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The Honey Thief (2013)

by Najaf Mazari(Favorite Author)

3.74 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0670026484 (ISBN13: 9780670026487)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Viking Adult

review 1: Some people are just natural storytellers, and this seems the case with Mazari. Essentially a collection of short stories (with some nonfiction essays and recipes) that explores the world of the Afghanistan Hazara people, told in such a manner that one might think Mazari is channeling his own family's experiences. I would not at all be surprised if portions of it are autobiographical. And almost ironically, I finished the book on the anniversary of an evil that came out of his country, which is good because it also helps counter the demonization of a people, a complex culture. These stories have a nice rhythm about them, though some are better than others (as in any collection). I loved the story of the attempts to capture a photograph of the elusive snow leopard, the rel... moreationship between grandfather and grandson, beekeeping, the power of the book, and forgiveness. One cannot be unmoved by the stories of persecution and mistreatment of these people by their own countrymen, of the horrors of almost never-ending war, cruelty and torture, religion used to abuse, hardy people doing what they have to in order to survive. But like people anywhere they also experience love, comradeship, brotherhood, pain, pride, and all the others things that make us all human. And Mazari does not sugarcoat the backwardness of his people either, their halting steps toward modernism. And there is pride and respect for culture. Will everyone love these stories? No. But I did.
review 2: These fictional tales are so powerful, I had a lump in my throat after every beautiful chapter of this book. The stories of the Hazara people are in many ways universal to all oppressed peoples. The spirit, endurance, and adaptability of the Hazara people inspires and makes these people half the planet away feel close to my heart. I can not imagine anyone being disappointed with this book. I will treasure it always. less

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