By Khalid Hosseini
Synopsis
In this action packed historical fiction, Amir and Hasan share a unique relationship set in the 1970s in Afghanistan. While their country is being torn between foreign invasion and local divide, the boys are tested through personal traumatic events which change their life course and then divide them as Amir flees with his family to the United States as refugees.
However, despite his success in the US, Afghanistan still haunted him, especially the memories of his loyal friend Hasan: the friend that was raped before him while he did nothing to stop the offenders.
In this realistic tale, Amir is set to redeem his past and fix his wrongs, by going in one more time to the ghost of his country, Afghanistan.
Characteristics that fit into historical fiction
- Specific locations in Afghanistan described accurately in accordance to the time period of the story.
- Explanations of political events and their aftermath, thus blending fiction in harmony with nonfiction.
- Phrases in Pashtun said by the characters.
- Excellent depiction of Afghan traditions and culture.
Read-a-likes
Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra
Women of Sand and Myrrh by Hanan Al Shaykh
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubois III
This is a good pick, I have heard the book is excellent although I have not read it. At first I was surprised because I always think of historical fiction as really old so this made me realize that historical fiction can be from more recent centuries. Saricks says Historical fiction have a moral and I am sure that there is a moral for Amir and Hasan. It is also a little somber also a theme in historical fiction according to Saricks.
ReplyDeleteI also have heard that this is a great book but never read it. I don't think I really knew what it was about either. It sounds really intriguing from your annotation though. I agree with Patricia, in that, I never thought of this book as a historical fiction but it is indeed that. (I still have a hard time remembering that 2005 for 10 years ago too lol) Your summary makes it sound like nonfiction so I am glad that it does talk about actually events as well.
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