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The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini | category Literature & Fiction
Registered by wingSqueakyChuwing of Rockville, Maryland USA on 1/14/2008
15 journalers

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15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingSqueakyChuwing from Rockville, Maryland USA on Monday, January 14, 2008
I purchased this book at Yesterday's Rose book sale. When? Why, yesterday of course!

This is a fabulous book. I think I might start a bookray with this trade paperback copy.

Journal Entry 2 by wingSqueakyChuwing from Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, January 16, 2008
I've decided. It will become a bookray.

This story of Afghanistan, friendship, and political events begins as follows:
"I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into..."

To join this bookray, send me a PM with your mailing preferences. Remember that the participant list order is subject to change at any time based on mailing preferences, geography, or originator's whim!

Begin International Bookray (01/16/08):
SqueakyChu (Maryland, USA) done
crrcookie (Maryland, USA) done
Goddess-Of-Fire (Missouri, USA) done
MarysGirl (New York, USA) done
Guinneth (New Hampshire, USA) done
themarina (Canada) done
spiderchic (UK) done
Shimmy-crazy (UK) done
bike51man (UK) done - 1 year of travel
Anadyomene (Switzerland) done - Stop #10
bilbi (France) done
Maria-Nunes (Portugal) done
Gwenindil (Portugal) done
Tregossip (UK) done
jax987654321 (UK) done - 2 years of travel
End International Bookray (04/08/11):

This bookray was ended as there were no further updates to this book's journal for one year. The book travelled over two years to six countries, including four states within the USA. Thanks to everyone who participated.

2/4/2008: I saw the movie of The Kite Runner yesterday, and it was excellent. I cried through the whole film! Here you can see the movie trailer.
2/8/08: If you liked The Kite Runner, you might also like to read A Thousand Splendid Suns, the second novel by Khaled Hosseini.

Journal Entry 3 by wingSqueakyChuwing from Rockville, Maryland USA on Sunday, January 20, 2008
The book is in the mail to crrcookie in Waldorf, Maryland.

Journal Entry 4 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Thursday, January 24, 2008
This book arrived in Waldorf, Maryland today!

I have heard a lot about this book and I believe that it is going to be (or is already) a movie. Since it gets a lot of hype and is popular I wanted to get it and read it so that I could discuss it with others.

I might not get to this one for a week or so but when I do I will PM the next person in line so that we can keep this book moving right along.

Journal Entry 5 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, February 10, 2008
I finally managed to get through this book. It took me a lot longer than I expected to get through it. The book has some very complex issues presented in it and I know that my comments here will not do it justice.

I was a little bit surprised at the length of time that elapses in the book from 1975 to nearly present day a lot happens in the boy's lifetime as he grows into a man.

I wanted to get to the end of this book to find out how it plays out but I found it a bit tedious at times as we struggled through so many years and a lot of background type stuff as the boy grew into a man. I can see what purpose in the story that some of the events played but I also think that this book could easily be abridged without losing much if any of the end meaning. I think that by the time I got to the end of the book and Amir's return to Afghanistan that I was so tired of the book that I couldn't truly focus ont he author's intent.

I am glad that I read this book so that if I do ever happen to see the movie I will better understand what is going on. And it is always good to have a few popular or Book Club type books read so that you can discuss them with others. However, I don't think that I would make a point of recommending this book to others. It isn't that I didn't like the book, it just doesn't fit into the type of reading that I generally seek out.

I will be passing this along to the next person on the bookring as soon as I can get to the post office. I already have an address for Goddess-of-Fire.

Journal Entry 6 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Sunday, February 10, 2008
I read and released this book as part of the 2008 Keep Them Moving Release Challenge from the Release Challenges forum.


Journal Entry 7 by crrcookie from Tecumseh, Oklahoma USA on Wednesday, February 20, 2008
This book is officially in the hands of the post office now and is slowly sailing via the slow boat of media mail to Goddess-of-Fire in Missouri!

Journal Entry 8 by Goddess-Of-Fire from Springfield, Missouri USA on Saturday, March 8, 2008
Sorry that I haven't journaled this book before now! I guess it actually arrived about a week ago, but rather than putting it in my mailbox, the post office made me go and pick it up. Package pick-up hours and my class schedule don't cooperate well so I'm just now getting a chance to journal it.
I have another book in front of it but I'll get to it as soon as possible.

Journal Entry 9 by Goddess-Of-Fire from Springfield, Missouri USA on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
This was a really good book. I enjoyed the first half better than the second, but I still really enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing the movie.
Thanks for sharing.

Sent off to MarysGirl 4-11-08
Thanks!

Journal Entry 10 by MarysGirl from Brooklyn, New York USA on Friday, April 25, 2008
Arrived while I was out of town. I'm almost done with another book from a ray, then I'll start this one. I'm looking forward to it!

Journal Entry 11 by MarysGirl from Brooklyn, New York USA on Friday, May 23, 2008
Loved this book! I usually have a couple of books going at once, but I put all others aside so I could finish this one. The story was compelling and the characters complicated and interesting. My husband grabbed it before I could put it in the mail and finished it in three days. He normally doesn't read fiction, so this is high praise. We've got the movie from Netflix and look forward to seeing it this weekend.

I've got Guinneth's address and it's all packed and ready to go. I'll put it in the mail today or Tuesday. Also qualifies as my BOOK FOUR in the KEEP THEM MOVING CHALLENGE.


Journal Entry 12 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Friday, May 30, 2008
This arrived safely today. Thank you for sending it along and also for the postcard, MarysGirl! I've been looking forward to reading this for quite some time and will start in on it right away.

Journal Entry 13 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Friday, June 6, 2008
This extremely moving story of friendship, love, betrayal, and redemption will haunt me for a long time, I am sure. I *loved* this book and I now feel that I have something of an understanding of Afghanistan and its people for the first time.

Parts of The Kite Runner were quite difficult to read, and almost more so because the events were relayed in matter-of-fact, unadorned prose. Then, occasionally, a bit of poetry:

"...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."

I felt the length of the story was appropriate (and necessary), showing us how Amir changed as a person after what he had done, and also giving a more complete picture of who Baba was. (As in life, the perspective of childhood is quite different than that of the same child grown into an adult.) I did not think the story lagged at all, at any point, and I very much appreciate the backdrop of the changes wrought in Afghanistan by first the Russians and then the Taliban coming into power there.

Mostly, though, I wept for Hassan and his "life of unrequited loyalty (which drifted) from him like the windblown kites he used to chase." His son broke my heart, also.

Thank you SO much for sharing this book, SqueakyChu. I will most certainly be reading other works by this author. (I am amazed that The Kite Runner is Hosseini's first novel!) I'll be mailing this on to themarina as soon as I have an address. I will also be looking for a copy to add to my permanent collection.

Journal Entry 14 by Guinneth from Manchester, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Mailed to themarina today. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 15 by themarina from Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on Monday, June 30, 2008
Arrived on Friday and I just finished my current read so I'm starting on this one tonight!

Journal Entry 16 by themarina from Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on Friday, September 5, 2008
This came 2 weeks ago and I forgot to mark it as arrived (oops).

I seem to draw away from books once they pick-up a lot of attention but I'm happy I came around to reading this depressing but ultimately uplifting story of friendship and family. I particularly love the ending which is satisfying while avoiding cliches and completely happy endings. A wonderful read.

Thanks for sharing SqueakyChu!

Journal Entry 17 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Received yesterday. Just about to finish a book so can get onto this almost straight away.
Thank You

Journal Entry 18 by spiderchic from Droylsden, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, September 29, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book. Very moving at times. Am glad I finally got round to reading it after all the hype.
Shall pm pussinbooks for their address.
Thank you for sharing

PussInBooks has asked to be skipped so have pm'd bike51man.
No replies yet from bike51man, shall pm next in the list.

Sent out to shimmy-crazy today 13th October.

Journal Entry 19 by Shimmy-crazy from Finchley, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Arrived while I was on holiday, I've got one ahead of it but will get to it ASAP. Thanks to spiderchic and SqueakyChu.

Journal Entry 20 by Shimmy-crazy from Finchley, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, November 10, 2008
I enjoyed this book, very moving.
Posted to bike51man 10/11/08

Journal Entry 21 by bike51man from Horsham, West Sussex United Kingdom on Monday, November 17, 2008
I found this book on the doormat when I got home from holiday today - a good surprise, and thanks to Shimmycrazy for sending it. I have to finish my holiday book, then will start this one.

Journal Entry 22 by bike51man from Horsham, West Sussex United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Well, I never did manage to read past the first couple of chapters of this book. More's the pity, because it had a good start. The reason is that a change of job has left me with almost nil reading time now. So, to keep the book moving I posted it on last week to Anadyomene.
Thanks for sharing the book anyway, Squeakychu.

Journal Entry 23 by zoion from Basel, Basel-Stadt Switzerland on Friday, March 27, 2009
Got it! Thank you for sending.
edit June 24th 2009: Still got it, I am sorry to say. But last week-end I started reading, so hopefully the book will soon be on its way again.
shamefaced edit October 2nd
Well, the novel is on it's way again.
In this case I have made the mistake of seeing the film before I read the book. Thus, I already knew roughly what to exspect. Still, it was tough to read in detail about the suffering in and destruction of Afghanistan. What goes on there truly frightens me.
I liked the ending, because it is sort of bitter-sweet. There is no knowing how the boy will turn out - but there is hope. Thank you for sharing.

Journal Entry 24 by bilbi from Chambéry, Rhône-Alpes France on Friday, October 2, 2009
Received today !

One book to read before starting this one !

Thanks for sharing

\o/

Journal Entry 25 by bilbi from Chambéry, Rhône-Alpes France on Sunday, October 4, 2009
I must say that I was more interested in what was going to happen to Amir in "contemporary" Afghanistan than I was in the story of his childhood...

I found Amir so self-centered when he was a little boy (I know I may sound a bit harsh - but I'm really bad at understanding "racism" in general and between social classes in particular) that I chose to "cut through chapters"...

Nevertheless I do appreciate the book.

You know I'm not good at history and suchthis kind of books is a very good way for me to understand modern political relationships (or lack of them unfortunately...)

Journal Entry 26 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Thursday, October 22, 2009
It is with me now.
Thank you, SqueakyChu and bilbi for sharing and sending this book to me.
I'll try to read it asap.

Journal Entry 27 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Tuesday, October 27, 2009
current reading.

Journal Entry 28 by Maria-Nunes from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Wednesday, November 4, 2009
I think this is a fabulous book! I had heard a lot about this book and I believed it was a good book, but it surprised me in a positive way - much better than I expected, and the expectations were really high...
This is an extremely moving story and I really loved reading it!

Thank You so much for sharing!

I'll send the book to the next reader asap.

Journal Entry 29 by Gwenindil from Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Saturday, November 14, 2009

The book arrived last thursday and I already read two chapters, so... I think that I will not take long to read it.

Obrigado marialeitora pelo envio.

Thanks SqueakyChu for the sharing.

Journal Entry 30 by Gwenindil at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on Friday, December 4, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (12/4/2009 UTC) at Lisboa - City, Lisboa (cidade) Portugal

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

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I didn't like this book as much as all the critics I've heard. Maybe it was my lack of knowledge of the afghan culture, maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of novel.
But tanks any way for the opportunity.

I will send the book today to Tregossip.

Journal Entry 31 by Tregossip from St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Friday, December 18, 2009
Arrived this morning and thanks one and all.
Hopeful of finishing current read over the weekend and then straight into this

I just loved A Thousand Splendid Suns from this author and it's currently on a bookring as I want it back.

I should have read this book first - first half better than the second for me.

Will pm next person to send it on it's way

Journal Entry 32 by Tregossip at St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom on Friday, January 1, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (1/4/2010 UTC) at St. Austell, Cornwall United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On it's way to London

Journal Entry 33 by wingjax987654321wing from Wembley, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, January 17, 2010
received and will read as soon as possible

Journal Entry 34 by wingjax987654321wing from Wembley, Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Part of a book ring. Just started it, so hopefully it will be on its way to the next person soon!

Journal Entry 35 by wingjax987654321wing at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, March 8, 2010

Released 14 yrs ago (3/8/2010 UTC) at Ealing, Greater London United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Many apologies for being very slow to send this out. but I have now sent it airmail, so it will be at its next destination very soon.

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