The Blind Man's Garden

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this very fine book The Blind Man's Garden by Nadeem Aslam.  The story is set in Pakistan and Afghanistan shortly after the Americans invaded Afghanistan because of 9/11.  Jeo and Mikal travel to Afghanistan with the intention of helping civilians wounded in the war with the Americans.  However, things do not turn out as planned.  Mikal is captured by warlords and eventually sold to the Americans as a "terrorist".  The story follows his "adventures" as he returns to his village and sees again his love, Naheed.  Mikal's foster father Rohan had established a school in the village and that has been taken over by other parties.  Rohan is a proud man with great integrity who has to overcome some terrible difficulties.  This story is written by a Pakistani man now living in England.  He has written his story from the Pakistani perspective and this demonstrates the enormous gulf of understanding between "the West" and these Islamic countries.  How can this ever be reconciled?  This is a beautifully written story which is also suspenseful as the events are played out.  Highly recommended reading. 5/5