The Kite Runner
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
10 journalers for this copy...
From Amazon.com:
In his debut novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini accomplishes what very few contemporary novelists are able to do. He manages to provide an educational and eye-opening account of a country's political turmoil--in this case, Afghanistan--while also developing characters whose heartbreaking struggles and emotional triumphs resonate with readers long after the last page has been turned over. And he does this on his first try.
The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...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.")
Some of the plot's turns and twists may be somewhat implausible, but Hosseini has created characters that seem so real that one almost forgets that The Kite Runner is a novel and not a memoir. At a time when Afghanistan has been thrust into the forefront of America's collective consciousness ("people sipping lattes at Starbucks were talking about the battle for Kunduz"), Hosseini offers an honest, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always heartfelt view of a fascinating land. Perhaps the only true flaw in this extraordinary novel is that it ends all too soon.
The characters, the relationships, the personal discoveries -- touched me deeply. Hosseini's writing style is crisp/simple, yet somehow powerful. This story and its characters will stay with me for a long time.
In his debut novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini accomplishes what very few contemporary novelists are able to do. He manages to provide an educational and eye-opening account of a country's political turmoil--in this case, Afghanistan--while also developing characters whose heartbreaking struggles and emotional triumphs resonate with readers long after the last page has been turned over. And he does this on his first try.
The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule. ("...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.")
Some of the plot's turns and twists may be somewhat implausible, but Hosseini has created characters that seem so real that one almost forgets that The Kite Runner is a novel and not a memoir. At a time when Afghanistan has been thrust into the forefront of America's collective consciousness ("people sipping lattes at Starbucks were talking about the battle for Kunduz"), Hosseini offers an honest, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always heartfelt view of a fascinating land. Perhaps the only true flaw in this extraordinary novel is that it ends all too soon.
The characters, the relationships, the personal discoveries -- touched me deeply. Hosseini's writing style is crisp/simple, yet somehow powerful. This story and its characters will stay with me for a long time.
Going out as a bookring, July 5, 2005, to:
Sherria (rec'd 7/7. Sent to maprem 7/14)
maprem (rec'd 7/28)
mamagoggle (mailing to twinkpudding on 8/24)
twinkpuddin (rec'd 9/10. Mailed to Intriqken 9/21.)
Intriqken (rec'd 10/04/05. Mailing to mellion108 on 10/14.)
mellion108 (rec'd 10/29/05. )
jessibud (rec'd 11/18/05. )
esq228
and back to me
10/5/05 -- Note: There was a change in the shipping order. esq228 will now be second to last on the list.
12/2/05: Note: There was an additional change in the shipping order. PaigeTurner124 downloaded the audio version and has asked to be removed from the ring. Jessibud will now send to esq228.
Sherria (rec'd 7/7. Sent to maprem 7/14)
maprem (rec'd 7/28)
mamagoggle (mailing to twinkpudding on 8/24)
twinkpuddin (rec'd 9/10. Mailed to Intriqken 9/21.)
Intriqken (rec'd 10/04/05. Mailing to mellion108 on 10/14.)
mellion108 (rec'd 10/29/05. )
jessibud (rec'd 11/18/05. )
esq228
and back to me
10/5/05 -- Note: There was a change in the shipping order. esq228 will now be second to last on the list.
12/2/05: Note: There was an additional change in the shipping order. PaigeTurner124 downloaded the audio version and has asked to be removed from the ring. Jessibud will now send to esq228.
Wow, this got here fast! I can't wait to read it (though I have one ring ahead of it). Thanks so much for sharing it KimKerry, and for the surprise RABCK included with it as well. What a wonderful thing to come home to at the end of a long day. :)
This is a brilliant book. I already knew the story because I listened to the audiobook (narrated by the author, which made it even better), but I couldn't resist the opportunity to hold the text in my hands and let my eyes roam over the words. I wasn't disappointed.
This book is incredibly powerful. It's full of intense emotions - angst, fear, love, hatred, guilt, sorrow, hope - and the author was able to make me *feel* them right along with the characters. He painted a picture of a country I knew little about, a culture I understood even less, and made them very real for me. I could see the landscape, hear the sing-song voices, feel the different pace of life.
The story itself was heartbreaking at times, and filled me with hope at others. I had trouble putting it down, because I wanted to know what would happen in the characters lives, how their troubles would resolve, how they would come to terms with the things that happened.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story KimKerry. I'll send it on to maprem as soon as I get an address.
**update: received maprem's address and sent this out via media mail on 7/14**
This book is incredibly powerful. It's full of intense emotions - angst, fear, love, hatred, guilt, sorrow, hope - and the author was able to make me *feel* them right along with the characters. He painted a picture of a country I knew little about, a culture I understood even less, and made them very real for me. I could see the landscape, hear the sing-song voices, feel the different pace of life.
The story itself was heartbreaking at times, and filled me with hope at others. I had trouble putting it down, because I wanted to know what would happen in the characters lives, how their troubles would resolve, how they would come to terms with the things that happened.
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story KimKerry. I'll send it on to maprem as soon as I get an address.
**update: received maprem's address and sent this out via media mail on 7/14**
Here it is - waiting in the mail when I got back from a trip. I'm looking forward to reading this.
A "neglect work and family and just keep reading" gripping book. It had less educational/historical background than I expected, and more interesting plot surprises. It was indeed real enough, especially at the beginning, to make me re-check whether it was a memoir or fiction.
Going out in the mail today to mamagoggle.
Going out in the mail today to mamagoggle.
The book arrived today and I look forward to reading it. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this book. I know so little about Afghanistan other than what I hear on the news and the author did a wonderful job introducing me to the sights, language, and customs of the area. The story was heart-breaking at times and stays with you after putting the book down.
It is now on it's way to twinkpuddin.
It is now on it's way to twinkpuddin.
Received in the mail Saturday - got a start on it already.
Finished last nite. I thought that this was a great book and I have to thank KarenZero for suggesting I read it. It was a good look into a culture, land, and history I'm not very familiar with. The plot twists kept me interested, as unlikley as they may have seemed. I found my heart being pulled in many different directions throughout the story. Haha, I even had to recheck if it was a memoir or fiction at the beginning just as maprem had said!
Have Intriqken's address and will drop this into the mailbox tomorrow! Thanks so much to KimKerry for including me!!
Have Intriqken's address and will drop this into the mailbox tomorrow! Thanks so much to KimKerry for including me!!
Out to Intriqken this morning - enjoy!
Just received in the mail today. Will start it this week as soon as I finish my current read. Can't wait...I've heard so many good things about this book.
Very enjoyable read although plot was predictable at times. Still, an excellent writer with warm, likable, believeable characters and warm redeeming ending.
Thanks for the opportunity to join the bookring and read this book. (I loved the custom bookmark that accompanies THE KITE RUNNER through it's travels!)
Highly recommended.
Now, off to mellion108 in Michigan for it's next stop in the ring.
Thanks for the opportunity to join the bookring and read this book. (I loved the custom bookmark that accompanies THE KITE RUNNER through it's travels!)
Highly recommended.
Now, off to mellion108 in Michigan for it's next stop in the ring.
Thanks to Intriqken for sending this my way and another thanks to KimKerry for sharing! The book is here safe and sound. I won't be able to start it for 4-5 days, but I'll try to read it quickly and send it on its way. Can't wait!
Trade paperback, 371 pages
Trade paperback, 371 pages
Wow.
This was quite a bit different than I imagined. I assumed it was a coming-of-age look at growing up in Afghanistan. Yes, it was that, but the story is so much more intense and personal. There were several points in the story when I put the book down and vowed not to pick it up again. Yet, within 10 minutes I was right back to it and polished off the whole thing in a day and a half.
This book definitely goes on my Best of 2005 reading list, and I know I'll recommend it and probably buy a few copies of it as gifts.
Thanks so much for sharing this, KimKerry. I should have this on its way to jessibud by November 12.
This was quite a bit different than I imagined. I assumed it was a coming-of-age look at growing up in Afghanistan. Yes, it was that, but the story is so much more intense and personal. There were several points in the story when I put the book down and vowed not to pick it up again. Yet, within 10 minutes I was right back to it and polished off the whole thing in a day and a half.
This book definitely goes on my Best of 2005 reading list, and I know I'll recommend it and probably buy a few copies of it as gifts.
Thanks so much for sharing this, KimKerry. I should have this on its way to jessibud by November 12.
This book arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I won't be able to get to it until the weekend, at least, but I've been wanting to read this for so long, I may forego other obligations for this!!
Stay tuned
Stay tuned
Oh my goodness. I knew this book was reputed to be a very good read and from reading previous journal notes, I knew it had many twists and turns and a roller coaster of emotions. But I had no idea just how much it would get under my skin, and into my brain.
Close to the end, I had to put it down for awhile; I thought it would be too difficult for me to continue but, as others have said, I couldn't stay away.
Hosseini is a masterful writer and has exquisite insight into the human heart and psyche. And yes, he not only made me ache inside, but he made me chuckle and belly laugh, too!
Thank you so much for including me in this ring and for your patience with my slow reading lately!!
edited, Tuesday, Jan. 3/06 - I mailed this out today, by surface mail so it may take a couple of weeks to actually arrive.
Happy New Year to all!
Close to the end, I had to put it down for awhile; I thought it would be too difficult for me to continue but, as others have said, I couldn't stay away.
Hosseini is a masterful writer and has exquisite insight into the human heart and psyche. And yes, he not only made me ache inside, but he made me chuckle and belly laugh, too!
Thank you so much for including me in this ring and for your patience with my slow reading lately!!
edited, Tuesday, Jan. 3/06 - I mailed this out today, by surface mail so it may take a couple of weeks to actually arrive.
Happy New Year to all!
Received Saturday in NJ. Thanks to all, especially to KimKerry for sharing in the first place.
Very thought provoking, a wonderful story set among not so wonderful of a situation. Unlike many who've read this, I was able to get through the whole thing without having to put it down, but there were a number of scenes that did make me feel rather sick. Overall, I was impressed with Hosseini's skill and storytelling.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this bookring! The book is now home.
The book is now available as a RABCK or trade.
The book is now available as a RABCK or trade.
Sending with 15 other books for Saidenuj's future OBCZ in Marcus, Iowa.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Recv'd today. Thank you so much! This will be marked as reserved until I get my OBCZ up & running.
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I purposefully didn't read a lot of reviews about this book before I had a chance to read it for myself. I'm glad I did it that way! There were *several* places in the story where something so shocking, so unexpected, happened that I literally gasped and had to close the book for a minute or two to regroup. That rarely happens to me, and that's the reason I have rated this book a 10. Being a female caucasian, raised in the Midwest, and living my entire life under the safety of the US government, I didn't have much in common with the characters in this book. But that didn't make me care about them any less. The author's writing was so realistic that I wonder how much of this story may have been based on real life - his or someone else's. Obviously the background setting (war in Afghanistan) is based on historical fact.
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I purposefully didn't read a lot of reviews about this book before I had a chance to read it for myself. I'm glad I did it that way! There were *several* places in the story where something so shocking, so unexpected, happened that I literally gasped and had to close the book for a minute or two to regroup. That rarely happens to me, and that's the reason I have rated this book a 10. Being a female caucasian, raised in the Midwest, and living my entire life under the safety of the US government, I didn't have much in common with the characters in this book. But that didn't make me care about them any less. The author's writing was so realistic that I wonder how much of this story may have been based on real life - his or someone else's. Obviously the background setting (war in Afghanistan) is based on historical fact.
Available at the Miller Family Reunion
Journal Entry 24 by juniebug at Controlled Release in Given To A Friend, Friend -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, June 11, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (6/11/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Given To A Friend, Friend -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES: Released at the Miller Family Reunion.
