The Bookseller of Kabul
by Åsne Seierstad, Ingrid Christopherson
The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad, Ingrid Christopherson holds a well received rating of 3.76 out of 5, based on 30.5K reader ratings. First published in 2002. The book spans 288 pages.
About The Bookseller of Kabul
In spring 2002, following the fall of the Taliban, Åsne Seierstad spent four months living with a bookseller and his family in Kabul.For more than twenty years Sultan Khan defied the authorities—be they communist or Taliban—to supply books to the people of Kabul. He was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned by the communists, and watched illiterate Taliban soldiers burn piles of his books in the street. He even resorted to hiding most of his stock—almost ten thousand books—in attics all over Kabul.But while Khan is passionate in his love of books and his hatred of censorship, he also has strict views on family life and the role of women. As an outsider, Åsne Seierstad found herself in a unique position, able to move freely between the private, restricted sphere of the women—including Khan’s two wives—and the freer, more public lives of the men.It is an experience that Seierstad finds both fascinating and frustrating. As she steps back from the page and allows the Khans to speak for themselves, we learn of proposals and marriages, hope and fear, crime and punishment. The result is a genuinely gripping and moving portrait of a family, and a clear-eyed assessment of a country struggling to free itself from history.' to 'This mesmerizing portrait of a proud man who, through three decades and successive repressive regimes, heroically braved persecution to bring books to the people of Kabul has elicited extraordinary praise throughout the world and become a phenomenal international bestseller. The Bookseller of Kabul is startling in its intimacy and its details—a revelation of the plight of Afghan women and a window into the surprising realities of daily life in today’s Afghanistan.'
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Åsne Seierstad, Ingrid Christopherson |
| Published | 2002 |
| Pages | 288 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History, Travel |
| Average Rating | 3.76 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 30,531 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Bookseller of Kabul?
The Bookseller of Kabul is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Bookseller of Kabul worth reading?
Based on 30.5K reader ratings, The Bookseller of Kabul has an average score of 3.76 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Bookseller of Kabul?
The Bookseller of Kabul has 288 pages.
Who wrote The Bookseller of Kabul?
The Bookseller of Kabul was written by Åsne Seierstad, Ingrid Christopherson. It was first published in 2002.
What is the ISBN for The Bookseller of Kabul?
The ISBN-13 for The Bookseller of Kabul is 9780316159420.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
