Book Review: The Kite Runner

Wow. I just finished this book today and my mind is filled with its images and all these mixed emotions.

It took me a long time to read, unlike Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Splendid Suns pulled me in and held me because I felt compassion for the main characters. Kite Runner's main character evoked equally strong emotions in me, only those feelings were disgust and dislike. I had trouble getting past his betrayal of his best friend. Once I finally dug into the book again, I was caught up and eventually satisfied by the redemption portrayed.

Don't expect a feel-good read, but do expect the situations to be resolved and rectified in the best possible ways. This book is full of ironies, which I loved; the original sins become shadows of the redemptions. The last page will leave you smiling, even if it is in a bittersweet way.

Overall, a great, very emotional read and I highly recommend it.

Addition to original post: I also wanted to add that one thing I really appreciate about Khaled Hosseini's books is the lack of graphic sex. It seems that in most best-selling books these days there is the compulsory graphically-depicted sex scene- just as in movies Hollywood is always churning out- but that is absent in his books. Yes, there are "sex scenes", but only those that relate directly to the story and they are restrained. Personally, I think it is not only morally appropriate to treat the sexual behavior of characters in this way, but far more artistic. It takes more talent to describe sex indirectly than directly. Bravo to Dr Hosseini!

~Reese