Talk:The Bookseller of Kabul

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Book review By ASM Nasim Akhter, Solicitor ,NSW Supreme Court,Australia

How to improve the article?

I just finished the book, and would like to improve the article, but don't really see what Wikipedia wants in such a case. Without firsthand knowledge of conditions in Afghanistan, all I could address is the book itself. It's well written, but not really thematic...

I do have the feeling that she made an honest attempt to understand the stories of what was going on, but these are definitely stories with multiple viewpoints, and I think a real evaluation of the book would need to start with the reactions of the various participants to what she wrote. She definitely went beyond the simple facts, but without considering motivations the facts have no meaning.

Next I will loan my copy of the book to a friend from an Arab country, and I'll probably discuss it with him, and hopefully remember to check back here to see if there are any suggestions about what could or should be added to the article. Shanen (talk) 00:25, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

The Bookseller of Kabul

Author :Asne Seierstad The bookseller of Kabul is a story of an Afghan family where you can find how a man can dominate the life of others. It is surprising to know that such domination is within their blood. With predominant malevolent society women has forgotten to fight for their rights. At one stage of ones life everyone experiences loneliness. But someone like Leila who hasn’t been alone in her whole life doesn’t miss anything like that. Living along with 12 other people under the same roof, she didn’t know how it feels to be alone.This is the story about Afghan tradition, where word of the head of the family is law. A story where girls are killed by parents/brothers to save family honor. (You will be amazed by their definition of family honor). Afghanistan is a country where every one hates Taliban and still they managed to outweigh all other groups for at least for a while. You can ask yourself why? It is everyone’s dream that his or her fairy king Zahir Shah will return after the elimination of the Taliban era and bring peace and happiness and above all freedom of the woman. The war torn society creates a gap among the living and creates class. One with two fingers left in his hand feels convenient to tell others that land mine has blown his fingers than the real truth (a car battery has blown those fingers). Why? The answer lies into the afghan mind.The lead character of this book Sultan khan is full of surprises. He has got passion for books, a very good businessman, God fearing but very much a male chauvinist. He got married twice and favors his second wife simply because she is young and pretty. Khan bribes the family of his very reluctant second wife to permit him unheard-of liberties (premarital sex with young Sonya) with their beautiful, fertile and illiterate 16-year-old daughter before the marriage.Here lies the point that even though we know that Islam rules afghan society, in reality money can make the difference. The existence of homosexuality, prostitution in Khost (a province in Afghanistan) proves human nature prevails over the strict regulation of Islam.Tjmir is a young boy who loves his mother beyond anything in this world. At the same time a lot of characters in this books shows how little respect is shown to the Afghan mothers.The book tells us of some excellent afghan poems, funny jokes, rituals in different tribal celebrations and the ignorance of afghan leaders about the world.Anyway it’s just a remarkable story about an Islamic society, which reveals life is mostly controlled by the culture and traditions of a society than a religion.To read this book it might be helpful if you know the Afghan War history. If you don’t know anything about the Mujahedin Hero Ahmed shah Masoud, ignore that. Without such knowledge this book is still enjoyable.

I'm reading the book and I'm appalled. This woman knows nothing about Islam but, worse, she doesn't know about the western problems either. I'm sure that she believes that US is a democracy and knows nothing about US and allies foreign policy. She doesn't know or pretend she doesn't? Unethical, she is unethical. What a shame! I just read the book and this is bad journalism helping Islamophobic propaganda. How convenient she went to Kabul just after 9/11. What a wonderful world! --Justana (talk) 12:52, 12 September 2012 (UTC)

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BetacommandBot (talk) 04:55, 12 February 2008 (UTC)

Adding link to the court case but link I have is from Irish newspaper and haven't been able to find anything relating to the appeal however I do feel it is relevant to include the ruling as the page at the minute implies a judgement has not been made —Preceding unsigned comment added by Manktelr (talk • contribs) 19:44, 1 October 2010 (UTC)

court case

Adding link to the court case but link I have is from Irish newspaper and haven't been able to find anything relating to the appeal however I do feel it is relevant to include the ruling as the page at the minute implies a judgement has not been made

Manktelr (talk) 19:46, 1 October 2010 (UTC)