Negative Positive
Title: Moving, educational...sad but worthwhile...
Review: There are a few flaws in this first novel by a California doctor who grew up in Afghanistan, such as a couple of coincidences late in the book which strain belief, and a couple of instances of behavior on the part of its main character which seem too out-of-character for him. However, the good far outweighs the weak spots. It is a morality tale above all other considerations, and could have been set in any country or any time period. However, the depiction of life in Kabul in the '60's and 70's was surprising and fascinating. The country's woes under the Russians in the 80's and the Taliban in the '90's are better known than the more positive situation which dominated the two earlier decades. I am usually not very interested in novels about other cultures, but this one kept me hooked all the way through. It deserves the sales and respect being accorded to it.
Is the review positive or negative? 