And
the Mountains Echoed is Hosseini’s third work of fiction, after his debut
novel the The Kite Runner (2003, later
adapted into a film) and his second novel A
Thousand Splendid Suns (2007).
Hosseini is Afghani-American (born in Afghanistan, moved to the US in
1980), and worked as a physician before becoming a well-renowned novelist. Hosseini won a great deal of fame from his
debut novel The Kite Runner in 2003, and
therefore his third novel was welcomed with much anticipation and excitement.
Pari Wahdati is the central and connected character of many
in And the Mountains Echoed. Born to a poor family in the run-down village
of Shadbagh, at age three Pari is as curious and rambunctious as any
child. Pari enjoys a simple childhood in the town of
Shadbagh in Afghanistan. She lives with
her father, older brother, younger half-brother, and step-mother. With
her mother having died during her birth, Pari’s older brother Abdullah, seven
years her senior, is a central part of her life, playing the role of the mother
she lacks. He takes care of her, brings
her gifts, and loves her as if she were his own daughter. The family lives in poverty, and their
constant hardship is what leads Pari’s father to sell her to the couple his
brother-in-law works for in far-away Kabul.
This decision inevitably changes the shape of not only Pari’s life, but
every life had touched up until that point, and every life she would touch in
the future.
Having loved Hosseini’s two previous novels, I eagerly awaited
my turn to get my hands on this book (there were 40 requests ahead of me at the
library for the three or so copies). To
say I loved it as much as Hosseini’s other works would be a lie. The characters and the plot simply didn’t
hold the same intensity; they didn’t grab you and shake you up like Amir’s
deception in Kite Runner or Mariam’s
sacrifice in A Thousand Splendid Suns. I wouldn’t go as far to say that I disliked
the novel, but Hosseini set his bar high, and he just couldn’t reach the level
he did in his previous works. Now, what
I did LOVE about this novel was the way Hosseini connected the different people
in Pari’s life (and not JUST her family), adding engaging side-plots with their
own interesting relationships and conflicts.
From the Greek doctor who moved into the house in Kabul where Pari grew
up, to Pari’s step-uncle and his relationship with Pari’s adoptive father (also
his employer) in Kabul, Hosseini interlinked everyone in a creative and meaningful
manner. In some cases, these sub-plots
also shed light on the powerful political climate of Kabul in the 1980’s and
the war-damaged Kabul of the early 21st century. In other cases, they touched upon traditional
conflict, such parent-child relationships and dealing with a mental illness. Hosseini’s ability to effectively integrate
and connect multiple viewpoints showed that although the novel was a bit of a
drag at times, his narrative technique may be enough make this a winner.
Did I LOVE this book (like I LOVED Hosseini’s first two
novels)? Heck no. Did I enjoy it? Yeah, for the most part. I think this is a worthy read for any fan of
Hosseini’s first two novels, and any fan of popular fiction books. Although it had its dull points, Hosseini
took one event in one character’s life and created a web of enticing themes and
conflicts, at least one of which is sure to grab any reader. This novel also ends on a high note, showing
that although it may torment you your whole life, that irking feeling of not
belonging can bloom into something beautiful that, in the end, brings pure joy
and warms your heart.
