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crimsonpetal's review
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
aunesofia1993's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
alidottie's review
2.0
Although I only gave this nearly 1200page book 2 stars, I know that I was glad I read it. I feel like it gave me some understanding of how divided the area of Iraq/Pakistan/Iran, etc has been for centuries. With all that has happened and is happening in this area since, I feel like too many people with zero understanding of the peoples and history of this area have very strong opinions. Maybe they would benefit from even reading a little historical fiction!
wendy458's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
colleengeedrumm's review
4.0
But I cannot see anything admirable in stupidity, injustice and sheer incompetence in high places, and there is too much of all three in the present administration.
The worst thing in the world is injustice. That means being unfair.
Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes. - Aurora Leigh
Faust's words on seeing Helen of Troy: 'Oh thou art fairer than the evening air, clad in the beauty of a thousand stars!'
'"Take what you want," says God. "And pay for it."'
If one has been born once, why not again?
'What is written, is written.'
No more Juli for ever and ever. For ever and ever...Amen.
...that were full of strolling citizens come out to 'eat the evening air'.
'Do not look back.' The past is the last refuge if the defeated - or the aged - and there is as yet no need for you to number yourself among either. Tell yourself what is done is done, and put it away and forget it. Do not let yourself remember and try to live on memories. That is well enough for old men who have had their day, but it is bitter fare for the young. Look forward not back as life is a gift from the gods and therefore not a thing to be despised or wasted. Live it to the full.
...believed that the plain of Kabul is the Land of Cain - that same Nod that lies to the east of Eden. Savagery is near the surface and could break through at any moment and that the line drawn between good-will and bloody violence is thinner there than anywhere else in the world. They live in the past and are hostile to change and to strangers, while the majority of their citizens not only look like cut-throats, but can behave as such if they happen to take a dislike to you.
The onlooker sees most of the game.
Sura of the Merciful - shall the reward of goodness be anything but good?
For it is written in the Book that "all who live on earth are doomed to die".
A cat may look at a king.
As some said, that when men died their spirits returned to the place that they had loved best during their lifetime.
Because Afghanistan is no country to fight a war in - and an impossible one to hold if you win.
How can man die better than facing fearful odds?
Most men and all women can be hard and cruel when their homes and families are threatened.
The worst thing in the world is injustice. That means being unfair.
Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes. - Aurora Leigh
Faust's words on seeing Helen of Troy: 'Oh thou art fairer than the evening air, clad in the beauty of a thousand stars!'
'"Take what you want," says God. "And pay for it."'
If one has been born once, why not again?
'What is written, is written.'
No more Juli for ever and ever. For ever and ever...Amen.
...that were full of strolling citizens come out to 'eat the evening air'.
'Do not look back.' The past is the last refuge if the defeated - or the aged - and there is as yet no need for you to number yourself among either. Tell yourself what is done is done, and put it away and forget it. Do not let yourself remember and try to live on memories. That is well enough for old men who have had their day, but it is bitter fare for the young. Look forward not back as life is a gift from the gods and therefore not a thing to be despised or wasted. Live it to the full.
...believed that the plain of Kabul is the Land of Cain - that same Nod that lies to the east of Eden. Savagery is near the surface and could break through at any moment and that the line drawn between good-will and bloody violence is thinner there than anywhere else in the world. They live in the past and are hostile to change and to strangers, while the majority of their citizens not only look like cut-throats, but can behave as such if they happen to take a dislike to you.
The onlooker sees most of the game.
Sura of the Merciful - shall the reward of goodness be anything but good?
For it is written in the Book that "all who live on earth are doomed to die".
A cat may look at a king.
As some said, that when men died their spirits returned to the place that they had loved best during their lifetime.
Because Afghanistan is no country to fight a war in - and an impossible one to hold if you win.
How can man die better than facing fearful odds?
Most men and all women can be hard and cruel when their homes and families are threatened.
emzapk's review
5.0
Probably a 4.5 but rounding up because of how gripping this was. I should be asleep right now but I absolutely could not put it down. The very definition of an "epic," with seriously masterful storytelling. Also, so much interesting information about India and Afghanistan - aka my most favorite type of historical fiction, where you're enjoying an excellent story and also learning about history. Would recommend to anyone willing to read a FAT book, she's a chonk. I'm a huge fan.
gwenkooi's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
cemoses's review
3.0
It is much more political and historical and less romantic than I thought it would be. Large parts contain a lot of information about the Britsh army in India-some of which I found overly detailed and I like history.
However, the end I found moving.
However, the end I found moving.
ckurnath003's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sjgrodsky's review
1.0
I really tried to like this book. I read the first 250 pages before setting it aside to read something else for a book club meeting. And I just had no interest in returning to it. There is certainly a good story that could be told: the theme of a man being caught between cultures is a good one. Being caught between a colonial power and a subject people is a better than good theme. But the author hadn't addressed these themes in a meaningful way by the time my patience ran out.