And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, Starting on April 26th, 2014

[Rachmi]

In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most.

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Tessa and I want to read this latest book from Khaled Hosseini on April 26th. Everyone welcome to join us.

[Tessa]

Thanks for creating the topic Rachimi :) .

[Rachmi]

You're welcome Tessa. This will be my third book form Khaled Hosseini. Hope this is as great as the other two :) How about you, is it your first book from him?

[Jamie]

I've read his first two books from browsing copies on a bookstore XD. They were that good. So I have high expectations for this one. :)

[Rachmi]

Did you read a whole book or just skim it? but agree with you, his first two books are awesome. I especially love The Kite Runner.

Will you join us?

[Jamie]

Naw I don't skip pages. I sat the whole afternoon reading them. Sometimes I won't finish them but I go back the next day. :) I loved Kite Runner too and I even memorized the Arabic phrases. :D

And yes I'm gonna join you! :D

[Jamie]

After reading them, I felt bad I didn't buy anything. So I remember buying a magazine for the sake of buying something xD

[Rachmi]

Hahaha, I love being in the bookstore but I think I never sit down for hours to read a book :D But then most of bookstores here aren't friendly and uncomfortable to read for a long time :(

[Jamie]

Same here! But that one bookstore was really friendly. It got several couches. :P

[Tessa]

Rachmi wrote: "You're welcome Tessa. This will be my third book form Khaled Hosseini. Hope this is as great as the other two :) How about you, is it your first book from him?"

First, but I have all 3 of them. A friend of mine is a huge fan and keeps sending them my way. XD I decided to finally read one before she annihilates me XD.

[Rachmi]

Tessa wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "You're welcome Tessa. This will be my third book form Khaled Hosseini. Hope this is as great as the other two :) How about you, is it your first book from him?"

First, but I have al..."

Hahaha, how nice of her. I think I'm the same if I love a book, I'll keep talking and recommending and even sending it to my friends who want to listen to me and then they will eventually ask me to stop talking about it, lol

[Jamie]

Guys! I almost forgot about this. Will start this today. :)

[Rachmi]

Jamie wrote: "Guys! I almost forgot about this. Will start this today. :)"

I haven't started it yet, Jamie. Don't know about Tessa, though.

[Jamie]

I just read the first chapter and wow. That was a good story! :)

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "Guys! I almost forgot about this. Will start this today. :)"

I'll do the same then. Since Rachimi informed me she can't do this buddy read I kinda forgot about it XD.

Let's have fun! There might be another girl joining us for this as well. I'll go and poke her :) .

[clara]

and the other girl is here!
I read the first chapter, and I don't know if it's because It's not my usual genre but I didn't like it that much.
I'll give a try to the second in the day and let you know my thoughts :)

[Jamie]

@Clare - Welcome another girl! You didn't like it? But.. but.. :D :D

10% now and liking it so far. :)

[Tessa]

clare wrote: "and the other girl is here!
I read the first chapter, and I don't know if it's because It's not my usual genre but I didn't like it that much.
I'll give a try to the second in the day and let you ..."
The first chapter was an introduction to what's going to happen next. You'll see that the story will have an important meaning soon.

This is a story about life, not really YA, so maybe that's why you're not enjoying it. :/

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[I wonder why he had to give up his daughter. Probably to give her a better life, just like in the story. He was afraid she will die in the village...maybe. Anyway, I don't understand why he had to separate the 2, why he could not just let both of them live with his brother. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[This is getting better and better! The twins' story was so much better, more fast paced and full of emotions than the previous 2 ones. I also like how all these stories intertwine each other, Pawana being the stepmother. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: "clare wrote: "and the other girl is here!
I read the first chapter, and I don't know if it's because It's not my usual genre but I didn't like it that much.
I'll give a try to the second in the da..."

I wonder that too. Just finished chapt 2. (view spoiler)[I think he had to give her up because he's afraid of someone dying during the winter again. But then it isn't enough reason to give his daughter up imo. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

(view spoiler)[It could be. It's better to give up your child than to see him die. Again, donno why he kept the older boy. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: "Chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 3 - (view spoiler)[I love it too! Although I was a bit confused at first because I ignored the dates lol. But wth is with Parwana? How can she still sleep at nights after all the things she's done with her sister. She's consumed by the envy she felt since she was young. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: "Chapter 3
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 3 - [spoilers removed]"

Life is like that: you forget, you forgive, you just live. Anyway, from ch 4 you'll see that she didn't really had a happy ending.

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[So now it's time for her brother (The kids' uncle) to tell the story. With each new story I'm more invested in this book. :) It seems that they had to sell the little girl for money. And just like in the story, the father never forgave himself. He died of overworking himself after the boy left him as well. Unlike in the story, they never got a magical potion in order to forget her. :( (hide spoiler)]

P.S.: these chapters are becoming longer and longer... chapter 5 will take me a while.

[Jamie]

@Tessa - Chapt 4. (view spoiler)[Yeah, it seems they had to sell her. Parwana's brother mentioned how the father would never receive money from him so instead of asking money for his family to survive winter, he had to sell her daughter?

I love the Suleiman-Nabi story. Nabi's a good man for staying with Suleiman even if he's uncomfy when he found out about his secret feelings. I wonder what happened to Pari after her mother killed herself. :( (hide spoiler)]

The next chapters are indeed getting longer!

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "@Tessa - Chapt 4. Yeah, it seems they had to sell her. Parwana's brother mentioned how the father would never receive money from him so instead of asking money for his family to survive winter, he ..."
(view spoiler)[Pride is a dangerous thing. I also liked how Nabi dedicated his life to the man that saved him, even if he didn't love him the same way. It was a sweet story. :)
About Pari, more to come in chapter 5 :) . (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[Wow, this was probably the most surprising chapter from them all. How at first glance Timur looks like the bad guy with loose morals and Idris can't stop judging him, or maybe resenting him for always being able to do more. In the end, Idris is the one who won't keep his promise.
I'm also glad to see that Pari managed to meet with her brother in America and that they are living a safe, happy life :). (hide spoiler)]

The 6th chapter is from Pari's perspective. Can't wait to read it! :)

P.S.: can you believe we're only 50% in?!

[Tessa]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[This was an enjoyable chapter, like I thought it will be. :) I'm sad that Nila never told Pari the truth about her family. I guess she found her brother only when they were old. But now I'm confused, because the Pari mentioned in the restaurant where Abdullah worked is younger. It could be they haven't meet yet and that girl was his daughter named after his long lost sister. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ I thought this chapter was the least interesting but the end was surprising! It was really sad how Idris, whose got the best intentions for Roshi, was the one who had forgotten. Pari and Abdullah in California! Small world! (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: "Chapter 6
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[That was what I thought too. Because Pari in the resto was described as young. Maybe they wouldn't meet each other anymore. :( They're too old and they're too far apart. Pari doesn't even have an idea where too start looking and she's too old for it too. But I'm still hoping they would meet. It's a sad thing when people you've been all your life aren't honest with you. It's really sad. (hide spoiler)]

Starting Chapter 7 now. This book has the longest chapters!

[Jamie]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[I like how every story on this book is intertwined. Like how the little decisions made by people in the past has brought huge impact of the next generations.

So that was what happened to Pari's old home? Pari will be having a hard time finding her old family then if this was the case. This chapter has been the least significant of all the chapters I think and I hope the next chapters would shed us some light about Adel's role in the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "I thought this chapter was the least interesting but the end was surprising!"

Yes, the chapter itself was a little boring, but the ending was unexpected :).

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: "Chapter 6
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]

Starting Chapter 7 now. This book has the longest chapters!"

Yes, it was sad, and I do hope they will still find each other :(.

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "I like how every story on this book is intertwined. Like how the little decisions made by people in the past has brought huge impact of the next generations."

Yes, it's like a complicated puzzle that you have to recreate while reading the stories. Love it!

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[It's sad that Adel decided to continue on his father's path. I was hoping he would try to give more real hope to the people, but I guess he's still only a kid. About Pari and her home, yes, finding her brother will be even harder now. I do hope she will find at least Gholam and help him and his family, the rest of his family :(. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[Ok so, this one was a little boring. Thalia's story was interesting, but it kinda lacked in the credibility factor. At least, that's how I feel it. I know that the Greeks are pretty laid-back people, but I still don't think a disfigured person could find such a heaven in there, even if they were on a secluded island. I'm also sad to see that there was nothing in this chapter about Pari or her long lost family. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[Guess you were right, in the end, they did find each other a little too late. :( I don't think I actually understood Pari's reluctance to be happy and feel desire. to give up on her dream of painting and a chance to marry just to take care of her parents. Couldn't she do both?

Also, we never did find out what happened to Gholam. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: "Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[It was a boring chapter yea. Definitely a filler chapter. I hope the next chapters doesn't stray too far. I agree with it being implausible too. Or maybe Thalia's just really different. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 - (view spoiler)[It was so sad they found each other too late! :( She couldn't even remember about the feathers. That meant a lot for Abdullah. :(

I think Pari's reluctance of being free has something to do with cultural background too. In the Philippines, we don't have homes for the elderly. We have to take care of our old parents even if that means we couldn't go anywhere else. But yeah, she could've done both. She could've married the guy he loves and just move his father with them if she really wants to be the one taking care of his father.

There was no news of Iqbal and Gholam. I wish the older Pari found them and could've helped them. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

This was a great book but I think Khaled Hosseini's first two are far better!

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 - It was so sad they found each other too late! :( She couldn't even remember about the feathers. That meant a lot for Abdullah. :(

I think Pari's relu..."
The old Pari did find them, that's how she managed to find the younger Pari, but there's nothing mentioned regarding her helping them in anyway. I do hope she did.

Do the other 2 books have a more solid ending? I do want to try them as well if they do. :)

[Jamie]

Tessa wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 - It was so sad they found each other too late! :( She couldn't even remember about the feathers. That meant a lot for Abdullah. :(

I thi..."

I thought she didn't? She just stumbled upon an old friend of her half-brother right? (view spoiler)[And then she just asked the old friend if Iqbal knows someone named Abdullah. (hide spoiler)]

The other books had only two narrators which I think was better. Definitely more solid ending too. :)

[Tessa]

Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Tessa wrote: [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 - It was so sad they found each other too late! :( She couldn't even remember about the feathers. That meant a lot for Abdull..."
Probably lost that part. *sigh*

I hope I'll enjoy the other 2 more. The puzzle was fun, but it also got me confused at times and in the end, it still remained with a few missing pieces :( .