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Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) 's Reviews > The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner
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Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) 's review
bookshelves: book-club, historical-fiction, afghanistan
Nov 02, 2013
bookshelves: book-club, historical-fiction, afghanistan
I loved A thousand Splendid Suns and I was expecting to have the same feelings for The Kite Runner. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Maybe I was more interested in the subject of women's rights in Afghanistan and it made my sympathies with the main characters. I was moved by the women's struggle whereas the story of Amir failed to impress me.
I have to be honest. I despised Amir from the first page and my feelings did not changed throughout the book. I know it should not be a reason for not appreciating a book and I agree with that when I read a literature masterpiece such as Hunger, The Trial or Crime and Punishment. However, here is not the case. In Khaled Hosseini books, if you are not touched by the characters, the magic of the book is gone as he manipulates you into feeling in a certain way and cry your eyes out at the end. It worked with A thousand Splendid Suns. No so much here. Maybe the timing was wrong.
Even if I hated the MC I still enjoyed Khaled Hosseini writing style.
I have to be honest. I despised Amir from the first page and my feelings did not changed throughout the book. I know it should not be a reason for not appreciating a book and I agree with that when I read a literature masterpiece such as Hunger, The Trial or Crime and Punishment. However, here is not the case. In Khaled Hosseini books, if you are not touched by the characters, the magic of the book is gone as he manipulates you into feeling in a certain way and cry your eyes out at the end. It worked with A thousand Splendid Suns. No so much here. Maybe the timing was wrong.
Even if I hated the MC I still enjoyed Khaled Hosseini writing style.
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Reading Progress
November 2, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 2, 2013
– Shelved
September 9, 2014
– Shelved as:
book-club
September 9, 2014
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
May 7, 2016
–
Started Reading
May 12, 2016
–
Finished Reading
August 29, 2018
– Shelved as:
afghanistan
Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)
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message 1:
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Zaki
(new)
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rated it 1 star
Oct 24, 2016 12:12PM
i felt like the author was manipulative as well.
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message 2:
by
Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications)
(last edited Oct 24, 2016 12:50PM)
(new)
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rated it 2 stars
Zaki wrote: "i felt like the author was manipulative as well."I am happy there are people that think as me. Your review was quite harsh but to the point.
Elyse wrote: "Agree about one thing...A Thousand Splendid Suns... what is the best book ---
And I often thought, they made a film on the wrong book."
I did not see the movie for The Kite Runner but I would like to see a movie for A thousand Splendid Sun better.
Adina, this is one of the rare reviews of kite runner that I've read that rate it 2/5. Nevertheless, I appreciate the way same books appear differently to different readers! Perspectives ! Happy reading !
Piyush wrote: "Adina, this is one of the rare reviews of kite runner that I've read that rate it 2/5. Nevertheless, I appreciate the way same books appear differently to different readers! Perspectives ! Happy re..." As i wrote, I am not sure why it did not work for me since I previously loved the author. Wrong timing maybe.
This hasn’t aged well in my mind. It’s the kind of novel you feel pressured to like. It’s made me start paying attention to authors being extremely manipulative and/or having a writer character, but the writing itself is not great nor compelling.
oh gosh i just got this from a free little library... maybe i should put it back lol
There it is! One of the reasons why I didn’t read any Hosseini so far - I fear it is as popular as Coelho and as one-dimensional as that. Thanks for a good review, Adina
I recently read his third work, 'And the Mountains Echoed' and it was a multi dimensional work on a human level, and the plight from a troubling past in hopes of a better future, not so much focused on Afghani culture and politics... might be worth your while...
Anna wrote: "This hasn’t aged well in my mind. It’s the kind of novel you feel pressured to like. It’s made me start paying attention to authors being extremely manipulative and/or having a writer character, bu..." Exactly. I became more and more aware of this kind of books and I do not rate them too highly.
emma griffioen! wrote: "oh gosh i just got this from a free little library... maybe i should put it back lol" it depends on what you like to read. Give it a try.
Anna wrote: "There it is! One of the reasons why I didn’t read any Hosseini so far - I fear it is as popular as Coelho and as one-dimensional as that. Thanks for a good review, Adina" It is probably better than Coelho but not that much. same manipulation tendencies though.
MiM wrote: "I recently read his third work, 'And the Mountains Echoed' and it was a multi dimensional work on a human level, and the plight from a troubling past in hopes of a better future, not so much focuse..." Maybe later. For now, two novels by the author seems the right number :) Glad you enjoyed it though.
Sumit wrote: "Great Review!" Thanks
can you not say that, hating amir could have been one of the desired outcome Khaled had hoped ? Invoking a strong feeling is a win for the author, i think :)
Mo wrote: "can you not say that, hating amir could have been one of the desired outcome Khaled had hoped ? Invoking a strong feeling is a win for the author, i think :)" it might be true, I am not sure what the author intended. Yes, usually I agree with you that strong feelings for a character is a win.
Great review!
Bren fall in love with the sea. wrote: "Great review!" Thank you Bren.
It has been several years since I read the book, but I do not remember it the way you describe it. I would have to read it again with a different perspective and an open mind to say whether I agree or disagree with you.
Alvaro wrote: "It has been several years since I read the book, but I do not remember it the way you describe it. I would have to read it again with a different perspective and an open mind to say whether I agree..." Hmm, it might have been the wrong time. Who knows, I might see this differently now.
