The Kite Runner (Alex Awards (Awards))

by Khaled Hosseini | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 1573222453 Global Overview for this book
Registered by ID20080001 on 11/11/2004
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10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by ID20080001 on Thursday, November 11, 2004
The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.")


Journal Entry 2 by ID20080001 on Saturday, November 27, 2004
This is the participants so far: Subject to change
Grover3d-WV(requested 1st)

Rlylv2rd-MN
arugh48187-MN
Elizarose-WI-?
Bulan-Purnama-OR
Joanthro-CO
Kelwood-OH
Sweetpea-FL
Kiptrix-SC
Chambejd-MA
Judester-NY
Dospescados-NY
Spaceystacy-NJ(near the end)
Sundreamy2-NE
Rlylv2rd-MN




Journal Entry 3 by ID20080001 on Thursday, December 16, 2004
This was one of the best books of 2004 for me. I have been reading alot of crap this year and this was delightful. I want to thank one of my senior citizens for suggesting this for our book group.

It's now on it's way for a bookray.

Journal Entry 4 by grover3d on Wednesday, January 5, 2005
First, sorry for the delay in journaling. I LITERALLY got this out of the mailbox on the way to the airport, and I took it along with me - I had no computer access while I was away.

Second, thanks so much for putting me first! This is my book club's selection for January.

I read this book on my trip, and LOVED it. Hosseini is a very talented writer, and though some plot points were fairly predictable he still makes you love every word of the story and its vividly drawn, wonderful characters. Not since Owen Meany have I loved a character in the way that I do Hassan. I also feel a bit more informed about Afghanistan...like many Americans it REALLY only began to exist for me after September 11, 2001.

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful book.

Journal Entry 5 by ID20080001 on Monday, February 28, 2005
This book is lost. I am trying to find a replacement copy(cheap) to revive this ray. I wouldn't normally do it, but this was one of the best books I read last year.

Journal Entry 6 by ID20080001 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005
The book has been found. The USPS for some reason didn't like the address it was given and sent it back to Grover3d. It will get reshipped this week and on it's way.

Journal Entry 7 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Monday, March 21, 2005
YEAH! It arrived. Thank you so much for all your efforts on getting it here. I will read it next, and send it on it's merry way!

Journal Entry 8 by RlyLv2Rd from Viroqua, Wisconsin USA on Monday, March 28, 2005
Wow...What more can you say? I am not sure what I expected from this book, but it gave me all that and more.

It was surprising to note that the part in the story where Amir attends the soccer game and witnesses the brutality coincides with a story a family firned of ours related regarding his life in Afghanistan. He once explained that Americans have no understanding of the situation in Afghanistan. He was a native Afghani who had moved here in the past few years, and he described that exact torture and explained that the problem with our (American's) liberation plan is that we are liberating people who have been living in the dark ages. People who will return to the ways they know once the dust settles because it is all that they understand. He then went on to use that very tradition of stoning during the game to illustrate his point. Eerie. He said that once we leave, it will return to that way of life because people no longer have the ability to believe or know of any other way.

I wish I had written down some of the more profound thoughts because this book, and it's premise, really struck me with some very astute observations and quotes. It was a haunting tale which I hope many will read. It is heavy hearted, but important for people to realize that we all have thoughts and moments in our life where our decisions, good or bad, will shape our lives forever. We must learn that early on and chose accordingly.

Thank you pjmom8025 for giving me another all time favorite read. I stopped reading my other book to get this on it's way, and am so glad I did...It was worth it. This one should be shared! On that note, if it is o.k. can you add me again at the bottom of the list? My parent's would love to read this after it has journeyed where it was meant to go...






Journal Entry 9 by arugh48187 from Highland Park, Illinois USA on Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Popped in for a brief stay in Apple Valley. I have two bookrings in front of it, but I should get to it soon. You can track its progress via my bookshelf.

Journal Entry 10 by arugh48187 from Highland Park, Illinois USA on Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Woo Hoo! I am on a roll this month. I've read two books that I rated a ten already and it's not even half over yet.

What can I say? This book was fantastic. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. I loved the writing style. I even love the cover of the book. It is very hard to believe that this is a first novel, but it is well deserving of its bestseller status.

This is the second book this year that I have read that is based in Afghanistan. I cannot imagine living in such fear as the people of Afghanistan, where every minute of life is a gift. I cannot fathom the concept of ethnic cleansing and shooting people willy nilly just for the shape of their eyes or nose or hair color. I do not understand what it would be like to barely have a roof over my head and to wonder if and when the next meal was coming. I do not know what it would be like to watch family, friends, and neighbors die before my very eyes. I sit in my cocoon on my whopper sized ass in my ergonomic chair typing on my Hewlett Packard computer in my four bedroom/three bathroom house in white bread Apple Valley, Minnesota and wonder how can this situation exist. How can people let this exist? How can we pay taxes for some twenty thousand orange fabric gates in Central Park and not see that our money goes to see that every Afghani child has a pair of shoes and three meals a day? Why?

Books like this that open my eyes and rip away my American blinders is one of the reasons I love Bookcrossing so much. Change begins with awareness.

Sending off to the next reader soon. Thanks for sharing.

Released 18 yrs ago (4/18/2005 UTC) at Post Office at 153rd and Garrett in -- Mailed, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing off to elizarose who is next on the list. Happy reading!

Journal Entry 12 by elizarose from Rice Lake, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, June 23, 2005
Aaaagh! So sorry it took so long--I thought I had made an entry indicating that I got it--then I moved a few days later and it completely slipped my mind. I've got the book and I'm reading it like a crazy woman to get it done in a hurry. Forgive me!

Journal Entry 13 by Joanthro from Denver, Colorado USA on Sunday, July 3, 2005
This arrived in yesterday's mail - will read right away!

Journal Entry 14 by Joanthro from Denver, Colorado USA on Thursday, July 14, 2005
This was definately one of the best books I have read in a while - thanks so much pjmom8025 for making this book available! In addition to seconding the raves and comments that others before me have made, I will only add that the profound insights into human nature that Hosseini embedded throughout the book made this incredibly readable, despite the storyline which had my head reeling with each new plot twist and turn.

Kelwood and Sweetpea asked to be skipped, so I sent this off to Kiptrix earlier today.

Journal Entry 15 by kiptrix from Summerville, South Carolina USA on Monday, July 18, 2005
Received this book today, and am looking forward to reading it quickly and sending it on soon. Thanks, pjmom8025!

Journal Entry 16 by kiptrix from Summerville, South Carolina USA on Wednesday, August 3, 2005
First I had to finish my August book group book (The Time Traveler's Wife), then I read this one. Some good reading lately! The Kite Runner was wonderful, another amazing first novel. Hosseini really transports you to that world, and it breaks your heart.

I'll probably be buying another copy of this book eventually, because my book group voted it to be among the next six on our list.

Will be sending this off to Chambejd tomorrow.

Journal Entry 17 by chambejd from Millbury, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, August 9, 2005
I received this book in the mail today and am looking forward to starting it!

Journal Entry 18 by chambejd from Millbury, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, August 17, 2005
I really enjoyed this book. What a moving story! Thanks for sharing it with me.

8/31 I finally found a taker for the book so it was mailed today to Spaceystacey.

Journal Entry 19 by spaceystacey from Bridgeton, New Jersey USA on Saturday, September 3, 2005
Just received in the post today. Will get to before this date in October. I have about 12 bookrings before this one to get out into the ringworld. Thank you for sharing this book, I have been looking forward to reading it.

11/03/05 Have about 75 more pages to read and then off to Sundreamy2.

11/7/05 Have not heard from sundreamy2. Was instructed to post the book out to reader after her. Already pm'ed her for the address.



Amir, age 12, of privelege and Hassan, a servent's son of nearly the same age are childhood playmates but never in Amir's mind friends. In a divided country on the verge of war, these two could never be friends publically without glances.

Amir, always very jealous of his affluent father's caring ways towards Hassan plans an act that will banish the playmate and his servent father from the Kabul estate forever. The happiness and closeness to his father that he hopes for is not forthcoming.

The war finds Amir and his father fleeing to America, where after 20 years, he is requested by a mature, dying, family friend to go back to Taliban rules Afganistan to rescue of son of his playmate.

12/28/2007 posted back to pjmom8025



Journal Entry 20 by ID20080001 on Monday, January 7, 2008
This book made it back home. I will be sending it out for a swap.

Journal Entry 21 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Saturday, May 24, 2008
Have not yet read this book, just received it in the mail today. Although excited to get started.

CAUGHT IN SPENCERVILLE OHIO USA

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