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Book Summary via bookbrowse.com: In Afghanistan, just after the fall of the Taliban, a bookseller named Sultan Khan allowed a western journalist to move into his home and experience firsthand his family’s life in the newly liberated capital city of Kabul.

From that act of openness emerges this remarkable book, already an international bestseller–the most intimate look yet at ordinary life for those who have weathered Afghanistan’s extraordinary upheavals. One husband, two wives, five children, and many other relatives sharing four small rooms opened up their lives, unforgettably.

First is Sultan himself, a man whose love of books has exposed him to great risks over his thirty years in the trade. He has seen his volumes censored, ripped apart, even burned in the street by the Communists and the Taliban. Each time he rebuilt his business, hiding the most controversial texts, surviving prison, traveling treacherous back roads to Pakistan to order much-needed schoolbooks. He takes joy in selling books of history, science, art, religion, and poetry, and defends his business against competitors and theft with a primal ferocity.

But Sultan is also a committed Muslim with strict views on filial respect and the role of women. We meet his wife, Sharifa, when she learns that Sultan is taking a new bride, as his status in the community dictates. Despite custom, it is agonizing for the mother of Sultan’s children to see her place usurped. We follow their teenage son, Mansur, as he embarks on his first religious pilgrimage, which embodies all the excitement of youth’s first rebellion. And we see Sultan’s younger sisters, as one coquettishly prepares for her wedding while another seeks a job to escape her family’s tight grip.

Stepping back from the page, award-winning journalist Åsne Seierstad allows the Khans to speak for themselves about their joys, sorrows, rivalries, loves, dreams, and temptations. Through this close-knit household, we gain an intimate view-as few outsiders have seen it-of life in an Islamic country just beginning to find its way between the forces of modernity and tradition.

“It’s a book that says the same thing almost all the other books in the world say, ” continued the old man.  “it describes people’s inability to choose their own destinies.  And it ends up saying that everyone believes the wold’s greatest lie.”

“What’s the world’s greatest lie?” the boy asked, completely surprised.

“It’s this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate.  That’s the world’s greatest lie.”

Do you ever feel that particular books come to you, though unexpected, with brilliant timing? My mom gave me this book 5 years ago.  I had read the first chapter, probably 6 times, before this last attempt.  This time- this time I was hooked.  I am the first one finished, this NEVER happens!  During moments of the book I felt it became a bit more spiritual than I’m comfortable with and the language is definitely not captivating.  Still, it really resonated with me.  I believe in fate and I believe in destiny.  I suppose, until now, I never thought about the difference.

In my own personal life, I realize that unless I am ever to reach my own destiny, fate is not enough.

It all comes down to decisions.  Decide to acknowledge. Decide to accept.  Decide to chance.

I’ve seen the pyramids.  And let me tell you, they’re definitely worth it all.

Happy reading,

Jillian

Not too long, The Alchemist is a perfect summer read. It is inspiring and uplifting, loaded full of things to discuss and apply to our daily lives. It is a life-changing book! Start reading!

7 out of 10. What do you think? I give the movie a 6. Having read the book, which is WAY better, there were many disappointing casting choices including a blonde playing Marlena (who’s a brunette in the book, which is mention many times throughout the book!). Uncle Al is not included in the movie and the relationship between Marlena and Jacob was a little downplayed in my opinion. I wasn’t convinced there was more than lust/passion there… I also wanted to see more aerial views that, to me, would of elevated the circus’s majestic quality.

Up sides to the movie are the costumes. I want ALL of Marlena’s outfits. Although blonde, Reese Witherspoon did an amazing job as Marlena. I usually see a repeating character from her in most of the movies she’s in, but in Water for Elephants, she played someone else, which was refreshing. The animal/human relationship was also well scripted and developed. Rosie! What a beautiful creature! Augusts paranoid schizophrenia was also well played. I got a good sense of both sides to him. The ending black and white films clips of Jacob and Marlena living their “happily-ever-after” was also a great touch!

Thanks for reading and watching!

Everyone has almost finished the book!  Once we’re all done, we’re heading to the theater!  Yahoo!

Man Man

Bombadil

Here are some photos to trigger your visual imaginations as  you read (some photos are from the movie set and some are original photos from actual circus’s around the time period of the book)…