this Afghan woman, and her subtle accent makes it believable. It would have been a five star narration if it were not for the occasional mouth clicking noises that could have been edited out.
I really enjoyed this book and how it was narrated. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a well written book with the added value of an extraordinary narration.
July 4, 2016
Nice Story
This is not my genre, I don't read women's lit, so some of the overriding messages that are continuously remarked upon are a bit much for me. This author clearly had an agenda when writing this novel. The writing was rather simple but beautiful - evoking images of nature, romantic scenes and camaraderie.
The four main repeating themes
Love
Betrayal
Hope
Forgiveness
While I have nothing against romance, or lack of romance, we went through the same cycle multiple times. She is told she must find a way to forgive for her own sake. She agonized over it. It solves nothing. She boils inside with her anger and feelings of betrayal. Rinse and repeat multiple times. You don't have to hit me in the head with a hammer. I get it.
I was more interested in the Afghan historic details surrounding the story and how they changed the lives of the characters. These facts were downplayed in favor of the state of the love relationship at any given moment. This is not really a historical romance. This is the story of one woman's journey from romantic fantasy to romantic love to betrayal to forgiveness and true intimacy, all in a world ruled by husband's, father's, brother's and uncle's.
This is a novel about love and forgiving loved ones who have betrayed us. If that sounds good to you, by all means, read it. It has won numerous awards.
This is not my genre, I don't read women's lit, so some of the overriding messages that are continuously remarked upon are a bit much for me. This author clearly had an agenda when writing this novel. The writing was rather simple but beautiful - evoking images of nature, romantic scenes and camaraderie.
The four main repeating themes
Love
Betrayal
Hope
Forgiveness
While I have nothing against romance, or lack of romance, we went through the same cycle multiple times. She is told she must find a way to forgive for her own sake. She agonized over it. It solves nothing. She boils inside with her anger and feelings of betrayal. Rinse and repeat multiple times. You don't have to hit me in the head with a hammer. I get it.
I was more interested in the Afghan historic details surrounding the story and how they changed the lives of the characters. These facts were downplayed in favor of the state of the love relationship at any given moment. This is not really a historical romance. This is the story of one woman's journey from romantic fantasy to romantic love to betrayal to forgiveness and true intimacy, all in a world ruled by husband's, father's, brother's and uncle's.
This is a novel about love and forgiving loved ones who have betrayed us. If that sounds good to you, by all means, read it. It has won numerous awards.
September 19, 2014
I am a friend of the author but had no idea he was such a gifted writer. This book is very touching down to the very soul. From the very first page, I felt as if I were the main character, the Afghan woman who was seeking more intimacy and love from her husband, because she tells the story from the depths of her emotions and heart. The story is all about love, emotion, regrets, forgiveness, and tenderness. I was drawn in from the very first page and could not put down this book.
It is a moving story, wrapping you into the culture of Afghanistan. The story moves quickly and is captivating. My heart ached during parts of the story line and at other times it soared high. Forgiveness is usually a hard thing to do, especially when you feel love tugging at your heart strings. But, this book will give you fresh insight into the steps to forgive somebody who has hurt you deeply. You will not regret reading this book. Get ready to be drawn into the story and to delve into your own hurts and regrets.
It is a moving story, wrapping you into the culture of Afghanistan. The story moves quickly and is captivating. My heart ached during parts of the story line and at other times it soared high. Forgiveness is usually a hard thing to do, especially when you feel love tugging at your heart strings. But, this book will give you fresh insight into the steps to forgive somebody who has hurt you deeply. You will not regret reading this book. Get ready to be drawn into the story and to delve into your own hurts and regrets.
April 20, 2015
4.5 Stars
This story is about the journey of an Afghan woman we meet as a young girl. I loved being able to grow with her. Experiencing her cultural and the world events from her perspective. The self-discovery, the love, the emotions, regrets. Learning to forgive and wondering your true worth.
Being able to see Afghanistan was great. I liked being able to get a look into their culture. One we never get to see, especially from this kind of perspective. It was intriguing to see how the country fell into the hands of the Taliban.
The journey is beautiful and heartbreaking. Seeing things from the woman’s point of view. Her deepest desires, her secrets, her hurt, her peace and her happiness. I
Richard Carey did a wonderful job in his writing. I will admit, this story was difficult to read at times but in the end it was just so beautiful and moving. The story just sucked you in and it flowed. The poetry used was perfect at the end of each chapter.
This is a must read if you are looking for something different, enlightening and educational.
This story is about the journey of an Afghan woman we meet as a young girl. I loved being able to grow with her. Experiencing her cultural and the world events from her perspective. The self-discovery, the love, the emotions, regrets. Learning to forgive and wondering your true worth.
Being able to see Afghanistan was great. I liked being able to get a look into their culture. One we never get to see, especially from this kind of perspective. It was intriguing to see how the country fell into the hands of the Taliban.
The journey is beautiful and heartbreaking. Seeing things from the woman’s point of view. Her deepest desires, her secrets, her hurt, her peace and her happiness. I
Richard Carey did a wonderful job in his writing. I will admit, this story was difficult to read at times but in the end it was just so beautiful and moving. The story just sucked you in and it flowed. The poetry used was perfect at the end of each chapter.
This is a must read if you are looking for something different, enlightening and educational.
February 21, 2015
Wow.. Just wow, I don't know what to say. It's really beautiful and the way it is written I just wasn't reading it, I was living in those moments like a ghost from outside. The journey of the lady and especially when she recalled her mother, I am just speechless. And I know I'm going to re-read this book many times.
Love it!!! When the first night after reading, I thought about the book and noticed that I don't even know her name and I didn't noticed it earlier but it was never needed. But I'm curious :P
The writing just flowed and I didn't even knew when I swept away with it. It's a definite read and I'm even forcing my friends to read it, I just want them also to know and fell the same things and discuss about it. A Definite Must Must Read!!!
*I was given the copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.*
Love it!!! When the first night after reading, I thought about the book and noticed that I don't even know her name and I didn't noticed it earlier but it was never needed. But I'm curious :P
The writing just flowed and I didn't even knew when I swept away with it. It's a definite read and I'm even forcing my friends to read it, I just want them also to know and fell the same things and discuss about it. A Definite Must Must Read!!!
*I was given the copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.*
December 21, 2015
*Received as a Goodreads giveaway*
I expected to enjoy The Poppy Field Diary much more than I actually did, which was disappointing. The cultural narrative and stories about the experiences of the protagonist and her family throughout the past decade were highly compelling, beautiful and heartbreaking. The story of her marriage, less so. The prose felt overly saccharine and histrionic in a way that took away from the stark stripped down pain and intensity of her emotions. Rather than allowing the feelings themselves to speak, the prose seemed to bury their rawness.
I expected to enjoy The Poppy Field Diary much more than I actually did, which was disappointing. The cultural narrative and stories about the experiences of the protagonist and her family throughout the past decade were highly compelling, beautiful and heartbreaking. The story of her marriage, less so. The prose felt overly saccharine and histrionic in a way that took away from the stark stripped down pain and intensity of her emotions. Rather than allowing the feelings themselves to speak, the prose seemed to bury their rawness.
December 8, 2018
I won the Poppy Field Diary in a Goodreads Romance Audiobook Giveaway. Because the delivery of the prose by the narrator was so eloquent I bought the ebook and reread it without the bias of the audio voice -- Guess what? It stands up in print as well as in audio! A version of this review is also on Amazon.
When I was halfway through the book, I was stunned by the lushness and beauty. I was absorbing it as I would an old uncle reading the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam after lunch, and before nap, on a warm summer day by the sea--begging it not to end -- I sent a note to the Author, Carey Richard, saying so. For me it became a slow read -- because I did not want it to end. I didn't want to devour the meal but savor it. I listened to a chapter every few days usually while doing something outside.
It was smooth and easy -- until it wasn't. But the new phase was just as moving, The mounting tensions of a lush romance entangled with the politics of the near east region of the Farsi world during the final decades of the 20th century served as a preamble to current times.
A smart woman's character winds us through the joys and the tragedy of one of the worlds most contested regions-- then and now. It is a braided narrative of families bound by marriage and nations thrown asunder by burgeoning violence. When I got to the point where I needed to know who would win -- the young heroine that we had known since she was a child playing in "her poppy field," before marriage, before war-- I was overwhelm with my own hope for her.
This is a book for people who love to love and love to think -- I give it my highest recommendation.
When I was halfway through the book, I was stunned by the lushness and beauty. I was absorbing it as I would an old uncle reading the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam after lunch, and before nap, on a warm summer day by the sea--begging it not to end -- I sent a note to the Author, Carey Richard, saying so. For me it became a slow read -- because I did not want it to end. I didn't want to devour the meal but savor it. I listened to a chapter every few days usually while doing something outside.
It was smooth and easy -- until it wasn't. But the new phase was just as moving, The mounting tensions of a lush romance entangled with the politics of the near east region of the Farsi world during the final decades of the 20th century served as a preamble to current times.
A smart woman's character winds us through the joys and the tragedy of one of the worlds most contested regions-- then and now. It is a braided narrative of families bound by marriage and nations thrown asunder by burgeoning violence. When I got to the point where I needed to know who would win -- the young heroine that we had known since she was a child playing in "her poppy field," before marriage, before war-- I was overwhelm with my own hope for her.
This is a book for people who love to love and love to think -- I give it my highest recommendation.
May 11, 2017
I thought the back story of the history and culture of Afghanistan during the recent wars was very interesting and absorbing. The story of the marriage, betrayal, and return of the husband did not ring true to me as a woman. For the entire book, the husband was self-serving, deceitful, and emotionally and physically abusive. The wife whined a little too much and too long about her betrayal and I cheered when she finally was able to let go and forgive him. It was too much of a stretch for me to believe that he could return and make such a transformation at the end. I understood it better when I saw the author was a man. The viewpoint was then of a man's version of what he thought a woman was thinking about a marriage gone south. The relationship was messy throughout the book. Attempting to neatly tie up all the loose ends was simply not believable for me. A man writing in a woman's voice is not believable, either.
February 8, 2019
This novel centers on the life of an Afghani woman from girlhood to old (like me). It is a sort of coming of age story, but an older age. The theme is forgiveness, something I have long tried to understand. It is an extremely difficult thing for some of us who have been truly wronged, as the protagonist has. In between her birth and death, there is falling in love, love for children, love for parents, and disappointment. I highly recommend this book.
*It should be noted that a man wrote this book, filling in all the thoughts, experiences, and emotions of a woman. I was not sure this would work. However, I could relate to her quite well. I don't expect perfection in all the books I read, and Carey did a pretty good job reaching me.
*It should be noted that a man wrote this book, filling in all the thoughts, experiences, and emotions of a woman. I was not sure this would work. However, I could relate to her quite well. I don't expect perfection in all the books I read, and Carey did a pretty good job reaching me.
March 15, 2015
Afghanistan!
It is said that when you step in inside the country, a sign board will greet you, written something like the following-
It is absolutely forbidden to cross this border into Afghan territory.
In reality it is forbidden! Forbidden by nature, forbidden by weather and forbidden by man for centuries………
A stony land will welcome you once you are gone through the Khyber Pass- the gateway to the country from the side of Pakistan. For miles there are only stones and pebbles, without a trace of grass, without a trace of green, without a trace of moisture! It is one of the driest countries of the world. The extreme nature of the weather and topography, it seems, has been reflected into the weather of the people of Afghanistan!
But if you jump at such a conclusion too early, you will be wrong. At first glimpses it may seem that Afghans are rough in nature, but it is only their outward appearance. They have a warm heart inside their big strongly built body. They doesn’t only plat Buzkashi, they can also love.
And in this backdrop let us start with ‘The Poppy Field Diary’ by Carey Richard-the poetic story of a next door simple Afghan girl (she has some European connection too.)
I mentioned poetical. The memoir is full of poems, beautiful poems-only written in prose. It is the style that we can hardly found in run of the mill books. Probably such narration can only be generated when the writing is spontaneously flows from the deep inside of the heart- like the flow of Amu Darya! It is the poem of her hope and her despair, her joy and her tears, her love for the nature and for human. Simply speaking it is the story of her true self!
It is the story of her being what she was and what she is!
Let us quote a lovely narration from the epilogue of the book
“I thought my life would be romantic. I thought I would squander idyllic seasons in my medieval valley, among my books, surrounded by my children and my grandchildren. My life did not follow the course of my dreams.
I was wrong to dream. I was wrong about many things. But most of all, I was wrong about love.”
It washer beloved poppy field that gave her the feeling of adolescence, bestowed her with the blessing of meeting of her prince charming and………
And then started a wonderful journey of her life-where she grew up, where the first fragrance of her youth had blossomed and where she first had the wonderful feeling called love. Descriptions are sure to steal one’s mind. The first feeling of the addiction named love by her is described by the writer –
“My face was uncovered, and I knew a crimson blush was visible on my throat. This man was not my relative, and it was scandalous for me to stand before him uncovered…….I glanced around to see if anyone was watching us. He laughed-not in ridicule, but in an open, abandoned way that at once settled me, as if he’d cast some mystical charm over me. I smiled at him and felt a surge of desire. As surely as he had tamed the restless beauty he held by the reins, he had tamed my impatient heart.”
Read the full text of the review here
https://jayasreesown.wordpress.com/20...
It is said that when you step in inside the country, a sign board will greet you, written something like the following-
It is absolutely forbidden to cross this border into Afghan territory.
In reality it is forbidden! Forbidden by nature, forbidden by weather and forbidden by man for centuries………
A stony land will welcome you once you are gone through the Khyber Pass- the gateway to the country from the side of Pakistan. For miles there are only stones and pebbles, without a trace of grass, without a trace of green, without a trace of moisture! It is one of the driest countries of the world. The extreme nature of the weather and topography, it seems, has been reflected into the weather of the people of Afghanistan!
But if you jump at such a conclusion too early, you will be wrong. At first glimpses it may seem that Afghans are rough in nature, but it is only their outward appearance. They have a warm heart inside their big strongly built body. They doesn’t only plat Buzkashi, they can also love.
And in this backdrop let us start with ‘The Poppy Field Diary’ by Carey Richard-the poetic story of a next door simple Afghan girl (she has some European connection too.)
I mentioned poetical. The memoir is full of poems, beautiful poems-only written in prose. It is the style that we can hardly found in run of the mill books. Probably such narration can only be generated when the writing is spontaneously flows from the deep inside of the heart- like the flow of Amu Darya! It is the poem of her hope and her despair, her joy and her tears, her love for the nature and for human. Simply speaking it is the story of her true self!
It is the story of her being what she was and what she is!
Let us quote a lovely narration from the epilogue of the book
“I thought my life would be romantic. I thought I would squander idyllic seasons in my medieval valley, among my books, surrounded by my children and my grandchildren. My life did not follow the course of my dreams.
I was wrong to dream. I was wrong about many things. But most of all, I was wrong about love.”
It washer beloved poppy field that gave her the feeling of adolescence, bestowed her with the blessing of meeting of her prince charming and………
And then started a wonderful journey of her life-where she grew up, where the first fragrance of her youth had blossomed and where she first had the wonderful feeling called love. Descriptions are sure to steal one’s mind. The first feeling of the addiction named love by her is described by the writer –
“My face was uncovered, and I knew a crimson blush was visible on my throat. This man was not my relative, and it was scandalous for me to stand before him uncovered…….I glanced around to see if anyone was watching us. He laughed-not in ridicule, but in an open, abandoned way that at once settled me, as if he’d cast some mystical charm over me. I smiled at him and felt a surge of desire. As surely as he had tamed the restless beauty he held by the reins, he had tamed my impatient heart.”
Read the full text of the review here
https://jayasreesown.wordpress.com/20...
December 18, 2015
When an Afghani woman marries for love in a culture of arranged marriages and multiple wives, a lifelong journey of self discovery ensues focusing on betrayal and forgiveness.
In Richard’s poetic, introspective first novel, a young girl lives an idyllic life with her mother dreaming, reading, and writing in her diary, a treasured possession from the dead French father she knows only through a photograph. “Most young girls do not remember a vigorous young father but an aging tyrant.” (8) In her beloved poppy field she spies a prince-like man watering his horse. She falls in love with this romantic figure, and they eventually marry. Richard concludes each chapter with haiku-like poems, but her prose also sings lyrically. “In early spring, the rain comes in torrents. The stream bordering my field swells and roars and gallops down the hillside, reckless and untamed.”(16) The girl enters marriage with romantic notions, but is slowly disillusioned. She longs to impart her three sons with her mother’s wisdom and love of books, but her husband raises them with a love of guns and horses. As time passes, she grows suspicious. Hiding behind the anonymity of a burkha, she discovers he is cheating. During the years she obsesses over this infidelity as her country crumbles. Their eldest son joins the mujahedeen fighting the Soviets while the younger sons are sent to Pakistan. Throughout she longs to forgive her husband, but doesn’t make a move until his fortunes are at their lowest. “As long as he was inhuman, I found it difficult to forgive him…But a hurting man was more like me.” (103) A compromise is reached in which sexual relations resume, but true closure does not happen until her dying days. Despite the meditative nature of the narrative, historical action continually looms in the background – the Soviet collapse, factional warring, the rise of the Taliban, and the nearly simultaneous attacks on the World Trade Center and mujahedeen leader Massoud.
This highly personal account is perfect for anyone interested in the psychology of betrayal and forgiveness, as well as anyone seeking insight into the Afghan psyche.
In Richard’s poetic, introspective first novel, a young girl lives an idyllic life with her mother dreaming, reading, and writing in her diary, a treasured possession from the dead French father she knows only through a photograph. “Most young girls do not remember a vigorous young father but an aging tyrant.” (8) In her beloved poppy field she spies a prince-like man watering his horse. She falls in love with this romantic figure, and they eventually marry. Richard concludes each chapter with haiku-like poems, but her prose also sings lyrically. “In early spring, the rain comes in torrents. The stream bordering my field swells and roars and gallops down the hillside, reckless and untamed.”(16) The girl enters marriage with romantic notions, but is slowly disillusioned. She longs to impart her three sons with her mother’s wisdom and love of books, but her husband raises them with a love of guns and horses. As time passes, she grows suspicious. Hiding behind the anonymity of a burkha, she discovers he is cheating. During the years she obsesses over this infidelity as her country crumbles. Their eldest son joins the mujahedeen fighting the Soviets while the younger sons are sent to Pakistan. Throughout she longs to forgive her husband, but doesn’t make a move until his fortunes are at their lowest. “As long as he was inhuman, I found it difficult to forgive him…But a hurting man was more like me.” (103) A compromise is reached in which sexual relations resume, but true closure does not happen until her dying days. Despite the meditative nature of the narrative, historical action continually looms in the background – the Soviet collapse, factional warring, the rise of the Taliban, and the nearly simultaneous attacks on the World Trade Center and mujahedeen leader Massoud.
This highly personal account is perfect for anyone interested in the psychology of betrayal and forgiveness, as well as anyone seeking insight into the Afghan psyche.
April 11, 2016
I LOVED this book. I have been very interested in Afghanistan lately, after reading Khaled Hosseini's books, and this book was just as good. It is a story told across the decades in Afghanistan, so it is interesting to see the different changes that have happened in the country under different rulers. This is a heartbreaking story of love, loss, and forgiveness that really stays with you. I listened to the Audible version, and the narrator was really good. I'm really interested in checking out other books by this author, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has read and enjoyed books by Khaled Hosseini.
March 15, 2015
I got the privilege of getting a pre released copy of this book through a giveaway listed by the author
In this poetic and introspective novel, after an Afghan woman marries for love in a culture of arranged marriages and multiple wives, she begins a lifelong journey of self-discovery filled with betrayal and forgiveness.
A highly personal story that mines the psychology of betrayal and forgiveness in an Afghan psyche.
A must read!
In this poetic and introspective novel, after an Afghan woman marries for love in a culture of arranged marriages and multiple wives, she begins a lifelong journey of self-discovery filled with betrayal and forgiveness.
A highly personal story that mines the psychology of betrayal and forgiveness in an Afghan psyche.
A must read!
November 29, 2015
The story of one woman who wants to feel the power of true love in her life. Set in the Middle East, the story does capture war, takeovers, taliban, etc. BUT it does not provide the meat of the book and it does not bring forth current day memories as you read it. I was thankful for that. The characters are charged and you feel who they are as you read. I think all women will, at some point in the book, feel like she is writing about yourself in that diary. The novel is beautifully written, each sentence is captivating and/or depicts something powerfully emotional. I really enjoyed it.
August 28, 2015
This was a 3.5 for me, but I could not quite give it a 4. I read it for free through Amazon prime based on the great reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the setting and it was well told, but the author spent a little too much time "wallowing" in the character's self-pity at times (less was needed, we got the point.) Interesting to hear about Afghanistan history from the perspective of a wife.
March 30, 2015
Introduced to THE POPPY FIELD DIARY via a Goodreads First Reads win, the book relates the fictional story of an Afghan woman’s “love” marriage. The story’s emphasis on love and forgiveness contrasts sharply against the backdrop of factual accounts from the country’s long history with war. Definitely an enlightening and educational read.
March 2, 2015
I got this book as goodreads giveaway. It is indeed a great book. It is a great poetic, beautiful and powerful novel. This book would be especially great to be read by a woman.girl as the story revolves around her. No spoilers here. I would suggest this book to everyone and know for themselves whats inside the book.
February 22, 2015
A beautifully written journey of an Afghan woman's life growing up, marrying, and having a family.
Cultural differences are fascinating and handled with care.
While the story is difficult at times, it's ultimately moving with lovely moments.
A five-star, must-read!
Cultural differences are fascinating and handled with care.
While the story is difficult at times, it's ultimately moving with lovely moments.
A five-star, must-read!
July 26, 2016
I would prefer to deduct half a star from my rating because of heavy-handed and excessive rumination on the themes of love and betrayal. The redundancies detracted from an interesting plot set in war-torn Afghanistan.
January 7, 2016
A wonderful and captivating story. Well developed characters. Beautifully written. I won this book through goodreads.
August 23, 2015
Powerful, spiritual, and a true way to understand forgiveness .
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