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.

[DuchessofMalfi]

I got about 200 pages left to go, and am speeding through it. Don't want to put it down :) Absolutely loving it. I like the different narrators, and how their stories all intertwine with each other. Hasn't made me teary, though - yet :o

[DuchessofMalfi]

That should say "I've got ......". Must remember to check before pressing send!

[DuchessofMalfi]

I finished reading it yesterday. Whilst I enjoyed the first part very much, I agree partly with what Remus and yum say. The latter part of the book disappointed me rather. I felt some of the stories didn't work so well.

Will comment further and ask question when back home from holiday (dodgy WiFi connection atm :))

[Kiwirose]

I love all of his books and his style of writing. I have read Mountains now an I like this book also. I did sometimes get a bit confused with how all the characters fitted together, but I am not sure if this is because I read the book in fits and starts. I could read it all again this time writing notes about who knows who and how they fit together - a map of the key characters. (I turned to the synopsis on the back cover for help, but no luck) Also there is so much in this book that I think you could read it several times and get different things from it.

There are some things that remain unanswered - what happened with the relationship between Pari and her third child for example. It is hard to tell if this is to leave the reader something to wonder about or because the book spans so many directions and couldn't cover everything. My favourite part by far was at the start of the book when Nabi was writing his letter, it was like you were inside his mind.

I love the author's style. It really does take you to another world, and I would love to read any future books. I have read the previous two books and loved both of them. I agree with the others comments that this isn't my favourite book. I think it is because it is epic in terms of timescale, characters and topics that it covers. It certainly isn't the worst book I have read, and as I say I think that I could read it again (and I don't often re read books as it isn't my thing)

[Yasmin1]

Loved reading this book. It is so beautifully written. From the beginning you are captivated & I continued to turn the page wanting to know the next part of the story. The story will pull at your heart strings. I loved the fact that their are different narrators and some chapters you wanted to know what happens next in their lives. Without spoiling the end I found sad and very poignant, however only slight negative was not what I was expecting. Definitely would recommend this book.

[TillyBookClub]

Thanks to all for their comments and reviews - it is time to put your advance questions here for Khaled so please post them over the next few days and we'll send on to him at the end of the week.

Looking forward to next Wednesday, hope you can all make it...

[DuchessofMalfi]

Ok, here's my question - I did like the way the story unfolds through different yet interconnecting narratives, but I felt that there were one or two too many, leaving some of the stories lacking sufficient detail to make them feel complete.

I apologise if I missed the point of this narrative, but why did you include the story of Markos Varvaris the Greek plastic surgeon? I thought he was really only a minor character with only a tenuous connection to the story. His tale didn't take the narrative onward and introduced extra characters who weren't connected in any way to the main story. It felt like a whole different novel could have developed from that tale!

Nevertheless it was a pleasure to read. I haven't read The Kite Runner yet, and am looking forward to reading that shortly :)

[PureTree]

I love this book. I read it a few months ago and plan to read it again soon. He writes so well. My absolute favourite author at the moment.

[BouncingJellyfish]

Read the first chapter today during my son's swimming lesson. Just one chapter and I was on the verge of tears. I can tell this is going to be a beautiful read.

[frogletsmum]

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy! Really enjoyed it, though I do agree with some of the comments upthread about the number of different narratives. I would have liked to know more about some of the stories, whereas others - such as Markos - didn't seem to be necessary to the main story. My favourite chapter was the one narrated by Nabi - it completely changed the picture I had of him from the earlier chapters, and I found his long, quiet devotion to Mr Wahdati very moving.

My question for Khaled: How did you decide which voices to write in the first person, and which in the third, and did you feel differently or maybe closer to the ones you wrote in the first person? Were you tempted to write Pari (either sister or daughter) in first person?

Thank you!

[Avdottie12]

Read this recently and am a big fan of Khaled Hosseini's books. This one did not disappoint. Transported to another land and another time Khaled enables us to attempt to understand a totally alien culture. However, I did feel a bit like we were rushed to the finishing line at the end and I didn't want the end to come! Looking forward to the next book - not so far apart please!

[Meow75]

I read Mountains ... it seems like ages ago, but I bought the e-book.

I don't go in for all the descriptions of beautiful writing and so on. In a similar way, I don't consciously regard cinematography in movies or TV programmes.

I say that because when I say I really enjoyed Mountains, it is at a real face value, WYSIWYG kind of level. But is wasn't a PATCH on Thousand Splendid Suns. I found myself wanting to stay up late for "just another page, just another chapter!!" And often, in the week I was reading it, would wake up in the morning IMMEDIATELY wondering if I had time for a bit more before work.

Reading Mountains certainly interrupted my knitting production!!!

Thank you, KH. Great books, the lot of them.

Either way, I shall always be on the lookout for the next KH novel.

[flutterbynight]

This is the first of Khaled Hosseini's books that I've read and so far (about 200 pages in) I've found it a really gripping read - I'm looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.

I like the variety of characters and am enjoying the meandering style of writing which dips in and out of their various tales, though on occasion it's taken me a moment to work out what year we're in and who we're reading about.

The strength of the bond between Abdullah and Pari is touching and this book has really tugged at my heart strings - as another person said, there is a lot of sadness within but I think the story is artfully crafted. In particular, I find the adult characters and their respective motivations intriguing and hope that more about them and their histories is revealed as the book progresses.

I'm not sure whether there will be any twists to come but there is something I spotted 50 pages or so ago which I almost missed - I won't say more as I don't want to give anything away if it turns out to be a surprise later on (more likely everyone else reading will have seen it straight off and I just took a bit longer!), but I quite like it when things aren't too heavily signposted but there for you to pick up on, so I liked this feature of Khaled Hosseini's writing.

Having seen that others have said they prefer his earlier titles, I'll be sure to add these to my list of books I want to read!

[QueenYnci]

Thank you so much for my copy of this book. This was a completely new author to me and I had no idea what to expect.

I found it an very easy book to get into and read it quite quickly. I did find the different narratives a little confusing at times and sometimes had to think how characters were connected but that didn't effect my overall enjoyment of the book. I've already ordered one of Khaled Hosseini's other books now and looking forward to reading it.

[RachelMumsnet]

STOP PRESS

Something has come up and we've now moved the bookclub discussion and webchat with Khaled to THURSDAY 5 JUNE between 9 and 10pm.

PLEASE DO JOIN US. Even if you haven't read And the Mountains Echoed (or finished it) feel free to join the discussion and ask Khaled questions about his other books. If you're unable to make that time, feel free to post a question for him in advance on this thread and we'll make sure it's passed on.

[yummum120]

Hello Khaled, I'm intrigued by the ending of the story. You showed such a good bond between The relationship of a brother and sister (Pari and Abdullah) at the beginning of the story. Why didn't they reconnect so well at the end? This was disappointing for me as I felt there was more emphasis on a new relationship building with Pari (sister) and Pari (daughter) than brother and sister bond.

[Uzma01]

I've read Khaled's other two books, really enjoyed them. Have started this one - looking good so far.

My question is: how are your books taken by Afghans - do you get a lot of praise or criticism from your fellow countrymen/women?

[KhaledHosseini]

Thank you Tilly, I look forward to chatting with everyone on Thursday.

[Arti]

I found this book to be a very powerful read on many levels. The book is beautifully written, and helped me to reflect deeply on some of the core themes relaying to family relationships, identity and acceptance of where a person is at at a particular point in time. My mother died 4 months ago and these themes really struck a chord with me, especially the exploration of the relationships between Markos and his mother and Pari (junior) and her mother at the terminal stages of their illnesses. I work as a medical doctor and liked the descriptions of some of the medical aspects that were woven into the story, e.g descriptions of the hospital grand round and also of the various health challenges experienced by the characters.

My questions to the author are:

to what degree did you model the character of Markos on yourself with your own medical background as a doctor?

What is the most powerful thing you have learned about yourself as a result of writing this book?

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?


What was the most rewarding aspect of writing this book?

Thanks for writing such a great book and for being such an inspiration.
Arti

[PenelopeLane]

I loved this book - having loved the Thousand Splendid Suns and liking the Kite Runner I made sure I got a copy as soon as I saw it in the shop. I especially like that these books are about a part of the world I don't know much about, and have a way of really drawing me in.

Spoiler alert

I have a couple of questions about the book and a couple of general ones:

1. I especially liked the conclusion with Idris, and was wondering if this plot line (esp with Roshi) is intended to also be a wider comment about Westerners who can talk the talk but not walk the walk?
   

1. Was it hard to decide to give Abdullah Alzheimer? That was the part of the book that effected me the most I think.
   

1. What part of writing do you find the most challenging - writing, revising, editing?
   

Thanks, and I look forward to your next book

[fikel]

It was my least favourite, think his other 2 novels were much more sophisticated and stylish. It had too much content with too little depth. In parts felt hurried,too simplistic - almost as if he needed to get this character's chapter out the way as quickly as possible. Sorry but felt quite disappointed as really did rate his previous books.

[DuchessofMalfi]

Sadly I have to agree with you fikel. I'm just over a third of the way through The Kite Runner, and think it is far more enjoyable. I like the way that the story is slowly unfolding, little details here and there, no rush. And that horrifying attack on Hassan - read it yesterday (still feeling upset).

It's the jumping back and forth between stories in ATME that I felt didn't quite work - not enough detail for each person's story. In particular I thought Markos's story could expand out to an entire novel. An interesting man, with an intriguing back story. More please :)

[ladydepp]

I finished And the Mountains Echoed yesterday. I have not read A Thousand Splendid Suns but the Kite Runner is one of my favourite all time books. I found it very powerful emotionally but also a fascinating insight into a culture I am not at all familiar with.

And the Mountains Echoed was a great read, Mr. Hosseini is obviously a very accomplished storyteller and has an amazing ability to draw extremely sympathetic characters. My one issue with this book is that I felt that there were just TOO many people to care about, I wanted to learn more about some of them but I almost found it confusing how many different strands there were to follow. I think this confuses the story somewhat, although it was still a very enjoyable book.

My question(s) for the author are in relation to his own reading:

Were there any books that inspired you to become a writer? Which books, if any, have you read more than once? Do you have a favourite childhood book?

Many thanks!!

[Inlovewith2014]

Did you have much influence in the film? As it's one of the best book to film stories IV ever seen

[QueenYnci]

Looking forward to the webchat tonight, my review is further up the thread.

My question is:

I thought the ending with Abdullah's Alzheimers was very fitting for the tone of the book, did you have that planned from when you started writing the book?