Scan barcode
chrisp71's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
steffers7's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting writing style - a bit confusing sometimes in the way that the person speaking changes without any warning. But for a weird style the effect was like the smooth transitions of a movie, so not giving introduction to the changes kind of worked. A sad story, but it felt realistic. Pretty easy to read.
tentatividiauro's review against another edition
la cura, quello che frega le donne è la cura.
e così per amore ammazzi e t'ammazzi. a prescindere dalla cultura e dal mondo in cui sei nata e cresciuta.
quello che ci frega è la cura.
ma poi alla fine gli unici sconfitti sono gli uomini.
e noi in qualche modo ce la caviamo sempre.
e così per amore ammazzi e t'ammazzi. a prescindere dalla cultura e dal mondo in cui sei nata e cresciuta.
quello che ci frega è la cura.
ma poi alla fine gli unici sconfitti sono gli uomini.
e noi in qualche modo ce la caviamo sempre.
"avere una risposta a tutto non ti mette al riparo da ciò che il domani tace. l'erudito sapeva molte cose, ma ignorava l'essenziale. vivere è anzitutto tenersi pronti a che il cielo ti cada sulla testa. [...] prendi le cose come vengono, non farne un dramma, non farla tanto lunga; non sei tu a condurre la barca, ma il corso del tuo destino"
sageharlow's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful! More 4.5 than 4. I’ve now called it a mix between Kite Runner and Woman at Point Zero. So my taste, and I absolutely loved the way that it descended into its core themes and conflicts, letting you build a connection with the characters before throwing them into the thick of it. Thoughtful, introspective, and then absolutely riveting.
luciebrt21's review against another edition
5.0
Kaboul la maudite qui apprend tous les jours à tuer et à dévivre
kimbofo's review against another edition
3.0
This is the third novel by Yasmina Khadra that I have read: the first, The Attack, was set in war-torn Israel; the second, The Sirens of Baghdad, was set in war-torn Iraq; and this, Swallows of Kabul, was set in war-torn Afghanistan.
All three books explore long-established cultures being torn apart at the seams, usually from within — and while considered and intelligent, all are unbearably bleak with little joy in the narratives.
First published in 2002, Swallows of Kabul examines what it is like for ordinary citizens to live under brutal Taliban rule before the American invasion in the wake of 9/11.
When the book opens we are immediately thrust into the dark reality of a public execution and by the time the narrative comes full circle, just 195 pages later, we are back in the stadium to see another condemned person put to death by the state.
In between, we meet two very different couples whose lives become intertwined in an inexplicably cruel and unusual way. They are: Mohsen Ramat, an educated young man who once wanted to be a diplomat; his beautiful wife, Zunaira, who has had to give up her career as a magistrate because women are no longer allowed to work; Atiq Shaukat, a jailer who guards prisoners who have been sentenced to death; and his wife, Musarrat, who is dying of an unspecified, incurable illness.
To read the rest of my review, please visit .
All three books explore long-established cultures being torn apart at the seams, usually from within — and while considered and intelligent, all are unbearably bleak with little joy in the narratives.
First published in 2002, Swallows of Kabul examines what it is like for ordinary citizens to live under brutal Taliban rule before the American invasion in the wake of 9/11.
When the book opens we are immediately thrust into the dark reality of a public execution and by the time the narrative comes full circle, just 195 pages later, we are back in the stadium to see another condemned person put to death by the state.
In between, we meet two very different couples whose lives become intertwined in an inexplicably cruel and unusual way. They are: Mohsen Ramat, an educated young man who once wanted to be a diplomat; his beautiful wife, Zunaira, who has had to give up her career as a magistrate because women are no longer allowed to work; Atiq Shaukat, a jailer who guards prisoners who have been sentenced to death; and his wife, Musarrat, who is dying of an unspecified, incurable illness.
To read the rest of my review, please visit .
agla's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
oisbell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
3.0
elvadot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25