Betty27

I know what you mean, and can't really disagree, but what I don't like about Sultan is his arbirtrary and highhanded way of deciding what his family members are allowed to or must do, in many cases disregarding their wishes. Furthermore, in chapter 'The carpenter' he seems very tough and callous. Some might say he was justified, but considering the circumstances, I'm of the opinion that he was simply unkind and mean. Those who have read this far, will understand what I mean.

Yes, there may be plot holes, but just like you I didn't let that spoil it, but enjoyed the romance. In spite of not quite understanding it at first, I also enjoyed the time aspect of the film. Don't know why, maybe, for me there's something magical in it. Thinking about it afterwards and accepting that the whole concept of living in parallel time 'zones' is possible at all, I don't think it was that implausible or unlogical as some critics said. Through Kate and her letters, Alex was able to see into the future and then changed and influenced it by acting differently to how he did in Kate's time zone. That's why they finally managed to meet. People are going to think that I'm mad attempting to explain The Lakehouse's logic, but for me there is some logic in there. Hopefully this isn't going to start a long discussion, as this thread is actually about Persuasion. I agree. I think it's wonderful to see how they finally manage to be with the man they love and who makes them complete. And that is because their 'captain' understands them in a way no one before has and gives them just what they need. I'd love to find my own Captain Wentworth - or do I want my own Mr Darcy? Well, that's a new question for me to think about .

No need to apologise! Commenting on Ch 8 on the 3rd of the month was a bit early, so I thought I'd go back to an earlier chapter as I assume that I'm a bit ahead of most people as I actually started reading in January. Yes, it was Sharifa's daughter Shabnam. Not impressed by her either; even though she's only mentioned twice I can imagine what kind of person she is. I got the impression that she likes getting everybody's attention which she doubtlessly did when telling on the couple.

As you 'told' me on the dvd thread to post over here too, here I am! I had read the thread before and was quite excited when I found it. I would love to discuss the parallels between 'The Lakehouse', the film, and 'Persuasion', but unfortunately it's been a while since I read the book. From what I do remember, I certainly agree with your comments, but can't think of anything to add. I enjoyed the film much more than I had expected as I had read several bad reviews before. Didn't mind at all that it was pretty implausible, but found it hard to follow the time aspect of the story. What I liked about the film was that the reason for them not being together was time, a very abstract reason, rather than some annoying misunderstandings, unsaid things, or prejudices. Somehow there was more hope in that. And their waiting was as beautiful as Kate (Sandra B.) described it when telling Alex (Keanu) about Persuasion. Even though I don't remember the details of Persuasion, I do agree with you in that I like Anne Elliot as the heroine. I think she's my favourite Jane Austen heroine (read all apart from Mansfield Park) because I can identify with her the best. I like all of them, but don't always understand them.

And me! It makes me really angry actually. But I think you can guess that by now. A slightly different point, when I read the chapter 'Suicide and Song' I was very saddened by the hopelessness in those poems. When I think of love poems which are about not being able to be with the one you love, they are typically characterised by the hope to be reunited at some point in the future, if only in death. What I found interesting as well, was how openly against their husband the women in the poems are. I realise that they weren't intended for publication, but I would have thought that most women would be scared to say or sing the poems at all, in case someone would hear and tell their husband. A lot of the poems mentioned in the book were not just about their longing for the lover, but also their hatred for the husband.

Thanks for your welcome, too, Pilgrim. Odd, true and I probably wouldn't have such strong principles, but somehow admirable. I'd say it was mainly the fear of god.

At the moment I'm using a council tax bill! Very strange, but it happened to be the best thing around when I started reading my current book. I also have a nice blue one with pretty embroidery, this one was given to me by a friend when she came back from her holiday in Turkey. Another I have (wondering where right now ) is a metal petal. Only just learned in this thread what it's called even though I have one myself! Mine is in the shape of the letter B, my initial. My sister gave it to to me, and I really like the look of it, but it slightly damages the page sometimes. Most of the time I use a postcard though and not even a themed one, but I like that idea, Ronny!

This thread is bit old, so you might have decided whether or not to read it at all by now, hoopeybird, but as I've read the book and seen the film, I thought I'd add my thoughts. I remember enjoying the book, in spite of some parts and aspects that I didn't like. On the whole worthwile reading though. It's years ago since I read it, so I can't make any detailed comments I'm afraid. I remember talking to a lot of people that read and liked it at the time, so I think you should definitely have a go at it and not be put off by the film. About a year later I watched the film and even though it wasn't bad, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the book. Partly because of the much changed ending but also because didn't sympathise with the characters as much as in the book. Maybe it was because even though they are good actors there is something about both Pen Cruz and Nicolas Cage that I don't like. I loved the beautiful scenery though.

Thanks a lot for your welcome, Kell! I know exactly what you mean, I pity them and consider their way of life 'wrong' and miserable. Whenever I read a book like this or when something has happened and the topic of women in Islam is being discussed in the news again, I would like to hear what the 'normal' Muslim women themselves think about it.

I very much agree with you. Some children don't even realise that it is wrong to say something disrespectful to an adult or some with authority. I think some don't even know what respect is. Even though I agree with what Sultan says in your quote, I do not agree with his form of authority and rules. There is disrespect in his family too, the lack of respect of women's real needs and wishes.

Hi, this is my first ever post here as I joined just two weeks ago so I could vote for and join the 'The Bookseller of Kabul' Reading Circle. So firstly a very friendly Hello and thank you! So far I've read until around p.100 and just like you I have been very shocked by the life of the different women in this and other families. I say was shocked, but of course not surprised by the way women are treated and regarded, as one hears a lot about that nowadays. What I found most interesting and truly shocking is how most women don't even seem to consider themselves treated badly. They seem to think themselves less worthy than men and just accept it. Difficult to understand for a young European woman like me at first. Thinking about the culture and knowing that for most of them this is the only way of life and treatment they've ever experienced made me understand the women a little better. And of course it is not easy to rebell against your own family and religion. Regarding the real book sellers complaints, I think that mainly he feels his pride hurt by the criticism and fears for his repudation which is at stake, especially as he considers himself progressive and modern (I got that from one of your links, thank you Pilgrim!). Asne Seierstad may have not made it absolutely clear what she was planning to write about and in spite of her using different names, the bookseller and his family are easily identifiable, I assume. He accuses her of telling lies, but I cannot believe that she really did that, even though I admit that she wrote what she saw and in my opinion no observation is truly objective. I remember being surprised that the real bookseller let Asne Seierstad write this book; that was before I read your comments and links. Then my first thought was still 'What did he expect?' especially as the real bookseller Shah Mohammad Rais was a business man and must have read so many books in his life and should therefore know how different observations and views can lead to very different stories. I don't imagine him to be naive. He knew that she was writing about them what did she expect her to write. Probably he just didn't expect that a woman would dare write about a man and his family in a way that pictures the male members of the family in such a negative light. After all none of the women would have dared say to him some of the things they said to Asne Seierstad. I have more to say but will stop this first post now as it is getting a bit long. Also just discovered your last posts and would like to reply to those too.