Staff Pick
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad
The Bookseller of Kabul is an amazing book written by Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad. The book takes the form of a novel, but is based on the life of a real family living in the troubled Afghan city of Kabul. While in Afghanistan reporting on the fall of the Taliban, Seierstad met the bookseller Sultan Khan in one of his many shops. After numerous visits to the bookstore, Seierstad was invited for dinner at Khan’s home where she met his large family and ended up living with them for many months for the purpose of writing a book about the life and struggles of regular people in Afghanistan.
As the eldest son of his deceased father and the owner of many successful bookstores in Kabul, Sultan Khan is the undisputed ruler and provider for his large family. This family includes his widowed mother, younger brothers and sisters, two wives, and their children. Throughout the years Sultan has struggled and fought to maintain his bookstores through times of war, religious fundamentalism, and censorship. Despite the threat of severe punishment, Sultan continuously defied the “Morality Police” by buying and selling books of all genres and subjects, including those deemed to be unlawful by the Taliban. In order to expand and run his business, Sultan pulled his brothers and sons out of school and forced them to work in his many bookstores across Kabul. The female members of his family including his sixteen-year-old wife Sonya are confined to the home cooking and cleaning for the men, all the while ensuring that the reputation and honour of the family is upheld by their good behaviour. The Bookseller of Kabul is a heartbreakingly honest portrayal of family life in Afghanistan.
In addition to an interesting story with memorable and endearing characters, The Bookseller of Kabul also provides readers with factual information and insight on Afghan history, culture, and traditions. This book is highly recommended for its quality of writing, strong storytelling, and educational benefits.
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