This Shall Be a House of Peace

Starred review from November 1, 2018
Describing Halton's first novel as a work of historical fiction about the origins of the Taliban does not quite cover its intense psychological and cultural exploration. By approaching the world-changing, religious-political entity from the angle of the individuals associated with its origins, Halton, formerly a Canadian military officer, radically challenges all preexisting assumptions. The experiences of the brothers Wasif and Amin, students of the laconic mullah who is the force behind the group, anchor the events of the story. As they go from being boys to men in a short span of time, the social and psychological layers of political conflicts are revealed. Halton's atmospheric descriptions bring to life the rugged terrain where these Pashtun men meet, talk, debate, and fight. The minimal presence of women serves as striking commentary on this divided world in a tale that is utterly nonjudgmental. Halton captures the zeal and righteousness at the root of all revolutions and gives readers a rare opportunity to gain insights that bridge cultural chasms, as he illuminates why faith and war are so intertwined for his protagonists. Halton's debut is a must-read for all who turn to books for an understanding of worlds other than their own.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)