Rating: 
Summary: IT KNOCKED ME OUT
Review:
THE KITE RUNNER was not my "typical" type of read (often going for the light hearted sappy fiction to escape reality), but this book came highly recommended. It was one of those books that you could not put down and when you were done you wanted more! It is fiction based on fact and it was such a believable story that it felt more like fact than fiction. I learned so much about a culture that I knew nothing about (and had made assumptions regarding) and was fascinated from the moment I started reading. Not only do you feel like you are learning about a different culture, way of life, etc. you get involved with all the characters and I actually could feel what they were feeling as it was described. This was by far, the best book I have read so far apart from THE LOSERS CLUB by Richard Perez, another Amazon pick. If I were stranded on a dessert island and could only take two books with me, THE KITE RUNNER and THE LOSERS' CLUB would be it.
Rating:
Summary: If you have read this book, reconsider it.
Review: You could come across my previous review about "The kite runner" and of course it maybe quite puzzling why I am doing it again now. Well, I confess there happened a thing that is so likely to happen with me - I mean, I have just come to realisation of how important this book is. My former opinion was made under the emotions that followed after finishing this nowel, but now, I guess, I can see it in a completely new light. You see, I am not the one who judges book for the manner in which it is written, for I think it does not really matter at all - different people understand it in different ways, so it is not the thing to argue about. As a great lover of literature I can say without a doubt that the main goal of writer is to show us some complicated problems which are defficult to be solved. Difficult, but anyway, they are to be solved, there is only a matter of finding the right way to solution. So we have problems in this novel, connected with Amir and Hussan - boys, who represent different ways of living and thinking. Their friendship seems to be an unreal one but situation proves this only later. It is like an oxymoron - like a jumbo shrimp or military intelligence - but this friendship exists anyway. Amir betrayes Hussan - it is very predictable, you may say, although I find it a realy serious tragedy which is not even to be talked about. Who wants such a tragedy in their lives? - Nobody, I guess, so why should we judge it as a predictable one? I have read many reviews and in a great part of them it is written that characters are tipical and that there is nothing realy new in this book. And what do you think I felt after gaining thoughts of others - I felt like we do not realy deserve for something new if we can not understand what is already written or told. I dont realy like those reviewers who judge this book as a good or a bad one - it is not the way that will lead us to realisation of deep thoughts contained in this great novel. Yes, our first opinions are very important but we should not forget about the imprint which is left by this book in the sands of times. It is realy unique one, and we must be proud of the fact that we are capable of taking part in doing this imprint, becouse it depends on those who follow it. What a good book is? It is simply a summary of thoughts and opinions about it, and of course there are those who think well of it and those who do not support it at all. I am realy happy there I do not belond to former ones. And I recommend you - dont listen to those who judge this book sceptically, buy it yourself and just read it without any consederations about some one else's minds!
Rating:
Summary: Blew Me Away!
Review: Honestly I cannot say enough about this book. You must read it! The descriptions are vivid and the tale is both heartbreaking and full of hope. It is an absolute page turner!
Rating:
Summary: Humanizing Afghanistan
Review: I enjoyed the history and storyline of this book. I believe the writer did an excellent job of telling a story without making political statements and rather allowing each reader to draw his or her own conclusion over the war in Afghanistan.
His story puts a human face on tragedy and some of the images in the book are haunting. It is a literary piece that will challenge your preconceived notions of a Muslim nation.
The book is fast paced and the writing is crisp and descriptive. The book is thought provoking, compassionate and introspective of the deepest corners of our hearts and minds as human beings.
Rating: 
Summary: What took me so long?
Review: I had The Kite Runner in my hands at the book store and library more times than I would like to admit and some how it never made it home until a few weeks ago. I really had a feeling that the story would be hard to follow because it was about the Taliban and Afghanistan but I was wrong. Granted, there were a few words and phrases that I did not get but the story was certainly easy enough to follow. I found parts of the book to be a bit choppy and wordy but over all a very good read.
I am not going to give another recap of the story because there are certainly enough reveiws of The Kite Runner here but I will say that I am very glad that I finally read this book and if you are having doubts about it, give it a try. You just might be surprised.
Rating:
Summary: Wow, Could not put it down
Review: I had this book laying around for awhile and maybe because I'am more inclined to read suspense thrilllers and I thought "Afganistan, how interesting can this be?" I put off reading it for afew months.Once I began readng it I could not stop, its one of those books that never leave your side till your done reading it.Its a haunting story of redemption and has one of the most interesting sympathic characters of all times in a book (Hassan).This book you will never forget and will stay on your minds for a long time.
KHALED HOSSEINI... A THOUSAND TIMES FOR YOU.BRAVO
Rating:
Summary: One of my all time favorites!
Review: I won't go on and on about what this book is about, but I will say that it I just finished it and I loved it and had to add my review to the others here. If this sounds like something you are interested in, I very highly recommend this book. In the back of the paperback version I read, it says that author Khaled Hosseini's next book is due next summer. I can't wait for it.
Rating: 
Summary: What a DOWNER
Review: In a good mood?? Hate that feeling?? Then read this book by all means. (POSSIBLE SPOILER)
I'm not sure what the other reviews mean by "a story of redemption" The main character is a back-stabber who, although supposedly haunted by his past decisions, keeps making more! He is interested in helping no one more than himself. I don't see where he ever succeeds on his own at anything. Living in Afghanistan in relative opulence?- thanks Dad! Leaving it?- thanks Dad! Getting his life saved?- thanks, Kid! Working out the adoption?-thanks relative in the INS! Oh yeah, he did succeed on his own at one thing- he turned that kid into a mute.
Although well written and a quick read, I can't recommend this to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting. Fascinating. Powerful.
Review: In a word or two, this book is riveting, fascinating, powerful. An avid reader, I found this to be the best book that I have read in recent memory. It more than lived up to all the accolades that heralded its US debut. Khaled Hosseini could not have written a more apropos novel than The Kite Runner, a story that is set against the backdrop of the recent historical events and subsequent political upheaval of Afghanistan. And while this story does cover much of the political turbulence that disrupted and destroyed the lives of so many Afghani people, this is a story, which because of its of theme friendship, betrayal and ultimate redemption, will eventually transcend time and place. The author presents the reader with a serene, picturesque description of pre-war Afghanistan before the fall of the monarchy and the 1979 Soviet invasion. Hosseini, who portrays Afghans as a generous, gregarious people in a land where perhaps the only things more cherished than custom and tradition is loyalty and honor, has given a face to his country that until the events of September 11, 2001, have remained virtually unnoticed by the rest of the world. The deeply held mores and customs of the Afghan people that Hosseini so skillfully, yet simplistically weaves into his story also serves to enlighten the reader about Afghanistan. Finally, it is the storyline itself that is truly memorable. The Kite Runner is ultimately a tale of friendship, betrayal and redemption - about how one person finally atones for the sins of his past. Filled with bouts of harrowing action and blissful calm, the novel verily elicits the entire spectrum of human emotions. Hosseini makes his characters quite real, very human, keeping them true to themselves, their personalities, although it is the protagonist, the primary narrator, whose character flaw is at the heart of this novel. Finally, I must admit that some parts of the story were predictable, but it does nothing to lessen the terrific tale told by Hosseini. The Kite Runner is a beautifully written story that will stay the reader long after many other stories have been read and forgotten.
Rating:
Summary: An Exquisitely Written Novel With An Extraordinary Plot
Review: Khaled Hosseini's powerful and haunting first novel, "The Kite Runner" is the best book I have read this year. It is a story of family relationships, friendship, betrayal, guilt and atonement. Mr. Hosseini also explores, movingly, the horrors of war and the terrible conflicts between classes and ethnic groups that have long plagued the people of Afghanistan. The novel spans the period in Afghani history from the peaceful 70's to the rule of the Taliban in the late 1990's. In Kabul, during the winter of 1975, Amir's life changed forever. Those were the last peaceful days of Afghanistan's monarchy. Amir, our young narrator, is the privileged son of a wealthy Pashtun businessman. They are Sunni Muslims. Totally unlike his father, (called Baba, the "Toophan agha" or "Mr. Hurricane"), Amir is very sensitive, introspective, and much more interested in poetry and literature than in football. His mother died giving birth to him and the boy struggles to win his father's affection. Hassan was the closest person to Amir and his constant playmate, but they were not quite friends. The two boys had nursed at the breast of the same wet nurse - a special bond to the Afghanis. They were virtually inseparable. They climbed trees, wandered the streets of Kabul, made mischief, shared secrets, ran kites, and Amir would read while Hassan listened avidly to the wonderful stories. "The Shahnamah," a 10th century epic of ancient Persian heroes, was Hassan's favorite. He was an illiterate servant and his father was Amir's father's servant. They are Sh'ia Muslim, Hazaras. During a kite flying tournament in the winter of Amir's twelfth year, he betrayed Hassan - a defining event that will haunt him always. He will spend the rest of his life trying to atone. The Soviet invasion caused Amir and his father to emigrate to the United States, leaving everything and everyone behind. However, Amir will have another opportunity to prove his loyalty to his childhood friend and gain forgiveness. The story revolves around Amir's internal struggle. Mr. Hosseini's characters literally come alive on the page. Their emotional struggles and triumphs moved me deeply. Amir, Hassan, Baba, Ali, and Rahim Khan are so credible that I really became attached to them and miss them, now that I have turned the book's last page. The narrative is beautifully written, poignant, and also very informative about an Afghanistan most foreigners have never seen. Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan émigré living in San Francisco. I look forward to his next book. Very highly recommended.
JANA
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