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
Something to Answer For (1964)
Author
P.H. Newby
Score
3/10
Image by Omar Elsharawy
Something to Answer For (1964)
BLURB: Following the exploits and adventures of the lecherous and morally crooked protagonist, Townrow sets off from England to the middle east in an attempt to swindle an old widow of her fortune. Once there however he encounters political and personal problems with Egyptians, with tensions already high as Nasser seizes control and proprietorship of the canal, leading potentially to war with the British. Caught up in the middle of utter turmoil; the Egyptians believing him a spy, Mrs K believing her husband murdered, issues with his own identity and the alluring Levantine Jewish woman, with whom he becomes infatuated, Townrow seems to be stuttering through life as though suffering from hallucination level sun stroke. Summarily - Newby's ambiguous novel ultimately translates as somewhat of a didactic tale on notions of the truth, morality and accountability. A man trying to see the through the interminable fog of his life.
REVIEW: As the inaugural booker prize winner, I expected a novel slightly more prize-worthy and perhaps niche enough to grab enough attention to have been the first of its kind. With an almost concussed writing style it was a chore to read and with flaky characterisation at best it was a struggle to nail down the protagonists or even the plot itself. It could be said it is reminiscent of Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island with multiple layers of reality making the book extremely difficult to follow. I have never felt such a prevailing sense of skepticism whilst reading a book, questioning at every turn of the plot the plausibility of his account of the events. However, despite starting out anticipating a murder mystery and being was sorely disappointed i was intrigued to see where the tangent would take me.
THEMES:
Identity
Erratic Narration
Political Tensions
Death
War
Politics
Reality