Reviews tagging 'Islamophobia'

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

61 reviews

josiiie's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual harassment, Sexism, War, Abandonment, Bullying, Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism

zoeleea's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

4.25

the writer is incredible, you fall in love with some character while getting angry and hating others. although the main character is infuriating 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Death, and Genocide

sankta_aleena's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Murder, Miscarriage, Islamophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Hate crime, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Genocide, Excrement, Death of parent, Death, Colonisation, Cancer, Blood, and Animal death

Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol

Minor: Drug use

izzyknight's review against another edition

challenging sad 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

4.0

This book is beautiful. I had to read it for school but I really loved it. It is absolutely heartbreaking especially with everything that is going on with Afghanistan currently it is difficult to read at parts. My main critique is just how unlikable Amir is, he is an unreliable narrator throughout and has very few if any redeeming qualities. However this is truly brilliant and everyone should read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Racism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

v11_'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Police brutality, and Violence

224ok's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Violence, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Gun violence, Hate crime, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Ableism

hannahmayhere's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Cancer, Bullying, and Islamophobia

Moderate: Ableism, Blood, and Vomit

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

dschini1410's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence

backpackingbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad 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

When I think of The Kite Runner, I think of it as the book that really got me into reading. The one that broadened my horizons to books that existed outside of popular British fiction. It opened my eyes to a new culture, genre, and history. I wasted no time in reading Hosseini's other books which were equally as brilliant. But The Kite Runner will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I first studied this book in my English Literature class, learning quotes and dissecting chapters. I  watched the film, followed by seeing the show live on Broadway, where I sobbed my heart out from start to finish.

Roughly nine years later, I reread the book as part of my February reading challenge (books set in Afghanistan). The familiar feelings washed over me as I read the first few lines and I couldn't put it down (even though I remembered much of what had happened). The quotes touched my heart as they brought back memories of my English lit days. They made more of an impact on me at 28, to the point where I was very tempted to highlight each one in the book (I refrained because I'm not an animal 😉).

I have read very few authors that write like Hosseini. His research/experience made the story feel harrowingly real and, from what I've read in other reviews, it was a very accurate portrayal. Which makes it even harder to digest. The character development was perfect, even though there was quite a jump from Amir's childhood to adulthood. We knew enough of his character to fill in the gaps though. This book had so many themes, but one I really liked was Amir's arc; he started out as a privileged boy desperate for a close relationship with his father, which made him act cruel and cowardly towards his most loyal friend. I detested Amir's behaviour but also tried to understand that he was just a child who craved his father's love. His actions were unforgivable but we could see that the guilt followed him through to adulthood. Then, Amir has the chance to redeem himself. He finally stood up for what mattered, rather than hiding and letting someone else fight his battles. He still wasn't a character I would say I liked, but I appreciated the complexities and the exploration of his arc.

Hassan on the other hand was one of my absolute favourite characters of all time. His unwavering loyalty and selfless nature made my heart break for him every time others tried to put him down for being a Hazara. One of the reasons this novel is so powerful and emotional is because Hassan lies at the centre. An innocent, optimistic, and brave boy with simple dreams, judged and abused because of his ethnic group. Hassan teaches us many things in The Kite Runner, such as confronting bullies, standing up for what's right, and staying loyal to the people who mean everything to you. 

There are so many other things I could say about this book, but I will end by encouraging everyone to read it and see for yourself the impact it will make on your life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, and Islamophobia

tstiltsxx711's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Violence