And the Mountains Echoed

Content Warning: This guide references death by suicide. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. There is some debate about whether And The Mountains Echoed should be considered a novel or a collection of interconnected short stories. How would you characterize the book? Did you enjoy the narrative structure, or would you have preferred a more traditional model of storytelling?

2. Compare this book to other works by Khaled Hosseini, such as The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns. How does this book differ? What themes are consistent across all of Hosseini’s works?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Sibling relationships (such as the relationship between Abdullah and Pari, or Parwana and her sister Masooma) form an integral part of the book. Why do you think that sibling dynamics can be so complex and nuanced? If you have siblings, how would you characterize your relationship with them? Has that relationship evolved over time?

2. Why does Saboor make the decision to sell his young daughter to a childless couple? Do you think that parents sometimes err while making decisions that they believe to be in the best interest of their children?