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mayhernandez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
beebonet's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. Halfway into it and that very much could have happened. I was riveted by the central story of Pari and Abdullah, I was addicted, wanting to find out more, so much so that I found myself reading this book while brushing my teeth, not wanting to miss a moment.
However, the more I read, the less I liked the book. This is an example of a book with great writing, and a great plot, but poor execution. The story is milked for the pathos it creates, painfully we veer off into spending more and more time with random characters. Each is interesting, but by the 7th one, where we learn about the cousin's wife's trauma, the book induces compassion fatigue. It is a tour de force of multiple characters with sad lives, the actual story takes many detours, so much so that it becomes boring in its scope. It is like an endless walk in a desert of bad and sad people.
It has classic "heart tuggers", however because of the randomized storytelling, these moments feel more like platitudes. Grand gestures in the novel end as cheap tricks, used to elicit emotions in the reader. The moments of revelation end up being more comedic than moving.
I am disappointed by this book. It could have been great but became far much, much less.
However, the more I read, the less I liked the book. This is an example of a book with great writing, and a great plot, but poor execution. The story is milked for the pathos it creates, painfully we veer off into spending more and more time with random characters. Each is interesting, but by the 7th one, where we learn about the cousin's wife's trauma, the book induces compassion fatigue. It is a tour de force of multiple characters with sad lives, the actual story takes many detours, so much so that it becomes boring in its scope. It is like an endless walk in a desert of bad and sad people.
It has classic "heart tuggers", however because of the randomized storytelling, these moments feel more like platitudes. Grand gestures in the novel end as cheap tricks, used to elicit emotions in the reader. The moments of revelation end up being more comedic than moving.
I am disappointed by this book. It could have been great but became far much, much less.
onsee's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.0
c_ityscape's review against another edition
4.0
It was simply a beautiful book, I think I am leaving it at 4 stars only because I didn't get through the ending well maybe because of the travel.
Each chapter delved into the lives of interconnected characters, spanning years of their journeys. This book really does capture the essence of human emotions in a profound way. The pain of being apart, the yearning for connection, all brought to life through heartfelt words.
I
Each chapter delved into the lives of interconnected characters, spanning years of their journeys. This book really does capture the essence of human emotions in a profound way. The pain of being apart, the yearning for connection, all brought to life through heartfelt words.
I
npar6790's review against another edition
5.0
Another phenomenal book by Khaled Hosseini. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars!
jnkx27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
amylynn1031's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0