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A review by keysmashhh
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Plot: 4/5
Character: 3.5/5
Relationships: 4/5
World-Building: 4.5/5
Genre: 5/5
Plot: The way that time flowed in this book was really interesting, there was a clear divide into four sections, Kabul, America, Kabul, America and I really liked this - the sort of cyclical nature that the story invited made me deeply emotional because not only was Hassan such a big part of Amir's life but Hassan's son was too. I have to say the plot was genuinely exciting, it wasn't just info-dumping/exposition - there was genuine drama and the writing style made even a kite tournament really intense.
Character: Amir was a really interesting MC - he wasn't good, he wasn't evil he was just a child (in the first section) and a lost adult in the second. I really liked his POV and I felt very genuinely connected to him and felt I could trust his narrative. Hassan was my favourite character, of course, I have a tendency to love the morally good characters above all else, he just presented such childhood freedom in his character. I also appreciated the "supporting cast" of characters, the way this book was written really leant itself well to having a large group of characters (also adding to the authenticity)
Relationships: Amir and Hassan's relationship dominated the book, it was fascinating to read about and really was the emotional centerpoint of the book. Hassan's pain really hurt Amir and therefore as a reader it was really hard to read about, and the way their relationship fractured. Other interesting relationships were also explored, Amir and his father, Amir and his wife and Amir and Hassan's son - I genuinly didn't find any interaction between two characters boring or useless to read about.
World-Building: As someone who has never been further than the M25 it feels like, the world of Kabul was really interesting to read about. The sensory language really immersed a reader in the world. It was really interesting to see the extreme contrast between the Kabul of Amir's childhood and the Taliban-controlled Kabul.
Genre: I love historical fiction and this book is the perfect example. It feels autobiographical, whilst Amir isn't real, his experiences are and they read as fact. It is believable and understandable and that gives the book great power. The style of writing Khaled Hosseini uses makes this book really acessable whilst still allowing the indulgences of sensory description. I have allready read A Thousand Splendid Suns and I have just picked up a copy of And The Mountains Echoed.
Character: 3.5/5
Relationships: 4/5
World-Building: 4.5/5
Genre: 5/5
Plot: The way that time flowed in this book was really interesting, there was a clear divide into four sections, Kabul, America, Kabul, America and I really liked this - the sort of cyclical nature that the story invited made me deeply emotional because not only was Hassan such a big part of Amir's life but Hassan's son was too. I have to say the plot was genuinely exciting, it wasn't just info-dumping/exposition - there was genuine drama and the writing style made even a kite tournament really intense.
Character: Amir was a really interesting MC - he wasn't good, he wasn't evil he was just a child (in the first section) and a lost adult in the second. I really liked his POV and I felt very genuinely connected to him and felt I could trust his narrative. Hassan was my favourite character, of course, I have a tendency to love the morally good characters above all else, he just presented such childhood freedom in his character. I also appreciated the "supporting cast" of characters, the way this book was written really leant itself well to having a large group of characters (also adding to the authenticity)
Relationships: Amir and Hassan's relationship dominated the book, it was fascinating to read about and really was the emotional centerpoint of the book. Hassan's pain really hurt Amir and therefore as a reader it was really hard to read about, and the way their relationship fractured. Other interesting relationships were also explored, Amir and his father, Amir and his wife and Amir and Hassan's son - I genuinly didn't find any interaction between two characters boring or useless to read about.
World-Building: As someone who has never been further than the M25 it feels like, the world of Kabul was really interesting to read about. The sensory language really immersed a reader in the world. It was really interesting to see the extreme contrast between the Kabul of Amir's childhood and the Taliban-controlled Kabul.
Genre: I love historical fiction and this book is the perfect example. It feels autobiographical, whilst Amir isn't real, his experiences are and they read as fact. It is believable and understandable and that gives the book great power. The style of writing Khaled Hosseini uses makes this book really acessable whilst still allowing the indulgences of sensory description. I have allready read A Thousand Splendid Suns and I have just picked up a copy of And The Mountains Echoed.