Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

74 reviews

lindasoderlundd's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Infertility, Rape, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and War

Moderate: Terminal illness

Minor: Misogyny

zezeki's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

myriam7's review against another edition

emotional informative 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and War

imaginefishes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I was originally skeptical of starting this book due to its length and what I believed to be touching on heavy topics, and the start of the book was somewhat slow to get through because of that. However, as the story progressed, I found I couldn't help but be drawn more and more to the book, and I genuinely could not stop thinking about it. The book is deliciously tightly woven together, where certain things certain characters say make an appearance throughout the book much like they sometimes would in our memories and lives, and the author touches on so many social issues pertaining to the context of Afghanistan, which, many of which remain unsolved and continue to be perpetuated today, especially with the recent insurgence of the Taliban. I find this book to be as relevant now as it was nearly 20 years ago, and the way the plot points and how each character is written is truly marvelous and leaves such a lasting imprint on your memory.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual assault, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Slavery, and Terminal illness

The plot points on

paedophilia and rape

were quite shocking, especially initially, and it is truly horrifying to realise these are real things that happen to real people, real children in Afghanistan (and the rest of the world), and the violence and ideology held by Assef which eventually led him to

become one of the leaders of the Taliban and partake in an ethnic cleansing of his own

was really quite vile and again, extremely shocking when it happened.

Luckily, not all hope is lost, and he manages to get some sort of payback, however little.

However, what I have to say is I really did not enjoy the company of the main character - while it is understandable he did what he did, I found it enraging how

Hassan was always the one to come to his rescue, even in death, via Sohrab and his use of the slingshot, though it does make sense in the context of the book and his societal standing.

The book is rife with tragedy, but that small sliver of hope by the ending managed to bring it back a little, thankfully, and

somewhat redeem Amir from the demon he once thought he was

.

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

5.0

One of the saddest books I have ever read, but also one of the most beautiful. I truly believe that everyone should read this once in their life (remember to check trigger warnings though!)
The Kite Runner follows Amir, a privileged Afghan boy growing up right before the Russian Invasion. The story spans both adolescence and adulthood, as well as in Afghanistan and the United States, revolving around the themes of friendship, love, guilt, and amendments. It’s been a while since a book made me think about my own life so deeply and care for characters like they are dear friends.
Besides the moving plot line and character development, I think the writing was my favorite part. The prose was incredibly stunning, which is always a happy bonus when I read:)
Overall, I will always recommend The Kite Runner, so pick it up if you are interested!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Infertility, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, War, and Classism

Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy

lorriss's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Addiction, Infidelity, Suicide, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism

lukuperhonen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I enjoyed reading this book, especially since the events of the book became relevant in 2021 again. I loved some of the characters, but enjoyed exploring their flaws as well.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Violence

leahrosiee's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Medical content, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infertility

Minor: Child death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy

johannslauren15's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

There is not enough words in the English language for me to describe and explain how this book made me felt, you will just have to read it to understand and feel what the author is trying to convey. This book took me so long to read, as I loved the friendship between Amir and Hassan, although I didn't  want to find out what happened to them in their futures. It was moving, gripping, compelling, extraordinary, insightful to the past of Afghanistan lifestyles, but this still makes me hurt just thinking about everything that happens. Definitely would check the trigger warnings before reading and to make sure that you may/may not need a therapist after finishing this. I wasn't even sad or really down before reading this but only after....
Otherwise, very diverse and life-changing book I read.....

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Sexism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War

lilyenglish8'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Genocide, Infertility, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Terminal illness, and Alcohol