Everybody loves this book, and I agree that it is fairly well written, provides a fascinating insight into history of Afghanistan, and it is great to see Fremont and Bernal Heights featured in new Oprah’s Club lit, etc. etc.
However. Perhaps because I have been tainted by the extremely brave heroes of children’s literature (hello, Harry Potter!) — I never really got over my semi-disgust for the protagonist of this book. Early in the book, he stands by and watches something really bad happen to his best friend out of a combination of fear and misplaced elitism.
Now, this is probably realistic and everything, and I am not claiming to be braver than the narrator. But at the same time, it is morally reprehensible. And I personally had a hard time getting over this and mustering up any sympathy for him for the rest of the book. Is that unfair?
