The Jewel Carriers

By Charles Edward Varney

This is the first novel based upon a true story of a Mujahidin fighter, Mr. Abdullah Akbar. The Jewel Carriers brings to light the events and atrocities that took place during the Soviet occupation of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967674409
• ISBN13: 9780967674407
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Creative Ink
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Hemingway meets Schwarzenegger

Written in simplistic prose, similar to Ernest Hemingway, mixed with the action packed suspense of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, the Jewel Carriers provides the reader with the exuberant and perilous tale of Abdul Barkzi's quest for a satchel full of precious jewels. The Jewel Carriers depicts the vivid tale of three men and an American women embarking on a tumultuous journey across eight countries. Set in the backdrop of the Soviet intervention in December of 1979, the Jewel Carriers provide a closer look at the enchanting powers of war and the luring capabilities of greed. A more startling revelation surfaces when the reader realizes the fictional elements of the Jewel Carriers derives from the true life events which transpired in the life of Abdullah F. Akbar. Charles Edward Varney attempts to represent the various elements of Afghanistan life through his enjoyable and clever novel. His subtle interventions of Afghanistan appear through the dialogue between various characters in his novel providing an insurmountable array of information. For example, through the physical interactions between Yosif and Stella, the reader learns that, "Yosif turned a little red" because "he wasn't accustomed to open affection from women," after Stella gives him a kiss on the cheek (60). The love story between Yosif and Stella counteracts the marriage between Zabi and Miriam who often shielded herself in tradition attire worn by the submissive females in Afghanistan. Secondly, the Jewel Carriers clearly represent the close associations of the religious faith instilled among believers of the faith. Countless times Abdul Barkzi, through the italics used by the author to show his subconscious thought, praises Allah and in one instance exclaims, "Allah! Don't leave me like this. Let my people be victorious (38). The novel provides many available examples of rich historical information about Afghanistan by relating details of the British Anglo-Afghan War of 1839 and how Alexander the Great conquered Afghanistan, but failed to tame the country (28). Through the dialogue between significant characters in the Jewel carriers, the reader gathers a fundamental amount of knowledge associated with the female gender, the religious and the historical elements of Afghanistan. The author accomplishes an exceptional task of depicting the various elements of Afghanistan. Filled with love, tragedy, comedy and action amidst the setting of war, Abdul Barkzi suddenly comes into contact satchel of jewels desperately being chased after by Peshawar headhunters. Feeling betrayed by the amount of anguish he has experienced because of the war, Abdul still masterminds a complex plot to retrieve the jewels. Even with the amount of extreme danger, the horrific grip of the war justifies Abdul's actions when he claims, "We deserved it," and that he had "no regrets taking the jewels for [them] selves" (198). Later when one of his comrades brutally dies the repercussions of Abdul'

No time for sleep once you start reading this book!

My view of the other side of the world, and our own, changed forever after reading Mr. Akbar's book last year in less than 2 days. His tale is powerful and told with hurricane force. The story of wars within wars from a global to a personal level MUST be translated into film someday.Today, September 22, 2001, I am about to re-read The Jewel Carriers. I have not reread a book since my school days, when it was necessary. Mr. Akbar's book is now more relevant than ever, and its inspiration and underlying messages more crucial than ever. Besides the satisfaction of having been thoroughly entertained, what you will take from this book is a larger, more meaningful sense of Truth. Read this book and do everything else you can to teach yourself and others peace and tolerance in these trying times.

Must read!

As a child living in Afghanistan I lived through the Soviet invasion. Based on my experiences I can say that this book did a great job describing the historical events. In addition I found the story gripping and would highly recommend this book.

Fascinating

I was told about this book by a friend during a conversation about the Afghan mishaps over the years. Upon reading the book I became very interested in the true story and the characters in it. The thing that makes it very exciting is the suspense and danger the characters face through out the events. I feel this book was very well written & would make a superb motion picture.

An Outstanding Thriller!

I was reading Harry Potter when somebody put this book into my hands and I never went back to Harry until I finished The Jewel Carriers.This is a well written, true life story showing what it is like to be involved in a "Holy War", when the holiness has deteriorated into factionalism, selfishness, greed, and betrayal. Once you read this book, you will have a new attitude when you hear about "freedom fighters" anywhere in the world.This book will make a great movie someday.