aledegregfde7

This book is completely devastating and beautiful--but in a very different way than A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I read first, and which I'd give six stars if I could. Like "A Thousand," the writing in "Kite Runner" is beautiful. The freakishly twisted nature of the Taliban is explored brutally here, like it is in "A Thousand." Hosseini paints incredibly real portraits of people, especially children. But the similarities really end there. This book focuses less on Kabul and Afghanistan than "A Thousand" does, though, and more on specific relationships. It has less of an epic feel than "A Thousand." The protagonist is wealthy, and he leaves Kabul during the 80's, so the wars have a profoundly different effect on him than they do on the characters in "A Thousand." This book is also about men and boys, not women. His protagonist is deeply flawed, a real contrast to the women in "A Thousand," who Hosseini painted as suffering heroines. It also has a very painful focus on sexual and physical violence against young children, whereas "A Thousand" explored that violence aimed at teenage girls and women. The violence against young boys is very difficult to read, though it's not glorified in any way. Hosseini's characters are so life-like, so flawed, so full of color and depth. Amir's growth into self-awareness as the story progresses is an incredible thing to witness. Amir's father could have been made so easy to dislike, but Hosseini never makes it that easy. And Hassan, as simply loving as he is, is never simple. I thought Hosseini almost fumbled with his plot line for Assef-- the one truly bad character in "Kite Runner." I expected to see him where he appeared in Amir's adulthood, but somehow it worked without feeling a little too convenient. Hosseini's theme of history following people doesn't end up feeling trite or unbelievable.

2020-08-19 04:18