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
Andorra
The Teacher of Cheops By Albert Salvadó
Score: 5/10
Image by Steven Roussel
FAVOURITE QUOTE: COMING SOON
REVIEW: Interestingly enough for this next addition to my Read the world Challenge this is yet another author not writing of his own country; the focal point for Salvadó's historical novel being Egypt rather than Andorra and gives an insight into the lethality behind the glamorously finessed facade of the Egyptians, as one instead founded on deceit and political machinations.
Spanning numerous legacies this historical fiction borders on being slightly textbookish. The perfunctory or delineating manner in which lineage, dynasties and even other details are described is reminiscent of a educational resource. Even sexual encounters were heady with anatomical accuracy rather than emotion.
BLURB: Filled with deviousness, secrets and machinations it describes the majesty of the Egyptians and perhaps the hidden cracks in their foundations. It follows the legacy of tutelage and how teachings are passed from one teacher to the next as generations evolve, with the pupil surpassing teacher. Foregrounding the rich heritage that is, knowledge. Also a predominant theme is religion and how its great power can be coerced and siphoned off to those that wield it as a weapon.
Following the stories of some of the greats of Egyptian history and how their teachers shaped them such as Sedum, Cheops, Queen Hetepheres and Pharoah Snefru. But also portrays the strict emphasis on customs, the rise and fall of power and the relationship of life with death and how the most dead in Egypt are the forgotten or in this case the 'erased' the ultimate punishment was to strip someone of their name and existence.
ANALYSIS: BEAUTY: Throughout the cultural emphasis on the value of beauty is distinctly revealed going so far as to be even monetarily quantifiable - you can trade in beautiful goods. Sedum's mother is worth less as a commodification due to her appearance also reflecting the mercantile nature of society. Such outright standards of beauty and having an actual numerical system of comparison transcending to modern relevance. Alternatively, where beauty provides you stance and prominence, unattractive people are alotted a life of invisibility.
For many - beauty is heralded above all other traits - above even healing, proficiency or intellect. For such attributes to be considered especially in women it needs to be in noticeable combination with attractiveness.
SEXUALITY
There is perhaps a flippancy or an offhandedness with sex. Even at the horrific implication of a possible rape of Sedum's mother or at least an unplanned pregnancy it is seen as a blessing for someone so ugly.
RELIGION:
Corruption appears rampant within the temples and priests of Egypt - focalising on vested interests. They are speaking as through from God - purposefully espousing possibly fatal prophecies and visions for personal gain as they are aware of how much of life is dictated by Gods and their will and manipulate this steadfast belief system
SERVITUDE:
Sedum even received Jian's punishments as he is seen as an attachment or an extension of his master - an expendable limb of his yet the master feels no accountability.
SUPERIOR INTELLECT:
Even in times of Ancient Egypt, the author implies a cognizance way beyond that of predecessors or even many successors of the Egyptian legacy; the symbiosis of the material universe and the universe of the air, the precipitation cycle, personal hygiene, molecular knowledge 'even stones move inside' - they are way ahead of their time with their revolutionary knowledge
In particular Sebekhotep is portrayed as an omniscient presence - understanding or interpreting the fluidity of gender and sexuality. Yet with all this supposed scientific knowledge their steadfast belief in the Gods is paradoxical and incongruous.
KNOWLEDGE AND HISTORY:
Throughout the theme of the legacy of knowledge is conveyed and how facts are passed down but can be warped by the subjectivity of history and the way it is written and told.
GENDER DYNAMIC
There is a divisive juxtaposition between the esteem with which women are held in the eyes of men and their reverence or irreverence of women and their wiles and cunning
DUPLICITY:
Everything is a labyrinthine interlacing of lies and duplicity - rehearsed behaviours - double entendres - unspoken secrets and subtleties. The power dynamic if constantly shifting depending upon intricacies and plotting.
LETHALITY:
Gruesome brutality and torture - punishments are severe and deliberately and painstakingly selective. Brutal balance is upheld due to a belief in the equilibrium of life and death - an eye for an eye.
MYTHOLOGY:
There is an assimilated blend of Greek and Egyptian mythology. Shock ending of the synonymous identites of Hermes and Sedum - all slots into place with Sedum's mother copulating with a nameless faceless man - perhaps a god which shows a cohesive intricate plot
THEMES:
Aestheticism/Appearance
Duplicity
Lethality
Plotting/Scheming
History
Mythology
Religion vs. Dynasty