You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Islamophobia, War
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Oh my this was a HARD book to read. It's the story of fathers and sons and boyhood friendship set in Afghanistan. The language is beautiful and makes this a well written book, but the content that includes many violent details made this a book I struggled with walking away from at many points.
The only book that I can compare this to is Toni Morrison's Beloved, which is another book that is well written, but so terrifying. I read both books because they have frequently been banned/challenged.
I recommend listening to the audiobook of this title. It's read by the author and his voice helps set the scene for the events of the story.
The only book that I can compare this to is Toni Morrison's Beloved, which is another book that is well written, but so terrifying. I read both books because they have frequently been banned/challenged.
I recommend listening to the audiobook of this title. It's read by the author and his voice helps set the scene for the events of the story.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I truly wish I had read this book sooner! What I found the most moving about this book is 1) the characters and being able to relate to each of them differently, and 2) the overarching theme of redemption for one’s past and how that can be such a complex thing to achieve.
This book does hold a few more intense, heavy, and violent scenes, of which I usually feel mixed feelings about in books. Sometimes authors include way too many gruesome details that leave you more scarred than anything else. I felt that Hosseini kept a good balance and did not hover on these scenes too much. We knew what had happened by the context and a bit of reading between the lines, and at least for me, I was able to keep reading while still keeping those scenes in the back of my mind. We need these scenes in literature to a certain extent, and I think Hosseini handled and wrote them well.
In my opinion, I think Hosseini did a phenomenal job portraying the feeling of regret and shame in Amir when he did not stand up for Hassan, the event that ultimately shattered their friendship. We as readers were able to immediately feel his regret and shame, but were also, in some way, able to feel the shame that Hassan felt. Simultaneously I could understand how both characters felt, and empathize with both, as hard as it was sometimes to empathize with Amir when most of his actions after the tragic event were selfish.
The overarching theme of redemption that Amir takes decades to ultimately achieve is very interesting to me as well. The past can never be changed or erased, but you as a person can change. Your values can change. And you can become a better person without forgetting your past. Ultimately I think because Amir was able to talk about his past with his wife and Rahim Khan, he was slowly able to accept it and begin his journey to help Sohrab, his redemption. Redemption begins with acceptance.
This book does hold a few more intense, heavy, and violent scenes, of which I usually feel mixed feelings about in books. Sometimes authors include way too many gruesome details that leave you more scarred than anything else. I felt that Hosseini kept a good balance and did not hover on these scenes too much. We knew what had happened by the context and a bit of reading between the lines, and at least for me, I was able to keep reading while still keeping those scenes in the back of my mind. We need these scenes in literature to a certain extent, and I think Hosseini handled and wrote them well.
In my opinion, I think Hosseini did a phenomenal job portraying the feeling of regret and shame in Amir when he did not stand up for Hassan, the event that ultimately shattered their friendship. We as readers were able to immediately feel his regret and shame, but were also, in some way, able to feel the shame that Hassan felt. Simultaneously I could understand how both characters felt, and empathize with both, as hard as it was sometimes to empathize with Amir when most of his actions after the tragic event were selfish.
The overarching theme of redemption that Amir takes decades to ultimately achieve is very interesting to me as well. The past can never be changed or erased, but you as a person can change. Your values can change. And you can become a better person without forgetting your past. Ultimately I think because Amir was able to talk about his past with his wife and Rahim Khan, he was slowly able to accept it and begin his journey to help Sohrab, his redemption. Redemption begins with acceptance.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
i watched a video on youtube of someone visiting Afghanistan in 2020 and the youtuber showed kites flying in the air and said they’d seen them everywhere
emotional
sad
fast-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
Re-read, but still just as stunning as the first time I read it. A forever favorite