Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

256 reviews

mauricekofi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

This book absolutely broke me and made me whole, over and over again. All I will say is I should have listened to my friend when she told me she cried as a child reading this book, it's not for the light of heart. Yet still, Hosseini impacts a critical understanding of life and consequences for those in the global south, through the lens of an Afghan boy, grown into a man, who lived in privilege before his country turned to ruin by the policies of European and Western powers. My review does not do justice for how wonderfully sad, informative, and foundational this book is. In a post-Afghanistan war America, I dearly wish more Americans and young students read this book, to ask themselves why we are taught the things we know about other countries and challenge when and where American "intervention" is needed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Torture, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt

habibaa20's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Abandonment, Xenophobia, War, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Medical trauma, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Suicide attempt, and Grief

aimlessaugust's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Sexual assault

b3ttysbooks33's review against another edition

informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is not only a relatable, emotional story about regret, but also a haunting and impactful insight into the tragic historical and ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.

note: some people criticize the depictions of religion and politics, but I feel that because most of these controversial opinions come from characters who is clearly deeply flawed, the author leaves room for such issues to be discussed rather than dictating a specific narrative.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, War, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Genocide, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Infertility, Islamophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, and Suicide attempt

huffkjames's review against another edition

dark inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and War

oliviajjones's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Sexual violence, Racism, Vomit, Rape, Murder, Gun violence, War, and Genocide

drashti_444's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-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: Sexual assault, War, Trafficking, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Racism, Cancer, Murder, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Sexual violence

richardiporter's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense 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

4.0

Who should read? People interested in Afghanistan and its people. People with the endurance for a story full of negative emotions, darkness, pain. 
CW: rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, murder, war etc

This book is not a pleasant experience. There is some redemption in it and there is value in perceiving the suffering depicted. It aligns with my understanding of the lives of many people in Afghanistan in many ways. It is well written and the audiobook is well read by the author. 
I will likely not read or listen to it again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Medical content, Blood, and Medical trauma

hezaasan's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

4.0

I somehow missed this one when it first came out and became a sensation. A friend of mine encouraged me to read it but was unwilling to part with their three autographed copies, so I started hunting for it in bookstores. After three months of failing to find it on any Barnes and Noble or Schulers bookshelf, I finally renewed my library card, et voila, numerous copies were at my disposal. All I can say is, despite one specific plot point that was a wee bit too convenient and more than a little action flick hence out of place, I understand the desire to make sure this book is consumed. A powerful, tragic yet hopeful, darkly informative work such as this deserves it 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse

quinn24's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative 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

5.0

This was a painful read, and I mean that as big compliment. I really don’t know much at all about Afghanistan’s history or culture and I think I learnt a lot from this, and am interested in learning more, which I really love when a book does that for me. The characters all feel very human, and complex. Amir is an interesting protagonist, he makes some really bad decisions that hurt people in a terrible way but I also feel the need to defend him, and I think his arc was very well done. This novel is imbued with a deep sense of grief. Grief of a childhood, of innocence, of loved ones, and of a homeland. It’s emotional whiplash tied up in beautiful writing and narrative structure. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death, Sexual assault, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent

Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Classism, Murder, and Pedophilia

Minor: Genocide, Alcohol, Cursing, Suicide, and War