You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
[3.5 stars]
I finished reading this in two days because I just couldn't put it down.
It tells the story of a rich Afghan boy and his servant, and how a tragedy broke them apart.
It was a heartbreaking story, and I'm surprised it didn't make me cry. I guess tragedy after tragedy, you just expect the worst, and get numb after a while.
The ending was predictable.
I really liked getting to know a little about the history of Afghanistan and their culture before the Taliban.
I finished reading this in two days because I just couldn't put it down.
It tells the story of a rich Afghan boy and his servant, and how a tragedy broke them apart.
It was a heartbreaking story, and I'm surprised it didn't make me cry. I guess tragedy after tragedy, you just expect the worst, and get numb after a while.
The ending was predictable.
I really liked getting to know a little about the history of Afghanistan and their culture before the Taliban.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Violence, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
I know a book deserves five stars when the mere thought of it triggers all the emotions to come back up just like the first time I read it. It truly left it's mark on me, and it is one of the books that I will never forget, that will go down as my one of my all-time favorites. Words really cannot encapsulate how impactful and lasting this book is to me, which is why it took me so long to write this review--out of fear that I wouldn't do it justice with a paragraph or two.
Moral complexity/ambiguity and deep character involvement is my kryptonite, so I may be very biased in my opinion. However, there is no argument that Hosseini can write haunting, heart-wrenching stories that captures absolute despair with as much authenticity and rawness as he does. His characters emit a realness I don't see often and completely dismantles any idealism or redundancy that accompanies most books that center their plot development around their characters.
All I have to say to people who have not read this book is: read it. Whether you love it as much as I did or not, it's a read worthy of as much time, thought, and emotion as Hosseini puts into writing it. This book was the most memorable book I have read in years. Beautifully written and amazing plot progression. Absolutely heart-wrenching and haunting, though, so keep tissues nearby at all times!
Moral complexity/ambiguity and deep character involvement is my kryptonite, so I may be very biased in my opinion. However, there is no argument that Hosseini can write haunting, heart-wrenching stories that captures absolute despair with as much authenticity and rawness as he does. His characters emit a realness I don't see often and completely dismantles any idealism or redundancy that accompanies most books that center their plot development around their characters.
All I have to say to people who have not read this book is: read it. Whether you love it as much as I did or not, it's a read worthy of as much time, thought, and emotion as Hosseini puts into writing it. This book was the most memorable book I have read in years. Beautifully written and amazing plot progression. Absolutely heart-wrenching and haunting, though, so keep tissues nearby at all times!
Pain’s Quiet Redemption
The Kite Runner is a poignant historical fiction tale set against Afghanistan’s turbulent backdrop, following Amir, a boy wrestling with guilt and loyalty, and his steadfast friend Hassan. The coming-of-age journey of Amir, Hassan, and later Sohrab gripped me—father-son drama, Hassan’s selfless sacrifice, and Amir’s hard-won redemption hit all my sweet spots. The historical weave and emotional stakes, like gaining a father’s fleeting approval or overcoming betrayal, shone bright. Yet, some turns—like a villain’s convenient reappearance—stretched believability, piling on drama when subtlety might’ve sufficed. The prose, while clear and engaging, lacked the lyrical flow I crave, though it never bogged down. This story surprised me, delivering more depth and heart than I’d expected—a near-perfect blend of what I love in a book. Standout lines linger: “I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night,” and “A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.”
The Kite Runner is a poignant historical fiction tale set against Afghanistan’s turbulent backdrop, following Amir, a boy wrestling with guilt and loyalty, and his steadfast friend Hassan. The coming-of-age journey of Amir, Hassan, and later Sohrab gripped me—father-son drama, Hassan’s selfless sacrifice, and Amir’s hard-won redemption hit all my sweet spots. The historical weave and emotional stakes, like gaining a father’s fleeting approval or overcoming betrayal, shone bright. Yet, some turns—like a villain’s convenient reappearance—stretched believability, piling on drama when subtlety might’ve sufficed. The prose, while clear and engaging, lacked the lyrical flow I crave, though it never bogged down. This story surprised me, delivering more depth and heart than I’d expected—a near-perfect blend of what I love in a book. Standout lines linger: “I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night,” and “A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.”