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Erdağ M. Göknar
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Earth and Ashes Paperback – January 1, 2003

by Atiq Rahimi (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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Earth and Ashes is a story of such spareness and power it leaves the reader reeling. Set during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan, it is a fable about war, family, home and tradition. An old man and his grandson sit in a deserted landscape of dusty roads and looming mountains. What are they waiting for? As we watch them we learn their story...Rahimi has managed to condense centuries of Afghan history into his short tale of three very different generations. At the same time, he has created a story that is universal in its power.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    96 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Random House
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.08 x 0.2 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0099442124
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0099442127
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House (January 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0099442124
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099442127
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.87 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 0.2 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Erdağ M. Göknar

    Erdağ M. Göknar

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    Erdağ Göknar is Associate Professor of Turkish and Middle East Studies at Duke University and an award-winning translator. His translation of Orhan Pamuk's historical novel MY NAME IS RED won the International Dublin Literary Award (2003), marking Pamuk's emergence as an author of world literature and contributing to his selection as Nobel laureate (2006). The best selling novel was reissued in 2010 as part of the Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics series. Göknar is also the translator of A.H. Tanpınar's iconic novel of Istanbul, A MIND AT PEACE, and Atiq Rahimi's anti-war novella set in Afghanistan, EARTH AND ASHES. His critical literary study, ORHAN PAMUK, SECULARISM, AND BLASPHEMY: THE POLITICS OF THE TURKISH NOVEL (Routledge 2013), argues that the productive tension between Turkish Islam and state secularism give Pamuk's work currency as world literature. Göknar's poetry collection, NOMADOLOGIES (Turtle Point 2017), engages themes of Turkish-American diaspora.

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  2. Atiq.a Rahimi

    Atiq.a Rahimi

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
46 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stephen Balbach
5.0 out of 5 stars Earth and Ashes
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2009
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For the fans of McCarthy's  The Road , this is the book they should be reading and which should have won the accolades. It's gritty, real and important - and no baby eating Zombies! Written in the Persian language variant of Afghanistan known as Darsi in 2000 (pre-911), it was translated into English in 2002. It's a simple short novella about a tragic event, the kind that happens every day in Afghanistan. Through the eyes of an old man and his young grandson we experience the trauma of war and the angst of modernity pulling the past into the present. The ancient code of honor which holds society together is falling apart and what is left to replace it is deaf to us, an unknown. Although written before 9-11 about the Soviet invasion, it could just as easily be about present day events. Because it is written by a native Afghani in the native language, his sympathy for his culture, the small details and mannerisms, are all enlightening and curious. Afghanistan is such a mystery, a land of contradictions, this short novella goes a long way in revealing some deeper truths.
2 people found this helpful
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Nettie Sonn
4.0 out of 5 stars WOW
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2015
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WOW. This book pulled me into another world. I felt like I was drowning in quicksand and had to "wake up" to the real world when I was done. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it just ended, you never find out what happens but the writing is AMAZING.
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dog mom
5.0 out of 5 stars a great book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
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Atiq Rahimi has written some great books, and this one is no exception. I felt satisfied as always and appreciated the journey he took me on, as always.
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Coleen Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was interesting
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2013
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It is mind provoking but a little disappointing at the end. Rahimi's books all are different and intriguing. I will read his other books.
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jack hart
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017
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Can't remember this book
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deedee
5.0 out of 5 stars Earth and Ashes was heavenly
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2010
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The book was beautifully covered and in perfect condition.
The story was mystical and unlike anything else I have read about Afghanistan.
One person found this helpful
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Discovery
2.0 out of 5 stars Don't Bother
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2012
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This short book was boring, plain and simple. I finished reading this book because I thought it had to get better, it didn't.
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GAB
5.0 out of 5 stars Earth and Ashes
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2010
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Have not had a chance to read the book yet..but it arrived in great condition and early!
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Rakib Farooq
1.0 out of 5 stars Mouse at the cost of horse.
Reviewed in India on April 5, 2021
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The media could not be loaded.
 It is hardly a 50 pages book with light weight paper. I was fooled to buy it for INR 1200. Amazon should review these kinds of sellers. This book is worth only 100-150 INR.
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uudraa
3.0 out of 5 stars Atmosphärisch dicht, aber etwas zu stereotyp
Reviewed in Germany on February 21, 2017
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Ich hatte mir das Buch gekauft, um auf unterhaltsame Weise einen etwas genaueren Einblick in die afghanische Kultur, das Verhalten der Menschen untereinander und ihre Motivationen dabei zu bekommen. In dieser Hinsicht war es eher ein Fehlkauf. Atiq Rahimi gelingt es, eine sehr nachvollziehbare Atmosphäre zu schaffen, aber durch die sehr einseitige Parteinahme (so wirkt es für mich als unwissenden Europäer) und etwas stereotype Hintergrundhandlung wird meines Erachtens viel Potential verschenkt.
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Sharil Dewa
5.0 out of 5 stars Grim story of Afghanistan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2013
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A novella written by Afghan author Atiq Rahimi, Earth and Ashes paints an accurate picture of Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion. Dust, tears, heartbreak -- Earth and Ashes focuses on a grandfather and his grandson, both of whom are visiting the grandfather's son (the grandson's dad) to inform him of horrific news that threatens to rip their family apart. A compelling read.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is an extraordinary short story or novella. It is the story of a grandfather and grandson travelling together to find their son/father respectively. It sounds like a simple story, but it is based during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan and blends great tragedy with honest thoughts and feelings of the characters whilst also making reference to the eleventh century, Persian, Book of Kings. It is absolutely transferrable to the present day and could easily be a story of a family in the very recent past!

This book was a recommendation for me based on other books I had read. It was a great recommendation and I will definitely read more from this author.
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Mrs. Catherine A. Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2016
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Simple, beautiful, powerful....lines like worms....sorrow turns to water, a sword or a bomb. A deaf child who thinks everyone's voices have been stolen..
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