i listened to this because a patron who chats about good books to read recommended this one highly to me. the last time she recommended a book, i wasn’t really crazy about it, so i’m not sure why i listened to her this time–maybe because i’d just finished listening to the kite runner and was interested in hearing more about that part of the world? anyway, this is basically the story of one family in afghanistan and their not particularly exceptional lives. i mean, their lives are very different from ours, but apparently not all that different from other afghans with similar financial situations. it was interesting to listen to (sometimes the differences between their attitudes and beliefs — especially about women and love–and our can be shocking and frustrating) but i wouldn’t say i looooved the book and i’m not sure i’ll be taking recommendations from that patron again.