Book Review: The Bookseller of Kabul

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

The Bookseller of Kabul     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Asne Seierstad
Class/Genre:   Non-Fiction   Biography

Seierstad is one of the international journalists who streamed into Kabul after the Taliban were ejected. She struck up a casual friendship with Sultan, who operated a bookshop in Kabul. Making friendly coversation with him, she learned of his long struggle to preserve his inventory and his impressive personal collection of rare books and documents. One thing led to another, and he invited her to visit his home, and eventually offered her the opportunity to live with his family for several months.

As a Western woman, Seierstad was welcomed into conversations among the men, when the Afghani women were excluded. Nevertheless, the women of his family offered her warm affectionate hospitality as well.

Out of these several months and many probing interviews, Seierstad has produced this remarkable book. We gain an intimate view into the life of a family definitely "middle class" which nevertheless deals with the harshest of living conditions. Severe limits on electricity, fresh water, educational opportunity, and public health and safety are all parts of their everyday life.

Their home, once comfortable and accomodating, has been battered by years of war and shortages of the most basic maintenance. Dust permeates everything. The women move through a mind numbing, back breaking daily routine. The young men yearn for an active social life, and struggle to assist their father in maintaining the several retail shops he operates. A first wife must make way for a younger, more attractive second wife. Sultan, the liberal open minded bookseller, is a rigidly traditional Muslim head of his household, and all daily events move in his orbit.

A truly engrossing read!

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM