07-31-2010, 01:14 PM | #16 |
David
Posts: 1,808
Karma: 8916183
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norway
Device: Kindle, E.Edge (sold), Irex Iliad (retired)
|
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.
|
07-31-2010, 10:25 PM | #17 | |
Brown Eyed Girl
Posts: 44
Karma: 186
Join Date: Dec 2009
Device: Sony Prs 600, Nook, Sony prs 350
|
Quote:
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. Last edited by envy; 07-31-2010 at 10:30 PM. |
|
08-01-2010, 03:32 AM | #18 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,161
Karma: 81026524
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Device: Kindle3, Ipod4, IPad2
|
Quote:
Last edited by beppe; 08-01-2010 at 03:34 AM. |
|
08-01-2010, 09:15 AM | #19 |
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? |
08-01-2010, 09:31 AM | #20 | |
↓↓ Skirt!! Earrings!!
Posts: 3,394
Karma: 17432172
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Georgia, USA
Device: Acer netbook, JetBook Lite, Sony PRS-300, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire
|
Quote:
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! ) |
|
08-01-2010, 11:05 AM | #21 | |
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
|
Quote:
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'. |
|
08-01-2010, 11:37 AM | #22 |
Fanatic
Posts: 595
Karma: 456534
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Device: PocketBook 360° , iPhone 5, PRS-650, Sony PRS-T2, Sony PRS-T3, Tolino
|
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.
|
08-04-2010, 06:18 AM | #23 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
09-25-2010, 11:14 AM | #26 |
Fanatic
Posts: 595
Karma: 456534
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Device: PocketBook 360° , iPhone 5, PRS-650, Sony PRS-T2, Sony PRS-T3, Tolino
|
|
10-06-2010, 11:15 AM | #27 |
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 |
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.
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New to all this and I need some advice | S-F | 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 |