I found 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' an excellent read, so I had high hopes for 'The Kite Runner'.
I was very dissappointed. I found this book predictable to the point of annoying and trite to the point of boring.

At least Hosseini improved by the time of his second book.

Caught at the meet up. Have heard differing reviews, so keen to see if I like it or not.

I quite liked this book. Although there were times when I knew what was about to happen I didn't find it all predicatable. I also thought it was more realistic that certain people died, rather than having a Hollywood happy ever after ending. I'd like to read his second novel now to see how it compares to this, especially as McGeerts rates it more highly.
Will probably offer at the next meet up.

Caught at meetup, thank you

This isn't a bad book, but maybe it's trying a little too hard to be profound? I don't know. When it got to the split lip bit towards the end my eyeballs started rolling at the heavy-handed use of symbolism. Sometimes it felt like parts of the text had flashing warnings above them: "HAVE YOU SPOTTED THE THEME HERE?", "CAN YOU SEE HOW HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF?", and "PAY ATTENTION _ THIS BIT IS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE".

Saying that, the central dilemma of the novel is interesting. At times I lost sympathy for the main character but it came back as the novel moved forward. That was possibly a deliberate ploy by the author. I agree with Bookfrogster that the ending was good.

Maybe I would be nicer to this book if I hadn't heard so much fuss about it in the media beforehand. Nothing makes you feel superior like kicking an international bestseller in the nuts :-)

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent as part of summer gift giving

And surprise me you did!! Thanks so much LittleSuz! You've been very busy with your Summer Gift-Giving ;-)

I was looking forward to reading this book already, but now am doubly so after reading your review of it!!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is going into the Top 100 Wish List bookbox.

Received this book in Top 100 book box. This book will continue its travels.