Comments on: Khaled Hosseini: The Kite Runner

By: Stewart

Stewart — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:56:07 +0000

I’m not fussy, Jackie. Good writing, good story, but writing always comes first. If the writing isn’t ‘good’, then it’s going to affect judgement on the book as a whole. Good writing doesn’t have to mean poetic observations and verbal strainings, but that it does the job it sets out to do and does so in an engaging way without compromising the believability and ideas that the author is playing with.

As for Marilynne Robinson’s Home, no. I read Gilead a few years back and did not like the book one bit and, seeing it’s connected in some way with Gilead has initially put me off ever wanting to read it. I recently picked up Housekeeping though.

By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:43:43 +0000

I’ve just read a few of your reviews and it looks as though we have polarised views on books!

I loved The Kite Runner. I can see from your reviews that you favour great writing over a good story. I love it when books are able to combine both, but I read to be entertained, and love anything with a good plot.

Have you read Home by Marilynn Robinson? I think you’d love it!

By: Rebecca Reid

Rebecca Reid — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:32:24 +0000

I think you perfectly capture why I couldn’t finish this book. Of course my first problem was listening to the audio, narrated by the author which is sometimes not a a good idea. But I so hated Amir that after his betrayal I couldn’t stand listening any more. I think it was the lack of emotion that you describe — there was nothing other than the story to capture my interest. And I didn’t like the story.

By: Stewart

Stewart — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:34:13 +0000

You’re welcome, Claire. When I read this book (back in 2005, despite the date here) I had no idea what to expect. I think it may have been the book that finally made me cynical toward hype (even if still a mug for it!) and, being so bad, left me without the need to ever read Hosseini again. I’m not surprised that it has done so well, as it ticks all the shallow sentimental boxes (here’s another example) but I don’t really trust it as a decent example of Afghan literature like, say, Atiq Rahimi’s Earth And Ashes was.

By: claire

claire — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:34:55 +0000

I’m glad I stumbled upon your review. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns first and was completely underwhelmed. I thought the whole novel was cliched and formulaic, the characters unreal. Although it did make for smooth pop reading. Anyway, I often wondered if it was just not as good as The Kite Runner, and have been going over in my mind whether I should read this or not. Apparently, both books share the same qualities, so it would be best if I didn’t read this one. I’ve never found a negative review of this before, so although I’m sure it isn’t that awful, I’m also pretty sure now that it isn’t something I’m going to truly love either. Thanks!

By: Stewart

Stewart — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:47:41 +0000

I can’t vouch for it’s quality, but an online acquaintance recently done this challenge and did Andorra by Michèle Gazier for Andorra. I don’t know whether it’s a short story or an essay, but apparently it comes from a volume called Views from the Bridge of Europe - probably an essay - although I have no idea as to its availability.

Here full list can be viewed here.

By: Ceinwenn

Ceinwenn — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:22:53 +0000

Hi Stewart, thanks for the lovely comment on my blog.I’m loving my challenge, though you may have noticed that I am stuck at country # 4 - Andorra. Any suggestions on books (in English) written by an Andorran author? Most people think I should read a book about Andorra, but that’s not really what I want to do. I’d love any suggestions you might have!

By: chartroose

chartroose — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:21:51 +0000

Hi Stewart–
Uh-oh, my take on “The Kite Runner” is totally different from yours. I think it’s a great story, not a great novel. It must be looked at in context and examined as a basic tale of betrayal and redemption aka a modern morality play. Its simplicity is what makes it so appealing to so many, including myself. I did find the writing to be stilted and just plain juvenile in places, but that added to the appeal as well. The narrator was speaking of events that happened when he was a child so the narrative should not be on a par with someone like Hemingway. Sometimes it’s refreshing to read something that you can whiz through and feel a connection to without having to analyze it to death.

I read in a recent issue of National Geographic that the Hazara are really starting to build better lives for themselves and their communities. Pretty cool! Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2008-02/afghanistan-hazara

By: Stewart

Stewart — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:18:42 +0000

I’d be angry if I had to read it again. I don’t quite think I’d stoop to crying. To be honest, I don’t get what’s to cry at in this book. People who say that would no doubt blub over a Mitch Albom or any other sentimental for the sake of it crap.

By: The Kite Runner Cliff Notes

The Kite Runner Cliff Notes — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:54:54 +0000

“The Kite Runner” an awesome book, great attention to details. Every single page made me cry, laugh, warmed up my heart with love, and made me angry… I cried non-stop throughout the book.