Review – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
I think it’s official: I am The Last Person To Read The Kite Runner. What can I say? So many books, so little time.
If you’ve lived under a rock in a hole at the bottom of the ocean (there’s a hole in the bottom of the sea…there’s a hole in the bottom of the sea…there’s a hole…there’s a hole…there’s a hole in the bottom of the sea….there’s a rock in the hole in the bottom of the sea…there’s a rock in the hole in the bottom of the sea…there’s a rock…there’s a rock…there’s a rock in the hole in the bottom of the sea…anyone care to continue?), you will still probably know what this book is about. But just in case, here’s my run-on synopsis: The Kite Runner is about Amir, who betrays his childhood friend, Hassan, when he’s around 12 and that one incident shapes who he becomes. It is a story of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, love, forgiveness, redemption, relationships…ultimately it is everyone’s story, because who hasn’t done something that they wish they could take back, that one thing if done differently would have changed a lot of things?
This was a beautiful story. The writing is fluid and I found myself engrossed, wanting to read it any chance I could. I don’t really know what to say except if you haven’t read it yet, go read it now. And don’t come back till yer done.
Rating: 90 out of 100
Since I did such a lame review, if anyone would like to link to their review, please do so. I beg you. Save me from my embarassment.
Secondly, please raise your hand if you haven’t read this book yet.
Thank you.
| Tags: Books, khaled hosseini, Review, the kite runner 28 comments »
May 29th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
i think i did a lamer review than yours.
personally, i found this so sad and depressing, but it was a very good read nonetheless, something read at least once in your life.
and better to have read a good book late than to not have read it at all, don’t you think?
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May 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Here’s a link to my review if you want it:
I didn’t think your review was so lame
.
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May 29th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Whoops, the link didn’t come through. Let’s try again:
http://pendvasq-readingritingandrandomness.blogspot.com/2007/08/just-finished-kite-runner.html
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May 29th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Sometimes, it’s difficult to know what to say about a book you really enjoyed.
I know we read this for book group, but can’t remember if I reviewed it…off to check…
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May 29th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Oh no – the last person title would go to me! I don’t even own a copy – but perhaps I should!
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May 30th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Yes. Hello.
…I’m just here to raise my hand…
Cut me some slack, though. I have a line that runs the length of the equator of books I’ve got to read!
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Um, I think I’m the last person, since I haven’t read it yet and don’t own it . . .
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am
There’s a hat on the squid on the lid on the rock in the hole in the bottom of the sea. . .
I remember this one!! Too funny!
And my hand is up. I haven’t read this yet either. But I might get to it later this summer. I’m soooo late to this party.
Lezlie
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:24 am
I read this sometime last year, but my book club is reading it this month. I think this is very well written and an incredibly moving book. That said, I chose not to reread it for book club; I didn’t want to revisit the sadness and horror I remembered within the pages.
We have our book club meeting on June 8 and I’ll be posting our thoughts on my blog a few days after that, in case you’re interested.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:25 am
*raises hand* *hangs head*
Sadly, I haven’t read it yet. I plan/hope to read it this summer.
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May 30th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I’ll never forget the quote: “For you, a thousand times over.” Gets me every time!
I reviewed this book a couple of years ago on my old blog, the one I had before I started my official book blog… and now I can’t find it. Oh well. But let’s just say, I loved it!
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May 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
With that kind of review, I think I will go out and get it.
There is no such thin as to many good books!
Here from NaComLeavMo
~Jodi
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May 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Raising my hand. I guess I have another book to read this summer.
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May 30th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
*Raises hand* But in my own defense, it is on my list. I just haven’t bought it yet…
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
*raises hand*
I read A Thousand Splendid Suns this year, but still have The Kite Runner sitting on my bedside TBR pile. I will be reading it this month for a book club read.
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Nope, you’re not the last. I’m in under the rock in the hole in the bottom of the sea. Okay, yeah, I know what it’s about. A friend sent me a copy and I’m going to read it, someday. But, I’ve been hesitant because I know what it’s about and I hate sadness and tragedy. Usually, when I read something tragic it’s purely accidental. LOL Someday, though.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I started to read it but I stopped. I hated and was disgusted by the scene of betrayal, and while everyone says there is redemption, I decided I hated the book and the character enough not to waste my time with more of it. It was depressing me.
I know, I’m probably the only one to truly hate it, but there you have it.
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May 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
*raises hand*
I do have it on my book shelf…but have put off reading it because I was told it was depressing. Haven’t been able to read books like that for a while.
It’s still on my list though.
And that rock in the ocean diddy…never heard it. Sounds like something my son would love though.
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May 30th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
All I can say is that I “LOVED” the Kite Runner (but didn’t write a review since I wasn’t book blogging yet!
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I haven’t read this yet but I will be adding it to my wishlist.
Oh, I’m over from NCLM.
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I haven’t read it yet! One day, though, one day.
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May 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
This was one of my favorite books the year I read it. For some reason, my husband and I were sitting on the floor in the sunroom reading that morning. And then the morning turned into afternoon and then came evening . . . I didn’t notice the passing of time, I was so engrossed in the book.
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May 31st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I have read this, but it was before I started blogging, so I have no reviews to share. I really liked this one, despite the very sad parts. It really made me feel involved in the situation going on in Afganistan. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie!
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June 1st, 2008 at 6:17 am
Raising my hand. I haven’t read either The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns, and have no plans to read either of them. I know my mother loved them, my former boss loved them, everyone loves them. I just have no interest in either of them. Oh, well. I’ve always said, if you want literary, don’t read my blog. In that vein, my favorite quote is, “Never apologize for your reading taste.”
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June 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Read it. Loved it. Wait- LOVED it. Amir, Hassan, Sohrab, Baba, these characters will be with me for years to come. Loved it. Did I say I loved it?? One of my all time favorites. I never wrote a review because I read it in my pre-blogging days.
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June 1st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I loved it too – yikes, I tear up just thinking about it. “For you, a thousand times over.” And as a p.s., there is movie version out that is pretty darn good. I’d wait a little since you just read the book, but it’s worth checking out. Another tearjerker.
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June 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I reviewed it, but I didn’t like it as much as you did:
http://dogeardiary.blogspot.com/2007/10/kite-runner.html
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April 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I reviewed it, and loved it as much as you did. You’ll find the review at http://www.linktoink.blogspot.com .
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