TLDR/OPinion: 6/10
Hosseini's harrowing microcosmic tale of ​the wider degeneration of his native country, Afghanistan, tells the story of its oppression and corruption at the hands of other nations and terrorists groups from the unique perspective of 2 children. The book travels through history and across countries, a tale of betrayal, heartbreak, inequality and redemption.
Book Reviews and Analysis
Camilo josé Cela
1916-2002
Serving an eclectic and versatile career, Cela became known as one of Spain's greatest novelist's.
About the author:
his works:
1. Sansón García: Fotógrafo ambulante (Samson García: Travelling photographer)
A short story partly reproduced from his 1944 collection: 'El gallego y su cuadrilla'
Analysis:
Classic tale of fatherhood disapproval and bull-headedness. A Casual alcoholic with the air of a bachelor but the zeal for life of a child. Really rather eccentric and far-fetched. A storyteller, he gives a 'friend' a romanticised/elegiaic/aggrandising profile of different women's capacity to induce love.
ABSURDITY:
Many components of the plot seem nonsensical and hyperbolic perhaps an indication of his tendency for storyteller's licence; from his eye being gouged out as a result over a feud to the motive for the feud in the first place; whether to guillotine the heads of cats in a debate of their nationality and who has the right to chop off their heads. Even the nationality bashing shifts the tale into farcicality regardless of the absurd outcome.
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Biological/Innate differentiation
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Gender Inequality
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Mythical/Historical Inaccuracy
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Hypocrisy
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The Incomplete Man
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The Unknown Cause
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Mythbusting
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Contemporary Dynamics
Themes:
He has a flippancy with domestic violence from the stance of a man being abused by a women perhaps as this wasn't deemed by men worthy of equating to genuine aggression or violence, merely attributed to hormones or whimsy. Interestingly taken less seriously when from an impassioned woman (reduced to emotional rather than aggressive despite the damage she caused. Also correlation drawn between the episodes (during which everyone shies away from and ostracises her momentarily) and her menstrual cycle 'about once a month'. Draws in the social stigma of such infradian rhythms and the offhand nature with which they deal with her monthly status as a violent social pariah. Her violent tendencies being looked upon fondly and his loving description of her attractiveness when frenzied and fraught is absurd.
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Through his tale he also describes his idea of beauty and supposedly its capability to supersede negative qualities - sees women as a pretty face with neutral personality neither with redeeming nor detrimental characteristics. Somehow manages to make his narration of stories about his conquests and array of lovers about him - with the consistent interjection of 'un servitidor' meaning yours truly. Very flamboyant, self-serving manner of speech.