Hard by a Great Forest

Hard by a Great Forest is a novel by Khaled Hosseini that follows Saba, who returns to Tbilisi, Georgia, after twenty years to find her father missing. She follows a trail of clues to uncover secrets buried in the great forests of Georgia, and discovers that all roads lead back to the past and the sacrifices made to rescue one another.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A spellbinding achievement


The Financial Times has hailed 'Hard by a Great Forest' as a remarkable literary achievement, describing it as a 'poignant and often painfully comic' novel. The Observer has praised it as a 'hugely impressive' work, noting that it offers a glimpse into the lives of a family torn apart by war and exile. Khalid Hosseini, one of the most celebrated authors of our time, has praised the book as 'hugely impressive,' stating that it is a 'novels like this might help light the way.'


Set in the vibrant city of Tbilisi, Georgia, the novel is filled with memories that haunt Saba like landmines. The dearly departed voices of his family and friends, whom he silenced long ago, have returned without his permission. In this desperate situation, Saba finds himself without even a toothbrush.


The trail of clues leads Saba back to Tbilisi, Georgia, where it has been two decades since his father, Irakli, fled his war-torn homeland with his two young sons, now grown men. Two decades since he last saw their mother, who stayed behind to protect them from the dangers of war.


Finally, Tbilisi has lured Irakli home, but when his phone calls stop, a mystery begins to unfold. Saba sets out on a winding pursuit through the magic and mystery of returning to a lost homeland, determined to unravel the secrets that have been buried deep within the great forests of Georgia.


As he delves deeper into the past, Saba discovers that all roads lead back to the family he has lost and the sacrifices they have made to keep each other alive. He learns about the sacrifices his father made to escape the war, the struggles his mother endured to raise her children alone, and the pain of separation that has haunted them for decades.


Through his journey, Saba comes to understand the true meaning of home, memory, and sacrifice. He realizes that the past cannot be erased, but it can be honored and remembered. He also learns that the power of love and family can overcome even the most profound wounds of the past.


In the end, Saba is able to put the past to rest and find closure. He returns to Tbilisi with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the people and places that have shaped his life. Hard by a Great Forest is a rare, searching tale of home, memory, and sacrifice that will leave readers deeply moved and inspired.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526659828