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Summary
Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable and beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara -- a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.
Instead of reading this beautifully written and poignant story, I'm relieved that I opted to listen to it. The author's narration, although unrefined and with a hint of accent in his English, added an extra layer of authenticity to this first-person narrative, capturing the protagonist's painful journey of self-discovery in a truly remarkable way.
I initially overlooked this book due to its war backdrop, thinking it would be too intense and gloomy. But I'm thrilled that I eventually decided to give it a shot. It's a captivating read that leaves you pondering long after you've finished it. Few books have had me dreading the approaching conclusion because I wanted to savor more of its brilliantly written prose and profound storytelling. Fortunately, I discovered that A Thousand Splendid Suns was also available and equally remarkable! Both of these books will undoubtedly remain in my top 5 for years to come. Don't hesitate, just grab a copy and immerse yourself in this compelling story.
I had two reasons for being intrigued by this audiobook. Firstly, like many others, I was curious to gain insight into Afghani culture, especially given recent events. Secondly, being from Fremont, it had a local interest aspect for me.
Initially, I had no preconceived notions about the plot and was open to experiencing the autobiographical nature of the story.
However, my perception of the author took a negative turn when I discovered that he lacked integrity and courage, coming across as weak-willed and self-indulgent. He consistently disappointed me and only attempted to make amends in the latter parts of the book. Although he performed some good deeds, they felt tainted by his inherent selfishness.
Moreover, the writing itself was rather average, which made it difficult to appreciate the author's true character, as the book failed to offer an enjoyable experience.
While the ending of this story may be somewhat foreseeable, it ultimately remains a truly captivating narrative. The reader's performance truly does justice to the beauty and emotional depth of the tale.
I absolutely loved The Kite Runner! It's such an incredible and emotional story. This debut novel really delves into the complexities of human relationships, loyalty, betrayal, and the power of redemption. Listening to the audiobook enhanced the experience even more. The author's narration is absolutely captivating, and I loved how he seamlessly incorporated Afghan names and phrases in his native language. This is hands down one of the best novels I've ever come across!
I gave it my all, seriously, I don't easily give up on audiobooks, especially since I only get one credit per month, and they're precious to me. Are the last few chapters in any way impactful or mind-blowing enough to make enduring the whole thing worthwhile? The narrator is alright, but the story itself is just so uninteresting that I couldn't connect with it. I have a whopping 80+ books in my library now (okay, I may have splurged on more than just that one monthly credit), so I'm not expecting to be blown away every time, but at least give me something I'll want to keep coming back to. I'm sorry to all the fans who think this book is amazing, but I just don't understand the hype.
I'm halfway through the book, but I figured I'd share my thoughts anyway.
"The Kite Runner" is a book that's been generating a lot of buzz in book clubs, and for good reason. Regardless of its objective "quality," I highly recommend it as a must-read. While it may not change your life, it won't disappoint you either, and it's sure to spark interesting conversations. Plus, you can count on many people having read it. As for the audiobook version, I have to disagree with the critics who say the author doesn't do a good job with the reading. Personally, I found his performance to be nearly perfect - skillful and engaging.
I agree that "The Kite Runner" is a good read, but I wouldn't consider it literature. If this story were set in the United States, the emotional moments and narrative tricks would be more obvious. The characters, except for the first-person narrator-protagonist (who I'll get back to), can sometimes feel one-dimensional and overly simplistic. However, the plot is captivating, and many of the characters are interesting and relatable. I always find it helpful to listen to books being read aloud to truly gauge the quality of the writing. For instance, "Life of Pi" stands out as exceptionally well-written in my mind. In "The Kite Runner," the writing is generally good, often quite good, and only occasionally weak or cliché. It could have benefited from some extra editing, but overall, the writing is strong enough to carry the story well. The narrative flows smoothly and rarely loses momentum.
Now let's talk about the narrator. This, in my opinion, is one of the book's strongest aspects. I'm not a big fan of modern novels with unsympathetic or unlikable protagonists. So far, the narrator in "The Kite Runner" comes across as off-putting, weak, and whiny, yet he manages to hold my interest. In contrast to the other characters, the narrator is complex, multi-dimensional, and feels like a fully fleshed-out human being. The events of the novel, as seen through his perspective, provide significant depth to the story. This is a testament to the author's strong and brave writing. They deserve recognition for this.
In conclusion, "The Kite Runner" is a highly enjoyable listen!
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