And The Mountains Echoed - Book Review

Khaled Hosseini’s new novel “And the Mountains Echoed” was not the “Kite Runner.” I wanted to love this book like I loved the “Kite Runner” but didn’t. The chapters were long and characters came into the story in one chapter and you never heard from them again as in Chapter Three, for example. Hosseini, however, kept the same intensity as his other two books where tragedy occurs then you’re left speechless when it happens. Overall the novel was enjoyable but wasn’t a “page-turner” like many other books I’ve read.

The first chapter begins with a father telling his small children a fable where the theme of the novel emerges – family and making hard decisions that will affect the rest of your life. In that respect, Chapter Three is about two sisters where one is envious of the other. Hosseini shocks the reader with an ending that digs deep into your psyche; I was disturbed what transpired reading those last words. 

Perhaps Hosseini wants you to make connections as you read each chapter with your own hard choices. Maybe you didn’t want to make these decisions but in retrospect, it was the right choice. I related to both Pari characters where they both seemed lost subconsciously and a past that was forgotten. A brother continues to grieve for his sister by keeping her treasures safe for his entire lifetime. It seems every character can’t find their way in the world, regret and an agonizing feeling that can’t seem to go away.  

Another chapter that was a stretch as a cohesive story was Chapter Five. Two characters appear in Kabul where a doctor becomes attached to a sick child and he ultimately regrets the lies that he tells when he goes back to the US. The doctor is successful and remembers his trip where war is a reality and people are struggling to get by. Just like Hosseini’s other novels, I enjoy reading the details about the countries the characters are emerged into and how they deal with their environment. The descriptions are so vivid that you get a good representation of what it’s like.

My favorite chapters, however, were the last two where you finally get the back story of Mr. Markos (he was mentioned in the beginning of the novel); it’s set in the tiny Greek Island of Tinos and it brings me back to when I visited the beautiful islands – a clean breeze, a clear aqua sea and homemade, fresh food. Markos’ mother is just like every other Greek woman, strong willed and won’t take any nonsense from anyone. “She was —is—a woman of enormous will, a woman without apology, and not a woman with whom you want to have a dispute . . .” Yes, this describes my Greek mother perfectly. 

I appreciate Hosseini’s descriptions phonetically spelled out in Greek, “ . . . a cup of ellinikós kafés” meaning, Greek coffee. I felt nostalgic as I thought of my own Greek mother anxiously reading the coffee sediment of the coffee cup (the cup is turned upside down and the sediment is read like tea leaves).

Markos grows up quickly when he has to deal with a disfigured visitor at his home – he’s uncomfortable as any young child would be as he calls her a “monster” but his Greek Mother sets him straight. ‘“She’s a person who has had a terrible thing happen to her. Call her that name again, I’d like to see you. Say it and see what happens.”’ Strong willed mother who respects everyone and treats them with respect. Markos and the visitor, Thalia form a bond that continues throughout his adult life. That is the other common theme in this novel: bonding. When a bond is formed, it continues throughout the life of the character. That is clear with Nabi and Mr. Wahdati; Pari and Abdulluh (sister and brother then father and daughter); Idris and Roshi; Adel and Gholam.

The other theme was how characters interact with a difference in class systems – the rich versus the poor. This was reflected in the relationship with Nabi and Mr. Wahdati where Nabi did everything for his master even when he had a stroke. His wife and child left and Nabi, indebted to his master, continues on when he’s thought about quitting. Nabi’s entire life revolved around Mr. Wahdati – he never left the house. Reality or fiction? There are many times you continue on out of loyalty even though other people might tell you to move on. 

Love and regret is what happens in life and Hosseini’s novel gives many examples of this theme. Everyone does their best to have a fulfilling life; mistakes and regrets just happen. The novel was an okay read where I’m glad I read it. The story came full circle as I read the last pages, even shedding a tear. I definitely recommend it but don’t expect a duplicate of “The Kite Runner.”

Hosseini, Khaled, “And the Mountains Echoed,” (2013), The Penguin Group Inc., New York, New York. 

Born to Sleep - Book Review

Did you know that the higher the price for sneakers, the worse they are for your feet? I, like everyone else who runs just assumed that this statement was true. Surprise, this cannot be further from the truth.

I recently read, “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall where he describes the Tarahumara Indians – Mexican ultrarunners that run miles upon miles in either bare feet or sandals made out of discarded rubber. They eat healthfully on pinole, and beans – living off the land unlike the American diet consisting of sugary drinks and boxed meals. Since I run on the weekends, the subject was intriguing. But, I found myself nodding off by his laborious descriptions on the Tarahumara and the authors quest to find, “Caballo Blanco (the white horse). The author heard a myth about this character as a great runner.

To put it bluntly, I didn’t care about his cast of characters nor how some of the verbiage was constructed. I didn’t understand the point.

As a voracious reader, when I’m engaged in a book, I cannot put it down nor do I want to stop reading. This book, however, I was eager to put it down. I wanted to like it because I’m a runner but it fell short until I miraculously made it to Chapter 25 – more than half way through the book.

Finally, the climax of the entire book occurred on that Chapter. It answered the author’s looming question why he wrote the book. “Why does my foot hurt?” It’s all in the footwear. The more expensive, high quality shoe cushions your foot where it isolates it from moving properly. Hence, your foot is designed to adjust to the environment; it’s supposed to take a beating. The scientists and researchers in the book state that all their subjects that ran preferred a low grade shoe. Furthermore, in the 1970s when these “slick, high-tech” gym shoes didn’t exist, bunions, knee or plantar fascia (the author never explained what this was) problems never happened. So true.

This brought me back to when I went to a podiatrist complaining of foot pain. The doctor couldn’t wait to give me a soft, pillow insole to put in my left shoe raising it higher than my right foot. It never solved the problem. Moreover years later, I ran my first marathon to excruciating pain in my knees. I was in so much pain that I almost ran to the side of the road and sit it out. I continued. After the marathon, I immediately went to the doctor telling him about the pain. “Oh, the pain isn’t in your knees, it’s your back. You need surgery.”

I don’t know what it was in my brain that told me to get a second opinion or just walk out the door. I thought to myself, there is no way I am going to have surgery. An image of a cripple seared into my consciousness. Quite honestly, I was frightened. Now, I’m thankful that I didn’t listen to that quack. It took several years before I had the courage to put on my running shoes and start back.

I can’t begin to describe what it is about running that I continually do it. An old habit, I guess. I started running when I was sixteen, a slightly overweight teenager. That was the only activity that I could do that was inexpensive. I’m not saying I have any talent in that regard, but just moving my body gave me purpose to get fit. Now, I workout, bike and run once a week to an almost “Tarahumara” diet.

The low grade shoe option I needed to try. I’ve been wearing “Asics” for years and years. Moreover, I wouldn’t buy any other shoe to run in. Now this book is telling me that they’re causing more harm then good. I have very bad bunions and some knee issues. I’ve got to try it.

Sunday morning, I found an old pair of Ann Taylor, canvas sneakers that I haven’t worn in years. I wore my specialized socks that wards off blisters and began running. Just like the book said, I didn’t have the foot problem I normally have when I run. Blisters, definitely. I somehow continued my normal route – about five miles. I hurt in the right places, legs and behind. I did get a weird stare from a runner, however, who looked at me like, “You’re running in those cheap shoes!” Damn straight I am!

I am going to integrate “barefoot” running into my regime. Now that I think about my childhood, I ran barefooted all the time and never had foot problems. Your foot is an amazing devise - it holds all of your weight.

I can’t give “Born to Run” a thumbs up but I am thankful that I was able to trudge through the nonsense and become educated on how the high end shoe is destroying our feet. How gel insole sneakers are a must that’s just a marketing ploy by all the manufacturers; a successful one at that. 


Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen
Christopher McDougall
www.borntorun.org