The story reminds me of Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, but a milder version. What captivated me
was how it was beautifully written, even though subject takes place in a war.
p68 prisoner's decapitated head paraded on the streets on a pike is similarised to kebab on a skewer (okay I admit this not beautiful but gory and unfortunately aptly compared)
p77 notion of death is like a wallpaper ~ present but rarely seen
It is about how the use-to-be affluent people under the Shah's ruling and the common ones survived ~ post Shah of Iran. It tells of how the relationship between master and servant, employer and employee, children between private and public schools and friendship ~
changed during pre and post war.
p103 In 1971, whilst placing 2 wreaths of flowers on the tomb of Cyrus, the Shah solemly recited 'Cyrus, rest in peace for we are well awake'. In the minute of silence that followed his speech, the desert wind blew stronger, swirling the yellow dust in the air etc. Question: Had Cyrus soul responded to the Shah? Spooky.
p227 Pain, he has come to realize is the domain of the elders. Their suffering always more noble and more justified than that of a boy like him, who is expected to find thrills in his new environment and to lock his short past in the cellar, only to retrieve it, years later like a bottle of wine and share it in brief sips with the dinner guests.
This is an engaging story from a debut attempt. I enjoyed it.
