Book Review: The Swallows of Kabul

This is the second book that I borrowed from a friend in my book club. I read this in July so this is again another fairly belated review. In Yasmina Khadra's (pen name of Algerian author Mohammed Moulessehoul) The Swallows of Kabul, we meet two couples living in Taliban controlled Afghanistan. In my opinion, the novel comes down to how the uncharacteristic brutality of person's action can be the catalyst that changes the course of four lives. Three quarters of the way into this book a heart wrenching sacrifice reminded me that I had in fact read this book before  (pre 2007 when I started keeping track!). Like the Kite Runner, Khadra's The Swallows of Kabul sheds light on a tumultuous period for Afghanis.

I did not so much "enjoy" this book , but I was thoroughly moved by how people can face such adversity and continue their attempts to move forward through tragedy.