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tillyjournals's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Join Amir recounting his entire life history, from his childhood in Afghanistan where he was good friends with Hassan, the son of his father's servant, who is a Hazara - an xx ethnic minority. To his adulthood in America where he and his father fled during the war. It is a devastating novel, with an awful lot of regret, abuse, death and vastly uncomfortable moments.
I find it really hard to rate books like this. I rate books based on my enjoyment of them and I can't really say that I enjoyed this, it was way too dark and depressing. I was listening to it on audiobook, and my husband just overheard bits and he kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to listen to this because it was so upsetting. And because of that lack of enjoyment I can't rate this higher than 2 stars.
I do however think this is an important novel to read. To have that brutal view of life in Afghanistan and how it has changed in our lifetimes, the victims of war and how things are never really seen outside of the country. This is real, the racism between ethnic minorities, the brutality of life, particularly of war, the Taliban taking over and so much more. It's devastating, and heart breaking to read, as such a novel should be.
I find it really hard to rate books like this. I rate books based on my enjoyment of them and I can't really say that I enjoyed this, it was way too dark and depressing. I was listening to it on audiobook, and my husband just overheard bits and he kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to listen to this because it was so upsetting. And because of that lack of enjoyment I can't rate this higher than 2 stars.
I do however think this is an important novel to read. To have that brutal view of life in Afghanistan and how it has changed in our lifetimes, the victims of war and how things are never really seen outside of the country. This is real, the racism between ethnic minorities, the brutality of life, particularly of war, the Taliban taking over and so much more. It's devastating, and heart breaking to read, as such a novel should be.
annaardon's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
helya_x's review against another edition
5.0
Crying, it was perfect. Also I saw a lot of Americans write shit reviews for this book, but I think your western perspectives are trying to convince you that this is Middle East gore click bait. This shit happens, and it’s real. Racism between Afghan ethnicities is real, the taliban taking over Afghan properties is real, servitude and honour and talks of family legacy are way too real in communities such as Iran, Afghanistan,Pakistan, etc.
jassi_pooh's review against another edition
emotional
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
katelennon05's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
laurencelitdeslivres's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
ameena_23's review against another edition
4.0
Khalid Hosseini's way with words is absolutely gorgeous as it is clearly depicted in this heart wrenching yet beautiful journey of a book.
I mean, he KNOWS how to make a heart cry.
BUT, I will say this: the book wrongly depicts the whole aspect revolving around "Talibans"
Not all Muslims are Talibans and not all Talibans are Muslims.
I mean, he KNOWS how to make a heart cry.
BUT, I will say this: the book wrongly depicts the whole aspect revolving around "Talibans"
Not all Muslims are Talibans and not all Talibans are Muslims.
ro5w's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
annadamsgaard's review against another edition
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