Reviews

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

mashthepotat's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

cheyarsen's review against another edition

5.0

We read this book as a class in English and it was absolutely amazing. It was heartbreaking and beautifully written. My only complaint would be that I wanted more. Definitely an amazing read!

jackleopards's review against another edition

5.0

Only one word could describe this book and that is ‘masterpiece’. I flew through the pages and was easily enthralled with Hosseini’s simple yet meaningful and poignant narrative about family, betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness with a mix of class, culture, Islamic practices and beliefs, double standards, and parental pressure. As much as this was fictional, I couldn’t get off the thought of reading this as a memoir as I follow Amir’s (MC) struggles as a son to seek validation from his diplomat father and as a better friend to Hassan (their servant’s son) by repenting all of his contemptousness and inequitable treatment throughout the years.

“War doesn’t negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.”

Along with its great storyline, true to life characters, and equally grotesque and exquisite setting, I found it as a necessary read as I get to see how Afghans suffered during the fall of their coutry’s constitutional monarchy and the rise of foreign conquerors in which they were caught in the tide of war and destruction back in the day.

“After all, life is not a Hindi movie. Zendagi migzara, Afghans like to say: Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end, kamyab, nah-kam, crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis.”

Although I haven’t shed a single tear, the book was indeed a sad coming of age story of filial relationship and brotherhood. This was one of the best reads I had for a long time and that would probably resonate with me for a long time. I would highly recommend this book to anyone a thousand times over.

jen_nicole's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

hannahmoy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amazing writing which was just so captivating. The depth that each character had made it so rich and alive and everything more meaningful. I got very invested and hooked by the characters. Loved the story and thought that every little aspect was so significant in the plot which I really enjoyed. 

charlieleb's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

slothrop_garp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

nadazzling's review against another edition

3.0

إن كانت الأدمع التي ذُرفت على هذا الكِتاب هي المقياس فإنه يستحق القراءة بجدارة.

courtbcook's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book in less than three days! Hosseini's writing style wasn't the most captivating, but the motivated me to speed through it. The pages practically turned themselves as I hoped that Amir, the narrator and protagonist, would make a good decision and be kind to his family. Hosseini does a great job of illuminating the humanity in Afghanistan and differentiating the people of Afghanistan from the Taliban government, while also creating characters and situations that the reader connects with emotionally. This is all combined and articulated in such a way that the story, the history, and the characters are accessible to anyone - even the 9th Grade students that I had read this novel. The book provoked great conversation about media representation and the ways in which that affects our perception of others.

linkson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Reread; still as amazing as the first time