The Kite Runner
2 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.com review: In his debut novel, Khaled Hosseini accomplishes what very few contemporary novelists are able to do. He manages to provide an educational and eye-opening account of a country's political turmoil--in this case, Afghanistan--while also developing characters whose heartbreaking struggles and emotional triumphs resonate with readers long after the last page has been turned over. And he does this on his first try.
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.")
Some of the plot's turns and twists may be somewhat implausible, but Hosseini has created characters that seem so real that one almost forgets that The Kite Runner is a novel and not a memoir. At a time when Afghanistan has been thrust into the forefront of America's collective consciousness ("people sipping lattes at Starbucks were talking about the battle for Kunduz"), Hosseini offers an honest, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always heartfelt view of a fascinating land. Perhaps the only true flaw in this extraordinary novel is that it ends all too soon. (--Gisele Toueg--)
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.")
Some of the plot's turns and twists may be somewhat implausible, but Hosseini has created characters that seem so real that one almost forgets that The Kite Runner is a novel and not a memoir. At a time when Afghanistan has been thrust into the forefront of America's collective consciousness ("people sipping lattes at Starbucks were talking about the battle for Kunduz"), Hosseini offers an honest, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always heartfelt view of a fascinating land. Perhaps the only true flaw in this extraordinary novel is that it ends all too soon. (--Gisele Toueg--)
I finally sat down with this book and was lucky enough to have a slow day at work so I was able to finish it more-or-less in a 24-hour period. I definitely agree that it is easy to forget that this is a novel as it reads so convincingly as a memoir. I found the book haunting and intriguing. It is interesting to me that the author managed to evoke sympathy in me towards the main character whom I spent so much of the book disliking. The book is heartbreaking as well for several reasons. The personal losses of each character, of course, but also the changes in Afghanistan. The contrast of pre- and post-Taliban is upsetting, though unsurprising. Yet how horrible for the people to think the Taliban were coming to save them, that they would mean an end to misery and suffering within the country. The book manages to show the best and worst sides of humanity, the loyal and the disloyal, the "good" and the "evil". Good prevails in the main story, of course, but knowing the Taliban is still there and that life in Afghanistan is still hard tempers the happy ending. Definitely an excellent read -- as good as I'd heard it was. I'm definitely looking forward to more from this author.
International BookringBooksandJava -- Florida, USA
vlm1960 -- Maryland, USA
bartonz -- Washington, USA
symphonicca -- Peru
Orlandoflores -- Peru
descalza05 -- California, USA
Buffheart -- Washington, USA ...arrived 10/5/07...
--back to me--
Book arrived safe and sound! I will start it as soon as I finish my current read for my book group.
Well, this is one of the few books I've read lately that I could have just kept reading and reading. I love being able to read a novel and find out a little about the culture and history of a place I will probably never travel to in my life (The Poisonwood Bible, for instance). I never knew that flying kites could be a competitive sport! I had a love/hate relationship with the main character, though Ithoughtbmany of his actions were unsurprising. However, I was cheering him on by the end.
I definitely will be looking for another book by Hosseini.
Thanks Firegirl for sharing!
I definitely will be looking for another book by Hosseini.
Thanks Firegirl for sharing!
Book was mailed this morning via media mail.
This book appears to have been lost in transit and the next in line cannot be reached. Tabby-cat-owner was kind enough to provide a replacement and it will be sent on to Bartonz. Thanks, T-C-O! The new book can be found here.
