•  
    FanB14 05-24-13
    FanB14 05-24-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    7485
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    197
    172
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    555
    4
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Does the End Justify the Means"

    Hosseini writes and narrates an amazing and morally complex novel, hooking you from the start. A dark fairytale sets the scene for the many stories to come. The reader is once again in Afghanistan, but the trip feels completely different from "The Kite Runner" which was a unlike "A Thousand Splendid Suns". You also travel to other destinations and times as the seemingly disparate stories tie together.

    What astounds me about this novel is how complex, thoughtful, and new are the scenarios and characters. While many authors churn out the same books year after year because the market supports this (i.e. Sparks or Piccoult), Hosseini took his time to create thought-provoking characters grappling with insurmountable odds.

    In the beginning, a father faces a devastating loss and must choose the right path for his children. A choice he'll remember and possibly regret for the rest of his days. The overall theme is of making difficult decisions and living with the consequences. It begs the question, "does the end justify the means"? I won't give more details as not to spoil the experience. I found this novel rich, thought-provoking, haunting, and powerful.

    More Less
    149 of 155 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Joange Rice, VA, United States 09-07-13
    Joange Rice, VA, United States 09-07-13 Member Since 2013
    HELPFUL VOTES
    211
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    323
    90
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    12
    2
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "The narrations added to the story's authenticity"

    Another beautiful story by Khaled Hosseini. Like his other books, it is filled with sadness, hope and the importance of family. Unlike other readers who did not care for the narrations, they added so very much to the story. All the voices were understandable to me and made the story come alive. This is a story that spans generations and how the endless wars in Afghanistan have resulted in many levels of futility.

    More Less
    21 of 23 people found this review helpful
  •  
    JuliaRose NY 12-07-13
    JuliaRose NY 12-07-13 Member Since 2013
    HELPFUL VOTES
    35
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    54
    12
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "DON'T LISTEN TO OTHER REVIEWS ON NARRATION!!"

    So many reviews are commenting on the narration and their dislike for the accent. To say the narrator sounds like he "has a mouthful of marbles" is offensive. It's an accent not a speech impediment.
    Personally I found the narration to add to the story. If you loved The Life of Pi you will enjoy this narration. Listening to an audiobook that deals with different cultures, I expect to hear those different cultures. This book would not have had the same inpact on me if it were spoken in an american accent.

    More Less
    27 of 31 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Jim "The Impatient" 05-29-14
    Jim "The Impatient" 05-29-14 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    48914
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    1475
    1442
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1156
    16
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "THE POMPOSITY OF THE PLACE"

    A MAN CAN NOT WORK IF HE IS THIRSTY
    Chapter one is a fable and it is good.
    Chapter two is not good and read by a guy who sounds like he has a swollen tongue.
    Chapter three is fairly interesting about twin sisters, one is beautiful and one is ugly. Hosseini often has people in his stores who are not pretty. In other words, real people. This is read by a heavy accented woman, but her tongue is not swollen.
    Chapter four is a very long boring story. (couple of hours long) The only thing interesting about it is that it is a different culture and the gay issue. If this had been written about the same guy in the United States it would have not been worth publishing. I like my neighbors, but their lives are not worth reading about anymore then my life is.
    Chapter five is read by Mush Mouth and I called it quits.

    I loved The Kite Runner and A thousand Splendid Suns. This is written well like they are, but the story is not interesting.

    Why the producers of audio books have not figured out how important the narrator is to the story I have not figured out. A lot of sales well be lost, because the producers could not figure out the effect of Mush Mouth.

    More Less
    15 of 17 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Michael San Diego, CA, United States 02-22-14
    Michael San Diego, CA, United States 02-22-14 Member Since 2015
    HELPFUL VOTES
    4
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    2
    1
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "I easily understood the narrations"
    Any additional comments?

    The book is another excellent work by Khaled Hosseini that captures the challenges of the human condition. My dyslexia makes pleasure reading difficult and I put off listening to the book for a year because of the negative comments concerning the narration. After reading Jane's review, I purchased and listened to the book. The narration was easy to understand and the accented voices added to the dramatic presentation. Thanks Jane

    More Less
    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Vivian Caldwell 08-17-13
    Vivian Caldwell 08-17-13
    HELPFUL VOTES
    34
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    6
    2
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Wonderful Story (But Get it in Print)"

    I loved this story, but for much of the time I was struggling to understand two of the narrators. There is no reason that I can think of that multiple narrators were even needed. It added nothing to the story. In fact, the difficulty that I had in understanding the heavily accented English often detracted from the story. Get this one in print and enjoy (and understand) every word.

    More Less
    34 of 42 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Amazon Customer 06-02-17
    Amazon Customer 06-02-17 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    2
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    23
    1
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    0
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Disappointed!!"

    I have read his previous books and I loved them, however I am so disappointed with this book!!

    It has a very STRONG start and you get attached but as the story develops it gets weaker, boring and splashed all over the place!!

    So to summarize I would say Beautiful beginning Boring ending.

    I liked the parts where Khalid him self was narrating but was not a fan of the other two narrators! (Unclear and heavy accent) however i liked the parts where music was added between some emotional parts .....

    I would not recommend this book but highly recommend the previous 2

    More Less
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Margaret 12-27-14
    Margaret 12-27-14 Member Since 2018
    HELPFUL VOTES
    154
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    80
    51
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    1
    0
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Six decades in the history of an Afghan village"

    A touching story beautifully told. Life in this Afghan village was not easy in the early 1950s when the story begins. Mothers die in childbirth. Babies die of cold because their fathers cannot keep food on the table and fuel in the fireplace. Families sell their young children for money to keep the rest of the family alive.
    The story at the center of this complex novel is that of a brother and sister: she sold at age 3 to a wealthy childless artist in Kabul; he remaining with his father and the hard life in the village; and a lifetime of planning to reunite with his little sister. Branching off these two characters and their story are many characters and story lines set in divers countries and cities over 60 years. It's not a light read; there's a lot of real life in it. Lit freaks, prepare to be engrossed.
    Narration: excellent

    More Less
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Ruthanne Davis Abilene, Texas USA 03-02-14
    Ruthanne Davis Abilene, Texas USA 03-02-14 Member Since 2013
    HELPFUL VOTES
    40
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    27
    21
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    5
    2
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "AND THIS BOOK ECHOES...."
    What did you love best about And the Mountains Echoed?

    The brilliant twists and turns of the plot. Dr. Hosseini is brilliant at captivating your interest and holding you hostage till the end.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of And the Mountains Echoed?

    The medical descriptions.


    What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

    Great depth of feeling...you feel as though you are experiencing every scene.


    Any additional comments?

    Khalad Hosseini and Abraham Verghese are two of my favorite authors...and both are physicians of note. Somehow they capture the heart and soul of their characters and, with their beautiful prose, make you feel honored to meet and experience their characters lives.

    More Less
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  •  
    Ella toronto,, Ontario, Canada 08-19-13
    Ella toronto,, Ontario, Canada 08-19-13 Member Since 2016
    HELPFUL VOTES
    1621
    ratings
    REVIEWS
    347
    105
    FOLLOWERS
    FOLLOWING
    170
    5
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    "Ruined by narrators"

    I was so looking forward to this book. I loved both Hosseini's previous books. He was his own narrator on the Kite Runner and did a really good job, but this book was totally ruined by the readers. It doesn't happen often, but once in a while I have to admit to preferring reading over listening and this is one of those times. Sorry folks, can't agree on the high ratings on this one.
    I'm sure once I let a little time pass, purchase the actual book and read it, my review on Amazon will be much different.
    Hosseini only narrates one of the chapters, the rest are read by a man who sounds like he has marbles in his mouth and an accent too strong to be narrating and a woman with a raspy monotone voice.

    More Less
    36 of 48 people found this review helpful