Author: Khaled Hosseini
Pages: 343
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: Paperback
The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father's servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons-their love, their sacrifices, their lies.
My Review
Ok, here we go again. Another book that has received so many 5 star reviews, and after reading it I am not exactly sure why. It takes a lot for me to give a book 5 stars. And to each their own. Let me talk just a little about this one.
I want to first say that the author is a fabulous writer. Some of the best writing I have read in recent years. And maybe because I grew up in America, it makes it that much harder for me to try and relate. Or, maybe it really has nothing to do with culture at all, as their are bad people who make bad decisions all over the world.
Baba was an extremely unlikable character. Not only did I hate how he treated Amir, I also couldn't understand his need for constant attention, attention he never bestowed on his son except for after the Kite Running. ***Spoiler alert*** Then, when Ali and Hassaan tell Baba they are leaving, he breaks down sobbing, the first real sign of emotion you see from him throughout the entire book. Just didn't care for him at all.
Rahim Khan. Now this was a character I really liked. He was always looking out for everyone and seemed to genuinely care.
Ali and Hasaan. Again, I really like both of these characters. Unfortunately, the main character is the one I had the biggest issue with.
Amir. Where do I even begin? I loathed this character, and no matter how he was brought up, or what his age, I just couldn't understand how he could be so cruel. He always accused Assef of being the bully and cruel, but in reality he wasn't any better. And I'm not even talking about what happened to Hassaan. It was everything he did in his life from that point forward. Even in the end, when he goes back to Afghanistan, he doesn't do it because he wants to. He does it because Rahim sends for him. So I never liked him and that made the book less than enjoyable for me.
Would I recommend it? I would. It is obvious from the reviews that I am in the minority. But this one just wasn't for me.
3 stars
I want to first say that the author is a fabulous writer. Some of the best writing I have read in recent years. And maybe because I grew up in America, it makes it that much harder for me to try and relate. Or, maybe it really has nothing to do with culture at all, as their are bad people who make bad decisions all over the world.
Baba was an extremely unlikable character. Not only did I hate how he treated Amir, I also couldn't understand his need for constant attention, attention he never bestowed on his son except for after the Kite Running. ***Spoiler alert*** Then, when Ali and Hassaan tell Baba they are leaving, he breaks down sobbing, the first real sign of emotion you see from him throughout the entire book. Just didn't care for him at all.
Rahim Khan. Now this was a character I really liked. He was always looking out for everyone and seemed to genuinely care.
Ali and Hasaan. Again, I really like both of these characters. Unfortunately, the main character is the one I had the biggest issue with.
Amir. Where do I even begin? I loathed this character, and no matter how he was brought up, or what his age, I just couldn't understand how he could be so cruel. He always accused Assef of being the bully and cruel, but in reality he wasn't any better. And I'm not even talking about what happened to Hassaan. It was everything he did in his life from that point forward. Even in the end, when he goes back to Afghanistan, he doesn't do it because he wants to. He does it because Rahim sends for him. So I never liked him and that made the book less than enjoyable for me.
Would I recommend it? I would. It is obvious from the reviews that I am in the minority. But this one just wasn't for me.
3 stars
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