I recently finished "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Husseini

[lord of the mark]

anyone else read this book?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, tell us... do you think it's any good?

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Well, tell us... do you think it's any good?

I think its excellent, I couldnt put it down, it was very moving.

I think the ending is a little weak, but then Im a Westerner with a taste for a conclusive ending, and Husseini makes the case within the novel that Afghan culture isnt like that, things go on. I cant say more without spoiling it.

The characters are well fleshed out, the settings good, etc. Some of the events portrayed are NOT for the weak of stomach, I would add.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Husseini makes the case within the novel that Afghan culture isnt like that, things go on.

I enjoy endings like that... but I guess more in movies.

And thanks for avoiding spoilers, but that's what I basically wanted to know, so if you want spoil now, spoil away!

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Husseini makes the case within the novel that Afghan culture isnt like that, things go on.

I enjoy endings like that... but I guess more in movies.

And thanks for avoiding spoilers, but that's what I basically wanted to know, so if you want spoil now, spoil away!

Some of it may be a tad more familiar to you, even Americanized as you are (the narrator's father is a firm secularist, so I dont need to add "and secular as you are") and despite difference between Afghan and Pakistani culture (I assume you have no Pashtun background) Theres generally a broad south/southwest asian feel - it strongly conveys the split Persian/South Asian aspects of Afghan culture, the Farsi high culture and the Hindi movies, as well as the westernization present under the old monarchy.

Theres also an extensive picture of the life of Afghan immigrants in Northern Cal, which wasnt as exotic to me, but was interesting.

[Apocalypse]

I heard about the filming of the movie. Apparently they got kids to play characters without knowing the story. Now these kids are fearing for their lives.

[Ramo]

I recently got it, it's on my (very large) to-read list. I'm currently reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns," which is vaguely like an Afghan "Midnight's Children" (but without the magical realism, and not up to Rushdie's writing ability). It's good, but really depressing.

[LordShiva]

I read it last year. Great book

I suggested it to whoever started that thread for book suggestions a few weeks ago.

[Japher]

I started reading it, but I thought the writing was sub-par for my snobbish standards and didn't make it past page 30.

Honestly, I really didn't like the style of writing. My mom suggested it to me because she really liked it.