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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
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.
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.
emotional
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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.
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:
Complicated
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.
A big saga about British colonialism in India and their attempt to take Afghanistan.
Ash is the son of two British citizens, who die when he is a small child. He is raised as the son of his Indian nursemaid and finds out he is English only when he is in his teens and his "mother" dies. He is unbelievably good and fair and because of his dual citizenship, able to see both sides of absolutely everything.
This book has everything, romance, battle strategy, political intrigue and strong characters.
Ash is the son of two British citizens, who die when he is a small child. He is raised as the son of his Indian nursemaid and finds out he is English only when he is in his teens and his "mother" dies. He is unbelievably good and fair and because of his dual citizenship, able to see both sides of absolutely everything.
This book has everything, romance, battle strategy, political intrigue and strong characters.
I may come back to it one day... I may not. It is beautifully written. But there are *multiple* places where I felt like the story could have come to a close... And then it didn't. And there was so much more to read.
Was given this by my GCSE English teacher after I had lent her Green City in the Sun by Barbara Wood (which is fantastic imo) and while I enjoyed much of it, it just felt... Dragged out.
I should give it another go perhaps and push through the last 100 pages or so.
Was given this by my GCSE English teacher after I had lent her Green City in the Sun by Barbara Wood (which is fantastic imo) and while I enjoyed much of it, it just felt... Dragged out.
I should give it another go perhaps and push through the last 100 pages or so.
Mixed reviews for this book. I love the sweeping saga of the story and the time period and setting, but was frustrated by the author’s tendency to “tell not show.” Some might say I should have expected this from a 900+ page book and they’re probably right. It was frustrating that the main character makes it through so many scrapes and that the author takes the time to explain why that would of course, occur. On top of that, the main character is held up to be a hero, but he has an abusive and controlling relationship with his wife.