Need Advice re: Kite Runner - Page 2

thinkpad · 07-31-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanghaichica

I think I will go and buy it now as it seems to have good reviews. I hope it will be as good as a thousand splendid suns.

I don't think you will be disappointed, it's a good book and if you liked A Thousand Splendid Suns you will most likely enjoy reading The Kite Runner.

envy · 07-31-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

Anybody read this one? A good friend recommended it. Would appreciate some feedback.

Author is Khaled Hosseini

I read it for a college class. its a really good book. There were several parts that made me sad and cry. Overall its a learning experience.

The film was released a couple month after my class read it.

The book had friendship, love and betrayal of someone you thought you could trust. Some of the secrets that were revealed was surprising.

beppe · 08-01-2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

IMO, the writing is crap and does not justify having to bear the brutal story. BUT it seems I'm in a minority, so you should probably ignore me

There is absolutely no subtlety in the writing, nothing is left to the imagination, nothing is suggested, even the obvious is painstakingly laid out. I cannot stand that kind of writing, but most people don't seem to mind. If you're like me, don't bother with this book, otherwise just ignore this post.

Its the first time that I agree with you 100%

vxf · 08-01-2010, 09:15 AM

I think it's a fantastic book - an absolute must-read.

I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns as well, but it didn't quit soar to the same level.

Yes, the story is brutal, at times - this is not cheerful reading. But the book is well worth the read nevertheless. The writing is superb, and the author does a wonderful job at leading the reader towards understanding the settings, the mindset, the historical events.

I wouldn't recommend it to a kid, due to the sometimes disturbing themes, but nothing in there is the gory-sadistic brutality of a splatter movie/book. The violence, in this novel, has its place in the narrative.

Frankly, the more I think about it, the more I find it disturbing that a book of this level is being discounted or even criticized for one brutal scene. Are we entering a new phase of reader-driven-censorship? Do we want writers to tell us just fairy tales, to convince us that growing up in a war-torn country was all smiles and hugs?

bjones6416 · 08-01-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxf

Frankly, the more I think about it, the more I find it disturbing that a book of this level is being discounted or even criticized for one brutal scene. Are we entering a new phase of reader-driven-censorship? Do we want writers to tell us just fairy tales, to convince us that growing up in a war-torn country was all smiles and hugs?

What exactly is reader-driven censorship? If it is the choice to read anything I want, and to comment on anything I choose with being thrown in jail or something, then, yes, I guess that's what this is.

I just don't choose at this particular stage in my life to read the gritty descriptive literature -- I'm all about escape these days. But I don't think giving an opinion or a criticism about a book is actually censorship, unless my opinion makes the book unavailable in some way for someone else to read. (And I'm pretty sure my opinion isn't worth that much to anybody!

)

vxf · 08-01-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

What exactly is reader-driven censorship? If it is the choice to read anything I want, and to comment on anything I choose with being thrown in jail or something, then, yes, I guess that's what this is.

I just don't choose at this particular stage in my life to read the gritty descriptive literature -- I'm all about escape these days. But I don't think giving an opinion or a criticism about a book is actually censorship, unless my opinion makes the book unavailable in some way for someone else to read. (And I'm pretty sure my opinion isn't worth that much to anybody!

)

I have to admit I did not think the issue through - the above are more 'musings' than complete thoughts.
But something bothers me about this book being identified, and defined, as a book about 'violence' and a 'brutal rape'. Yes, that's in there - but it's such a small portion of it.

Somehow, it reminds me of all those schools that have been banning Ann Frank's diary because of its sexual content. Yet, I do realize the comparison is a bit unfair - those were some bigots looking for a pretext not to have their children read about nazi crimes...

Yet... something about people being discouraged from reading this book because of the violence in it - a couple of pages only - seems wrong.

But far from me wanting to discourage feedback and open discussion. If it bothers some, it might bother others - so it's right for people to know what to expect. Yet, they should also know this is not 'American Psycho'.

lila55 · 08-01-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vxf

But something bothers me about this book being identified, and defined, as a book about 'violence' and a 'brutal rape'. Yes, that's in there - but it's such a small portion of it.

Considering what I read via others sources about the ongoings of day-to-day life in Afghanistan and what people there have to deal with, I think there is remarkably little violence and brutality in the book. The reality is by far more brutal and violent, and yet the people have to live it. I think whatever unpleasant things happen and are described in the book are necessary to give the reader a feel of that.

shanghaichica · 08-04-2010, 06:18 AM

I bought the book and finished it last night. Although it was very sad it was a very good read and I'm glad I read it. I know books are almost always better than the film, but in this case I think this really is the case. The book allows the reader to really understand some of the key relationships which the movie couldn't quite do. The film was also very simplistic in places and glossed over things which needed more attention, which was given in the book.

ProfCrash · 08-04-2010, 03:03 PM

It is hard to say that I enjoyed this book because it is brutal and pretty depressing but I thought it was well written and I am glad that I read it. I doubt that I will ever see the film.

MickeyC · 09-25-2010, 09:15 AM

I finally got around to reading this and thought it was excellent. And it gives you a great insight into Afghanistan. It was brutal and sad in places but very well written and I am glad I made it through.

Thanks all for the advice.

lila55 · 09-25-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

I finally got around to reading this and thought it was excellent. And it gives you a great insight into Afghanistan. It was brutal and sad in places but very well written and I am glad I made it through.

Thanks all for the advice.

I am glad you enjoyed the book

dfigueroa · 10-06-2010, 11:15 AM

I read it about a year or so ago, thought it was magnificent. I've seen a lot of negative reviews of it, don't quite know why.

I read it as part of the Amazon Vine program before it came out. I know I gave it 5 stars, but the review is so buried, it would take me a while to find it.

Is it brutal in parts? Yup. But it's not gratuitous.

Maker · 10-06-2010, 11:40 AM

I loved both Kite Runner and a Thousand Splendid Suns. Yes, they were brutal in certain places but I think the author was trying to communicate something to Western readers about how life can be for some of the people who live in Afghanistan. I highly recommend both.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to all this and I need some advice	S-F	PDF	7	03-18-2010 09:27 AM
Help, I need some advice	usagi_chan	Which one should I buy?	2	08-19-2009 01:23 PM
Advice !!!	Lector	Upload Help	1	02-22-2008 08:42 AM
Looking For Advice	Thevor	Which one should I buy?	2	02-18-2008 11:41 PM

08-01-2010, 09:15 AM	#19
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	I think it's a fantastic book - an absolute must-read. I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns as well, but it didn't quit soar to the same level. Yes, the story is brutal, at times - this is not cheerful reading. But the book is well worth the read nevertheless. The writing is superb, and the author does a wonderful job at leading the reader towards understanding the settings, the mindset, the historical events. I wouldn't recommend it to a kid, due to the sometimes disturbing themes, but nothing in there is the gory-sadistic brutality of a splatter movie/book. The violence, in this novel, has its place in the narrative. Frankly, the more I think about it, the more I find it disturbing that a book of this level is being discounted or even criticized for one brutal scene. Are we entering a new phase of reader-driven-censorship? Do we want writers to tell us just fairy tales, to convince us that growing up in a war-torn country was all smiles and hugs?

08-04-2010, 06:18 AM	#23
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 987 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11, iPhone 13 Pro Max,iPad mini 6, PW5	I bought the book and finished it last night. Although it was very sad it was a very good read and I'm glad I read it. I know books are almost always better than the film, but in this case I think this really is the case. The book allows the reader to really understand some of the key relationships which the movie couldn't quite do. The film was also very simplistic in places and glossed over things which needed more attention, which was given in the book.

08-04-2010, 03:03 PM	#24
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	It is hard to say that I enjoyed this book because it is brutal and pretty depressing but I thought it was well written and I am glad that I read it. I doubt that I will ever see the film.

09-25-2010, 09:15 AM	#25
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	I finally got around to reading this and thought it was excellent. And it gives you a great insight into Afghanistan. It was brutal and sad in places but very well written and I am glad I made it through. Thanks all for the advice.

10-06-2010, 11:15 AM	#27
dfigueroa La Guera en Manzanillo Posts: 33 Karma: 50 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico Device: Kindle 2 Global	I read it about a year or so ago, thought it was magnificent. I've seen a lot of negative reviews of it, don't quite know why. I read it as part of the Amazon Vine program before it came out. I know I gave it 5 stars, but the review is so buried, it would take me a while to find it. Is it brutal in parts? Yup. But it's not gratuitous.

10-06-2010, 11:40 AM	#28
Maker Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: none	I loved both Kite Runner and a Thousand Splendid Suns. Yes, they were brutal in certain places but I think the author was trying to communicate something to Western readers about how life can be for some of the people who live in Afghanistan. I highly recommend both.