Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland 0 comments

In King's follow-up to Lady Macbeth, Queen Margaret feeds the hungry and clothes the poor while war rages at home and abroad in 11th-century Scotland. Margaret transforms from devout exile into devout yet savvy queen when she marries King Malcolm Canmore, 18 years her senior and famous for killing Macbeth and his heir to the Scottish thrown. Newlywed Margaret first hears of Macbeth's unrepentant widow, Lady Gruadh, who has just sent her gifted granddaughter Eva to Malcolm's court to serve as bard, confidant, and spy. With Eva by her side, an emboldened Margaret embraces both Celtic and Latin religious traditions, aids the poor, frees prisoners, introduces the Scots to English manners, and helps negotiate peace. As she matures, Margaret's love for her husband and his people deepens and their relationship comes richly to life. Though clichés often plague the prose ("Tension and turbulence rode the air like dark clouds before a storm"), King's blend of historical figures and fictional characters turns a medieval icon into a believable mother, wife, and ruler. Quotes from original sources offer context and insight as to where the record ends and imagination begins.

Click this link to get more information about this novel Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland

The Kite Runner 0 comments

In the book, the protagonist, Amir, learns the importance of loyalty and trust. Growing up in antebellum Afghanistan, he lives with his father and their two Hazra servants. The younger of the two, Hassan, is Amir’s best friend throughout his childhood. One day, Hassan gets into a fight with a bellicose, rebellious boy who is twice his age. Amir secretly witnesses the ordeal and does not stand up for Hassan, who badly needs his assistance. As a result of his cowardice, Amir has to live with the remorse of letting Hassan down until he is granted an opportunity to, “be good again”(192). Many years later, while Afghanistan is immersed in constant fighting, Amir’s father’s old business partner, Rahim Khan, calls him back to Afghanistan to complete a very perilous task. On the phone, Rahim Khan explains to Amir that he is very sick and requires his presence immediately. In Afghanistan, Rahim Khan sends Amir to rescue Hassan’s only son from the clutches of a rampant talib. This journey proves to be perilous for both Amir and Sohrab, Hassan’s son, and Amir’s mental toughness proves to be essential to his cause.

The Kite Runneris very interesting because Amir does not represent the typical hero. Instinctively, he is not brave, courageous, strong-willed, or a domineering. Amir’s unsatisfactory characteristics are outweighed by his ability to learn from his past experiences. His willingness to recount his previous wrongdoings gives him the motivation to pursue and uphold the safety of Sohrab. The Kite Runneris an inspiring novel because it forces the reality of living in war torn Afghanistan upon the reader, who, before reading the novel, may not be able to empathize with many, if any, of the characters in the book.

The Kite Runneris an excellent book for any reader who wishes to broaden their understanding of their life’s purpose. This novel will show its readers how they may interpret the meaning of the world around them by utilizing the perspectives of others. Anyone who enjoys reading adventurous, suspenseful, and fulfilling books will be satisfied after reading The Kite Runner.

BUY The Kite Runner