The warlords took part in atrocities during the civil war in Afghanistan. They looted, they raped, they killed. They have become incredibly empowered and entrenched. They live in mansions, they have jobs in the government, and they're incredibly powerful. In Kabul, people don't want to speak about it too publicly, because these people are essentially like Tony Soprano.

The short of it is, as an aspiring writer, there is nothing as damaging to your credibility as saying that you don't like to read.

It was you Nabi. It was always you. Didn't you know?

In Kabul, hot running water had been like fathers, a rare commodity.

Probably the single most commen response I get from my readesr, be it through e-mails or letters, is that they did not know much, or at times, they're quite frank, they didn't care much about Afghanistan. But they pay attention more after reading these novels, and at times it has triggered this humaitarian spirt: some have donated money or at time times, people have joined humatiarian organizations that work in Afghanistan.

Those who saw Kite Runner loved the film, for the most part, people seemed to really like the film.

cruelty and benevolence are but shades of the same colour.