Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner

[Kell]

The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
ISBN # 1594480001
Publisher: Riverhead Books
First Published: 2003
371 pages
Rating: 9/10
(Olympic Challenge – Afghanistan)

The Blurb:
Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting toumament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him? for he always helps Amir? but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

The Review:
It’s rare to come across such a captivating book by pure chance, but that’s exactly what happened to me: I was approached by a woman at work whom I’d never previously set eyes upon – she had seen me constantly reading and wanted to lend me a book she thought I might enjoy.

She couldn’t have been more right!

I had heard of The Kite Runner before, but for some reason it had never appealed to me enough to actually pick up a copy for myself, however, when someone is kind enough to lend me a book, I feel obliged to at least give it a try, and this was no exception. Within a few pages, I found myself completely engrossed in a world totally alien to my own. Growing up in Afghanistan in the 70s (and even nowadays) is so unlike my own experiences of youth that I was fascinated. What unfolded was an epic story, a coming-of-age, and a quest for redemption that was completely unexpected.

The writing was sublime and I found myself transported directly into the heart of Kabul, identifying and sympathising with the people and transfixed by this heartrending story whish is, in parts, deeply disturbing and utterly real. I was moved to tears on several occasions.

It’s peppered with Afghan words, which helps draw the reader into the story, and on a personal note, I was struck by the similarities in language to Turkish (I spent a fair bit of time in Turkey a few years back and loved the people, the culture and the language), which again acted as a draw to me on another level.

If you haven’t yet read this book, please do. And if you’ve never tried a foreign author, Hosseini is a wonderful example of the abundant wealth of writers from different countries and will surely make the prospect of adventuring further with others an enticing and exciting one!

[Janet]

I loved this book. It's my favourite read so far this year. We discussed it in my real-life bookworms group last month, and it sparked the most discussion so far.

I'd also urge anyone to pick it up. I was a bit worried about the Afgan setting, but I needn't have worried at all - it's very clear.

I think I gave it 9½ out of 10, but on balance, I think it's definitely a 10 for me!

[Marilou]

The Kite Runner was such a touching book. I cried on several occasions. I couldn't believe the degree of humn hatred and destruction glorified by religious beliefs and of course, power. A sad but powerful book which will change many readers mind on Afghans and their struggle to revive their land as independant and humane.

[happyanddandy]

I had this on mount TBR - then OH was looking for something to read so I gave him this - he has been completely engrossed ever since - he was up very late last night reading!! :smile2:

[SteffieB]

I wasn't in a hurry to read this either, until the BF read it at all hours, often in tears. Then I had to! Powerful is definitely the right descriptive word. Gripping. Satisfying. Really very good.

[madcow]

Sounds like another one for mount TBR!

[JudyB]

And then from there go on to his second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns - easily as good as The Kite Runner.

[sib]

And then from there go on to his second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns - easily as good as The Kite Runner.

What´s A Thousand Splendid Suns about?

[JudyB]

This time his two main characters are women - theirs is a moving, emotional often sad story and highlights the severity of the system in terms of those women's rights.

[Child.of.God.1989]

I perked up at this review since I just read an approving/moderate review of the new movie. This was very well-written! Thank you for the recommendation, Kell. My reading scope is so small, and only within contemporary and classic American, and classic British literature. I was thinking my first foreign book would be Don Quixote, but this one sounds very sweeping, emotionally speaking!

[lovesreading06]

I think i be added these two to my TBR list there shounds good. Thanks Kell for the review

[kateleopald]

definitely go with the kite runner. don quixote is a classic but it takes a real labour of love to read! (i had it on my bedside table for over a year and fou the first half very heavy going!!)

[Inver]

The Kite Runner was such a touching book. I cried on several occasions. I couldn't believe the degree of humn hatred and destruction glorified by religious beliefs and of course, power. A sad but powerful book which will change many readers mind on Afghans and their struggle to revive their land as independant and humane.
Couldn't agree more...I cried too. Hope they don't spoil it with the movie version.

[writeoff]

This has to be one of my favourite books ever. When I read his favourite books it wasn't a great surprise to see Steinbeck and Shelley amongst them.
I must be the only person in the world not to agree that his follow up is better. It's a great story but I cared more about Hassan and Amir in The Kite Runner At times I felt it was almost as if I was being told what to think rather than persuaded. I probably haven't explained that very well but maybe someone else could.

[Esiotrot]

The Kite Runner was such a touching book. I cried on several occasions. I couldn't believe the degree of humn hatred and destruction glorified by religious beliefs and of course, power. A sad but powerful book which will change many readers mind on Afghans and their struggle to revive their land as independant and humane.

Well said! :friends0:
I absolutely loved this book, after feeling like I had lost my reading mojo this has given it a new lease of life!
I keep thinking about the characters and I am sure I will for a long time to come.
If its in your Mount TBR ~ lift it to the top :readingtwo:

[Purple Princess]

I am about half way through The Kite Runner and have to say I am really enjoying it. It is not the type of book I would usually choose for myself but my sister gave me her copy and I am very pleased she did.

I find myself thinking about Amir and Hassan at random points during the day - I think that is the effect a really good book has on me, that I just can't stop thinking about it :blush:

[JudyB]

but I cared more about Hassan and Amir in The Kite Runner At times I felt it was almost as if I was being told what to think


I think friendship is so precious and that comes across in the book and that's why the events that follow are so shocking and upsetting.

[Talisman]

I am reading the Kite Runner at the moment, and it is by far the best book that I have read in ages - since I was a teenager in fact, and I am 43 this year!

It is one of those books that has so many layers - at times political, at times deeply touching, and also very much a tale about retribution and the law of cause and effect.

It has had me very close to tears also at several points - the rape scene, the stoning scene, when Baba dies and he realises that he has been lied to all his life. I also like the fact that there are no graphic sex scenes - what happens is not described in too much detail, so it becomes much more powerful and absorbing.

It is one of those books though that one can get so completely absorbed in that I forget to go back to work when I read it during my lunch break! It is almost as if reading it, I am not a bystander but actually there.

I can't wait to see the film!

[supergran71]

I saw the film yesterday and it is exactly as you have described the book. I was very moved and at times horrified. The child actors are superb and very natural. All the other actors, whom I presume from their names are either Afghans or Pakistani, played their parts very convincingly too. Nothing was overdone, mostly understated and some things left to your imagination, nothing graphic. I hope it receives loads of awards. I must read the book now

[Jazmine]

Though I definitely cried while watching the movie, it did not capture the emotions the way book did. And yes, those young boys played thier characters with such audacity.

Movie was spectacular, no doubt, but book was just something else.
:D

[JudyB]

I saw the film yesterday and it is exactly as you have described the book. I was very moved and at times horrified. The child actors are superb and very natural. All the other actors, whom I presume from their names are either Afghans or Pakistani, played their parts very convincingly too. Nothing was overdone, mostly understated and some things left to your imagination, nothing graphic. I hope it receives loads of awards. I must read the book now


I thought the film was good also and I enjoyed being able to see the kite flying.

[happyanddandy]

[quote=Talisman;126340]
It has had me very close to tears also at several points - the rape scene, the stoning scene, when Baba dies and he realises that he has been lied to all his life. I also like the fact that there are no graphic sex scenes - what happens is not described in too much detail, so it becomes much more powerful and absorbing.
[quote]


Ooh too much information for those of us with it on Mt TBR!!

[Kylie]

Ooh too much information for those of us with it on Mt TBR!!

Yes indeed! Please remember to use spoilers because not all of us have read it yet! (Maybe I don't need to now.)

[Purple Princess]

Have just finished The Kite Runner. I have to say that I throughly enjoyed it. It is not the type of book that I would ordinarily choose for myself, I only read it at my sister's insistence at how much I would enjoy it. She was right, I just couldn't put it down and have been reading it at every opportunity.

I would like to watch the film version now to see how it compares.

Does anybody know when it is due out on DVD?

[Janet]

There is no release date for the DVD as yet, I believe. If you are an Amazon user, they'll email you when the date is announced if you click on 'notify me...'. :)

[Jazmine]

Have just finished The Kite Runner. I have to say that I throughly enjoyed it. It is not the type of book that I would ordinarily choose for myself, I only read it at my sister's insistence at how much I would enjoy it. She was right, I just couldn't put it down and have been reading it at every opportunity.

I would like to watch the film version now to see how it compares.

Does anybody know when it is due out on DVD?

Will you give Thousand Splendid a shot too? I know many people who enjoyed it, perhaps more than the Kite Runner.

[Purple Princess]

Will you give Thousand Splendid a shot too? I know many people who enjoyed it, perhaps more than the Kite Runner.

Yes I am planning to read it at some point, I will probably wait until it comes out in standard paperback size then buy it.
I have heard alot of good things about his second book, it is definatley on my 'to be read in the future' list! :)