A review by beatriceku
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this book is many things. a waste of time is not one of them. the story is an overwhelming and heart wrenching tale, one that i feel is relatable, but other-worldly at the same time. you’ve heard it said before, but this is truly one important book. does anything ‘good’ necessarily happen in this novel! i would probably argue not. but it is filled with complexity and layers of human emotion that are unreachable in your typical YA novels and arguably, the most renowned classics. it speaks to the immigrant experience, the heartbreak of war, guilt, shame, class, and so many more in a gripping, nuanced, and eloquent manner. not only so, but is a riveting read, with twists and a fair share of devastating turns. all in all, although the term is cliche - it is an important read. to not only understand the history of Afghanistan, and the story of Amir, but also as a guide in how to navigate our own burdens and deepest shames.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gore, Islamophobia, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Classism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Vomit, War, Medical content, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Self harm