Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan born, doctor turned novelist who moved to the United States of America in the 80s. We all know him for his bestselling books, The Kite Runner and A thousand splendid suns. His books focus on the invasion of Afghanistan by the Taliban and the ruthless ruling by them. He gave an insight to the real world of Taliban and the sacrifices afghan people had to make to just survive. The women had to live with absolutely no fundamental rights and education whereas the men had to prove themselves to be toxically masculine and tough in order to survive the tortuous situations. What is common in most of his books is the coming of age of one or more of his characters and using the analogy of women as obedient,resistant and empowered when they learn about the patriarchal oppression they had been quietly enduring. We see flawed characters and see them realize and make up for it too. His books are a tearjerker and not for the faint hearted, but his books provide an outlet for so many untold stories of countries in war.
Stories that are meant to be heard and read and made aware of.
So here are 5 such books of countries in war that are worth reading and fathoming about
NADIA HASHIMI’S ‘THE PEARL THAT BROKE ITS SHELL’
Along the same lines as Khaled Hosseini’s novels, this American author, born to Afghan parents, writes about the sufferings and misfortune of women in the Taliban invaded afghanistan. In her debut novel, ‘The pearl that broke its shell’ , she describes the life story of two women , living in Afghanistan, centuries apart but tied by legacy. Rahima and Shekeiba are two women who are forced to live a life being someone they are not. It’s a tale of fate, powerlessness and sacrifice. This book leaves you hurt, shattered and leaves you thinking what all destiny is capable of and if there is god, why is he so unfair. This book will really trigger something in you, it is quite a heavy read so please read it when it’s the right time.
CHRISTY LIFTERI’S ‘THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO’
If there has to be one book you read from this entire list, please let it be this one.
While some of us were celebrating the win of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, a little boy somewhere in Aleppo or Damascus was going to school one last time.
Who decides that?
And if someone does, why is he so unfair?
How on earth can two people on different sides of the world go through such misery and happiness at the same time ?
How are there weddings and wars at the same moment?
Cry of a baby being born and the cry of someone’s baby being shot.
In a perfect world, we might have answers to these questions
But, the world is not perfect. It is unjust and unequal and cruel and catastrophic and devastating.
This book will move you to the core and it will leave you sobbing and calling you to read those acknowledgements, letting you know that it’s not Fiction. That it really happened.In a country which was once peaceful.
CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNI’S ‘INDEPENDENCE’
“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
– The Mahatma , a visionary of Independent, thriving, peaceful Bharat.
Imagine, having to start hating someone, solely because of their religion. Imagine if that is what is considered “duty”, to burn the houses of the enemy,to rape the women of opposite religion.
Would you rather be remiss or dutiful?
When it boils down to killing to live.
When all you have is rage but no reason for it.
When all is said and done & you’re left with broken pieces of your heart and soul.
All of it, for what, at the cost of what?
So much death for the birth of one new nation.
Independence is a story of three sisters , amid the independence movement and the partition of India.
Priya, an ambitious, sincere, doctor, who knew she had found the one.
Jamini, a physically challenged, highly misunderstood woman, who was unable to be loved by the one she loved.
Deepa , who fell in love and did everything to keep it, even if it was forbidden.
It’s their story and it’s the story of India, Who wept and wept, when she was on fire. When humanity was long forgotten.
It’s a story so touching and poignant , you’d feel yourself thinking about it even after days of completion.
MARKUS ZUSAK’S ‘THE BOOK THIEF’
The Book Thief is a novel everyone has seen lying on the bookshelves. Next time, pick it up. It is a historical fiction book based on the events that followed the holocaust. This novel follows Liesel Meminger aka our “Book Thief” who comes of age in Nazi Germany.
Fond of reading books in a world where it’s a sin to read anything but Mein Kampf, she resorts to stealing. The first book she steals is from the graveyard and it’s called ” The Gravedigger’s Handbook”
She ends up reading it with her foster father and realizes just how much she still has left to read.
And so it begins, The journey of this little girl, risking her life, just to READ.
She steals, she reads, she makes friends, places are bombed, and people die, one thing that continues in the basement of Himmel Street is a 9-year-old girl, writing a book, The Story Of Her Life. This book is stolen too, but guess who is the thief this time?
MARJAN KAMALI’S ‘THE STATIONERY SHOP OF TEHRAN’
Reading this book will be revolutionary to your reading experience. You will love every character in this book. It’s a book without villains and heroes. It’s a book that makes you feel for every single character in a way they are your own.
It’s a book you’ll cherish till the last page and recommend it to the generations to come.
In today’s age of ghosting, closure is something we all take for granted.
This story revolves around a couple whose mutual love for reading brings them close.
In a country in turmoil, when there are political protests and streets are getting bombed, Roya and Bahman’s love blossoms, In a tiny stationery shop of Tehran, run by the astounding Mr. Fakhri. Knowingly or unknowingly, he brings the two closer and gives the young couple hope.
A hope of a future together.
60 years later the lovers meet again only to get the closure they always needed, both moved on in their lives but not moved on from their past.
Things you’ll need after finishing this book :
A roll of paper towel
Hot choco and
A pillow to hug it out
Very well penned… Am definitely gonna read