Come and chat to international bestselling author Khaled Hosseini about AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, and all his previous books, Thurs 5 June, 9-10pm

[TillyBookClub]

Bookclub's webchat guest for May is a bit of a superstar and we're very excited...Khaled Hosseini, author of THE KITE RUNNER, is one of the most widely read and beloved novelists in the world, with over 38 million copies of his books sold in more than 70 countries. His latest novel, AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, is an epic tear-jerker covering 50 years and featuring multiple characters, all connected to a father's terrible dilemma. It has all the elements of a classic Hosseini story, where war and conflict have disrupted families and sent shock waves through continents and generations. It is bitter-sweet and, as you'd expect, both heart-breaking and uplifting.

You can find out more on our book of the month page, or go to Khaled's US website for numerous videos about his career and excerpts from all his books.

Bloomsbury have 50 copies to give Mumsnetters - to claim yours please go to the book of the month page and fill in your details. WE'll post here when all the copies have gone.

We are thrilled that Khaled will be joining us to discuss AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED, his two previous books and his extraordinary life and career on Thursday 5 June, 9-10pm. So please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month, pop up any advance questions and we will see you all here, Thurs 5 June.

[yummum120]

fingers crossed, I have read his other titles and really enjoyed them

[AliceMumsnet]

This giveaway is now closed. We will notify those who have been selected to receive a free copy via email. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month, post a question for Khaled Hosseini and join us for the webchat Wed 4 June.

[yUMMYmUMMYb]

Delighted that I have been chosen to receive a free copy if this book. Thank you. I have read a few of Khaled Hosseini's books and loved them all. His style if writing is utterly captivating.

[yummum120]

Yaay.... Can't wait to get reading! Thank you

[ladydepp]

I received my copy today, thank you! Can't wait to read it. The Kite Runner is one of my top ten all-time favourite books.

[CatC78]

My book arrived today, thank you. Can't wait to get engrossed in it. I don't get much time to read but I'm positive it'll make my dull commute fly by!

[barricade]

Really great to hear that I will be receiving a copy of this .... I read the graphic novel version of Khaled Hosseini's first book, "The Kite Runner", which was awesome!! And as with his 2nd book, this one has such a cool title ... really looking forward to reading it!!!

:)

[Eriyi]

Thank you my copy has arrived. I'm looking forward to reading it x

[bubbles3563]

Wow, I'm loving this read so far... heartbreaking already but amazingly well written and engaging.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Just bought a copy of this, this morning (spur of the moment decision) so hoping to get it read before 4th June :)

[bubbles3563]

My review is up here: www.singlemotherahoy.com/2014/05/review-and-mountains-echoed.html

Absolutely loved this book.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Thanks for the free book. I finished it because it was free and because I knew MN were expecting me to comment on it. Where do we put our comments?

Not sure I want to post here if KH will be reading it all, as I didn't like the book!

[TillyBookClub]

Feel free to share comments here - Khaled will be on this thread reading them all at the end of the month, so I'll leave it to you to decide if you want to post! But often we've had out most illuminating discussions over books that divided opinion, particularly when the readers have explained what they found difficult, or had a question to ask the author about how the chose to structure the book. I think the more detailed you can be about your reactions then the more the author can engage in a bit of a debate about what they were trying to achieve and why it might not appeal to everyone. We had a brilliant chat about The Slap (a book that provoked strong opinions) because the author could get involved with readers over the aims and purpose of the book.

Looking forward to hearing all your thoughts, hope everyone has their copy..

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Okay. My biggest problem with it was that it tried to cover so much ground that it didn't actually (in my opinion) do anything very well. It wanted to be epic in scale, but the writing was very pedestrian, overall.

To me, the different, 'voices' lacked conviction, as they tried to cover too many characters and the writing wasn't subtle enough to establish convincing styles/tones for them all.

I felt it paid lip-service to so many ideas and issues, but didn't really emotionally or stylistically engage properly with any of them. It was as though he had a tick-list (must cover war, facial disfigurement, brotherly rivalry, dementia, oh wait, I forgot homosexuality etc etc) and that again, because it tried to do so much, it couldn't do any of it well.

I really liked, 'The Kite Runner' but I don't think this book, or, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' were anywhere near as effective. This one, in particular, felt both trite and cynical, to me. It lacked conviction and I feel it was rushed out to keep the publisher happy, rather than something driven by passion. I thought it was ultimately a rather lazy piece of writing.

Having said all that, I understand that many people probably loved it (and I know many people loved the second novel) so mine is just one opinion. I've passed the book on to a friend - if she finishes it whilst this thread is still running, I'll post her views too. She loved both of the previous ones.

[LorrieJ]

Thanks for the free copy. I have just started reading this and enjoying it so far.

[Uzma01]

I didn't get picked but managed to bag myself a free copy thanks to O2 Priority Moments & Love2Shop vouchers. Will start reading soon.

[Andrews55]

Thanks for my copy of this book. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

[DuchessofMalfi]

I'm starting this tomorrow. Will probably be coming on holiday with me, as I'm unlikely to have finished it by Friday :)

[yummum120]

I don't want to give too much information about the storyline, as to spoil it for those still reading.

The book started off really well, but then halfway I lost the plot. I did realise that each character had its own story and was linked with someone or the other. However as there was too much information squeezed in such little space, the script became confusing and made it difficult to stay on track.

Maybe I was comparing this book to his other two books too much, and as this book was formatted differently I didn't enjoy this type of layout with the multiple narratives and the introducing of new characters.

Overall It is a good read. I think the writing style was still good and had life. His descriptive writing always makes you want to read more. I liked how Khaled Hosseini described the emotions of each of the different relationships and the choices we have to make in life.

In this type of book, it's important to keep focused to enjoy it therefore I would suggest to read in short bursts, rather than try to finish it all off quickly. It was good where the writing was broken up as this was what kept me engaged, when I was losing focus a little.

The ending was not as I expected, but nonetheless it was still partly a happy one.

[Crackers83]

I'm really enjoying this book, I'm about half way through. The way the book is written from different characters is interesting and did surprise me as I was expecting from the blurb that this was focused around the initial journey to Kabul. I am intrigued how all the characters link and how the plot develops. I really enjoyed a thousand splendid suns as well.

[cabster]

I read this when very newly pregnant and the story the father tells his children in the first chapter had me in floods of tears. I agree with groupie about there being too many characters! one or two less would have served the book better, but I loved the writing style and got a lot out of the book overall :)

[sallyst123]

read all 3 of this mans books & wow what a writer. in each one he touches a persons soul that makes you think about the characters long long after the book has finished.
The mountains echoed wasnt my favorite of his works but i think that its because there is so much/ so many things to take in & care about you can just lose a little focus sometimes. It still made me cry though.
Keep those books coming Mr Hosseini you make us wait such a long time between each one. but they are so worth it when they are here!!
(on a sidenote gutted i didnt get a free copy mumsnet but was worth every penny that i got it for. maybe next time)

[Inlovewith2014]

Won this book but not yet read as currently reading another
I am savouring this one as I waited so long
The kite runner is the best book I ever read so hope this lives up to it!
This man is a genius x

[CheeseEMouse]

Thank you for my book. I love the style of writing, and am about half way through at the moment. Like cabster was very teary through the first chapter and I am finding myself getting a bit upset for the children. A sign that I am getting involved with the book, but I do sometimes wish for a little less sadness.

I have a bad habit of reading the final chapter of a book before actually finishing any book - I guess I like being reassured things will be ok...