99 Nights in Logar
99 Nights in Logar by Jamil Jan Kochai, published by Penguin Random House LLC in 2019, is a literary work that delves into the complexities of family life and cultural heritage. This edition spans 279 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows twelve-year-old Marwand as he navigates his return to Afghanistan, where he grapples with his identity and the stories that shape his understanding of home.
Readers will find a vivid exploration of Marwand’s quest to reconnect with his family’s roots, highlighted by his tumultuous relationship with Budabash, a dog that embodies both fear and affection. The story unfolds as Marwand embarks on an adventure to retrieve the escaped dog, blending humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age tale that reflects the power of storytelling. Through this journey, Kochai captures the essence of a boy’s teenage years against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan, creating a narrative that resonates with themes of belonging and the oral traditions that inform his heritage.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Funny, razor-sharp, and full of juicy tales that feel urgent and illicit . . . the author has created a singular, resonant voice, an American teenager raised by Old World Afghan storytellers.” –New York Times Book Review
“More than well crafted; it’s phenomenal. . . . Kochai’s book has a big heart.” —The Guardian
A dog on the loose. A boy yearning to connect to his family’s roots. A country in the midst of great change. And a vibrant exploration of the power of stories–the ones we tell each other and the ones we find ourselves in.
Twelve-year-old Marwand’s memories from his previous visit to Afghanistan six years ago center on his contentious relationship with Budabash, the terrifying but beloved dog who guards his extended family’s compound in the rural village of Logar. But eager for an ally in this place that is meant to be “home,” Marwand misreads his reunion with the dog and approaches Budabash the way he would any pet on his American suburban block–and the results are disastrous: Marwand loses a finger, and Budabash escapes into the night.
Marwand is not chastened and doubles down on his desire to fit in here. He must get the dog back, and the resulting search is a gripping and vivid adventure story, a lyrical, funny, and surprisingly tender coming-of-age journey across contemporary Afghanistan that blends the bravado and vulnerability of a boy’s teenage years with an homage to familial oral tradition and calls to mind One Thousand and One Nights yet speaks with a voice all its own.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “99 Nights in Logar” about?
Who is the author of “99 Nights in Logar”?
When was “99 Nights in Logar” published?
What is the ISBN for “99 Nights in Logar”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
