Summary Of The Bookseller Of Kabul

In The Bookseller of Kabul, Asne Seierstad, the author, follows Sultan Khan’s family, writing about what they do in their daily lives. The head of the family is Sultan, a wealthy bookseller who provides for his whole family, not only his children and wives, but also his mother and siblings. Being the man who holds up the whole family, he is very controlling and always gets what he wants. His behavior towards his sons, wives, and other family members affects their lives. Sultan impacted his sons’ lives by controlling what they did. Sultan’s youngest son, Aimal, works twelve hours a day in a little candy store in a hotel, instead of going to school like he wants to. Sultan wanted him to gain experience in business and did not enroll him in

Sharifa is Sultan’s first wife. She was loved and respected until Sultan became unhappy and wanted a new, younger wife. By doing this, Sharifa lost her confidence in being a rich bookseller’s wife. The author says, “Although it is not unusual for a man to take a second wife, and sometimes even a third, it is nevertheless humiliating. The slighted wife will always be labeled inadequate. Anyway, that is how Sharifa felt, because Sultan so obviously preferred his younger wife.” (page 26). Sharifa was downgraded and replaced. Sultan also affected Sonya’s life by marrying her. Sonya, a sixteen-year-old, was Sultan’s first choice. When he proposed, she had no choice, and we can see how she didn’t want to marry him. The author states: “She was petrified, paralyzed by fear. She did not want the man but she knew she had to obey her parents.” (page 7). However, becoming Sultan’s wife increased her social class and she is living a good life in Sultan’s house. His youngest sister, Leila, took care of everything, cleaning and cooking; meanwhile, Sonya just sat at home and cared for Sultan and their daughter. The only aspirations Sonya has is to have children. Sultan threatened, either seriously or jokingly, that he would take a third wife if she does not have a son next. Sonya ended her childhood early because of her marriage, and therefore, has little interests or skills. Sultan’s second marriage impacted

Leila, his youngest sister, took the duty of cooking, cleaning, and getting the kids ready in the morning. She wasn’t respected or appreciated for her hard work. The family complained about everything: “Haven’t we got any milk? I told you to buy some! You parasite. Shut up, you old bag. This is not your home, it is my home” (page 167). Leila felt unwelcome in the family, along with Bulbula, Bibi Gul, and Yunus, because the house is really only for Sultan’s immediate family, his wives and children. However, it would be a scandal if the family would split. Leila was denied the ability to go to high school by Sultan and when she tried to become a teacher, it was unsuccessful too. She was stuck slaving away in Sultan’s house until she moved out and lived with Farid. Farid is Sultan’s younger brother who refused to work for Sultan and was rejected by him. His name is never mentioned, but the rest of the family loves him. As a result, Bibi Gul and the rest of her children visit Farid in secret. Another family member, Fazil, Sultan’s nephew, worked for Sultan in exchange for a home because his parents couldn’t afford him. He was happy in Sultan’s house, but one day Sultan exploded and kicked him out. Luckily, Fazil ended up in one of the best schools in Kabul and his future wasn’t over. Sultan’s treatment of his various family members determined what their futures were going to