Scan barcode
allthingsjennifer's review against another edition
5.0
I liked The Kite Runner, I loved the beginning but I felt like it all tied up too nicely at the end and that bothered me. However, I knew I enjoyed the authors storytelling and was excited to read his next novel. I picked this book up and did not but it down until I was finished and wiping tears from my eyes. I was engrossed with this story from start to finish. I LOVED this story.
I seem to enjoy the storytelling from two different perspectives. By the time I got to Part Two I really wanted to still be reading Part One...and by the time I got to Part Three, oh...that's when the story began.
Amist the war torn, ravaged country of Afghanistan the tale told in this book is rather simple. The story of two women and the lives they lead. The reality is plainly told and heartbreaking to bear.
I seem to enjoy the storytelling from two different perspectives. By the time I got to Part Two I really wanted to still be reading Part One...and by the time I got to Part Three, oh...that's when the story began.
Amist the war torn, ravaged country of Afghanistan the tale told in this book is rather simple. The story of two women and the lives they lead. The reality is plainly told and heartbreaking to bear.
brucebee's review against another edition
5.0
another fantastic story that gives insight to the Afghanistan story
nattylite16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
calliegesmundo's review against another edition
emotional
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? N/A
4.75
mshelen's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the story from the beginning to the end. It is sad, war torn and uplifting.
tastytakoyaki's review against another edition
5.0
I have never cried so much after finishing a book.
I was in high school in the early 2000's, and 9/11 happened during my Sophomore year. I remember it clearly, a friend of mine storming up to me with her coffee mug in hand, shouting "we've been attacked!". As a class, we convinced our very reluctant 1st period teacher to turn on the news so we could see what was happening. The people of Afghanistan remember it too, and this was a look into what they experienced and may have felt. This book prompted me to do further reading into Afghan culture, which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.
I like the efficiency of the writing style in this book. The setting and character descriptions were simple enough to keep me moving through, but containing just the right details for me to easily paint a picture of the setting, even down to the smells. I did google some pictures of examples of Afghan people, listened to examples of Farsi language vs. Pashto, and looked at some differences between the people and cultures. As a generally uninformed standard American, I admit to assuming people from Afghanistan looked like the stereotypical images we see in American media. I didn't expect the people to be described as having green eyes and blonde hair, so that spurned a whole new rabbit hole of research and culture discovery.
The conditions described for the women and the children in this book are horrific and deplorable. The violence and oppression they endured were akin to Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", and that was a total work of fiction. These characters went through things that actual women went through, and in many cases are still going through today. It reminds me of the importance to continue to fight for our respect and our rights here, and to do what we can to help others who do not have them. I like that the author includes a link to the UN Refugee's website at the end for more information and ways to help refugees.
This book is full of heartache. Much of it is really difficult to endure, but in my opinion it is worth the struggle in the end. It will break your heart over and over, and when you feel like you may have reached a respite, it hurts you again. I cried during the end of part 3 and pretty much all through part 4. It is tragic but it still manages to satisfy.
I'm glad I read it. I'm going to read The Kite Runner next.
I was in high school in the early 2000's, and 9/11 happened during my Sophomore year. I remember it clearly, a friend of mine storming up to me with her coffee mug in hand, shouting "we've been attacked!". As a class, we convinced our very reluctant 1st period teacher to turn on the news so we could see what was happening. The people of Afghanistan remember it too, and this was a look into what they experienced and may have felt. This book prompted me to do further reading into Afghan culture, which I probably wouldn't have done otherwise.
I like the efficiency of the writing style in this book. The setting and character descriptions were simple enough to keep me moving through, but containing just the right details for me to easily paint a picture of the setting, even down to the smells. I did google some pictures of examples of Afghan people, listened to examples of Farsi language vs. Pashto, and looked at some differences between the people and cultures. As a generally uninformed standard American, I admit to assuming people from Afghanistan looked like the stereotypical images we see in American media. I didn't expect the people to be described as having green eyes and blonde hair, so that spurned a whole new rabbit hole of research and culture discovery.
The conditions described for the women and the children in this book are horrific and deplorable. The violence and oppression they endured were akin to Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale", and that was a total work of fiction. These characters went through things that actual women went through, and in many cases are still going through today. It reminds me of the importance to continue to fight for our respect and our rights here, and to do what we can to help others who do not have them. I like that the author includes a link to the UN Refugee's website at the end for more information and ways to help refugees.
This book is full of heartache. Much of it is really difficult to endure, but in my opinion it is worth the struggle in the end. It will break your heart over and over, and when you feel like you may have reached a respite, it hurts you again. I cried during the end of part 3 and pretty much all through part 4. It is tragic but it still manages to satisfy.
I'm glad I read it. I'm going to read The Kite Runner next.
kerrkween's review against another edition
5.0
As much as I loved The Kite Runner for its insight into life in a country unfamiliar to me and the human experience we all share, I deeply appreciate the addition of the female perspective of the same culture and time period. I am always fascinated when an author seems able to capture and effectively convey contrasting points of view. I found myself as profoundly immersed in the lives and struggles of Mariam and Laila as I had been those of Amir and Hassan in this author’s first novel.
scottcurtis10's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, although it is very sad. I personally find the treatment of women by men in this particular society (Taliban-era Afghanistan) to be repugnant. How can a nation grow and become strong when half of the population is treated as sub-human and is not valued for their potential to contribute to society? This makes for very difficult reading. However, this is a story about survival and finding meaning out of misery and not falling victim to despair. It is about making a contribution, however small, in spite of the hand you have been dealt. And, as in the case of "The Kite Runner," it is a book about Afghanistan as much as it is about any of the characters in the book. You will not feel elevated by reading this book, but it is a worthwhile and important read for those interested in understanding this complex culture.