Thursday, May 10, 2007

"This Is Such a Good Book!"

My wife made fun of me because every time I finished a chapter of The Kite Runner I would say "This is Such A Good Book!"

Although I finished reading this book a few weeks ago I have been reluctant to share my thoughts here because this is the type of book you only want to discuss with someone who's read it, for fear of over discussion would take away the reading experience from them.

The Kite Runner(written in 2003) is the first published novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini (actually it's the first novel published in Englished by an Afghan author).

The story provides an excellent mini-history lesson on Afghanistan's modern history, but in a way that doesn't bring high expectations to the table.

There were certain plot elements and foreshadowings that were very clear to me as I read this book, and yet at the same time I thought I had the entire story figured out Hosseini would throw in the most bizarre twists and turns that although I saw the end in sight I had no idea how I was going to get there.

I am excited for Marc Forster's film adaptation of this book which is scheduled for a November 2007 release. I really hope that Forster and his crew (including Khalid Abdalla) do this novel justice and create an artful and entertaining film.

Before then...read the book!

(As November gets closer and I digest this book some more, I imagine I will post more on this book and movie, so consider the reading assignment StrangeCulture homework, to be honest, I could easily see this book become common academic literature, especially at the undergraduate level.)

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10 comments:

12345 said...

Hey!

Thanks for leaving a comment over at my blog. Keep visiting me and I will keep visiting you!

I hadn't heard anything about this book, but after reading your post, I'm quite intrigued. I want to read a few books on my summer vacations, so maybe I'll give this one a shot.

cheers!

Seth Ward said...

I have been wanting to read that.

Like your blog and will link.

Will said...

Thanks for the review. I've been wondering whether I should read this.

maryt/theteach said...

I taught this book to my discussion groups and they loved it! We were able to get a hold of a lecture by the author. He's an interesting, soft spoken, lovely man. Am waiting for his next book.

Anonymous said...

It's on our Bookclub list as well though it doesn't look like we'll be getting to it for a few months. I may have to read ahead.

Glenn Dunks said...

Marc Forster hasn't made a good movie yet, so my hopes for this movie aren't exactly sky high.

Ryan said...

The book is astonishingly good and I'm glad you liked it as much as well. One of the best I've read in a long time, so I hope with you that the film does it justice. I reviewed the book on my site here: The Kite Runner

-R

Chelsea Strong said...

Ah! I've been meaning to read this book.

Thanks for the comment, keep up if you'd like!

Anonymous said...

I picked up this book last year simply because I like Asian influenced stories (being Asian myself). Although this book is excellent, I find myself regretting because of what it made me feel in the middle, about the boy who was kept as a a sex slave. It's heart breaking and disturbing.
I'm not sure I will watch the movie although I would be tempted to.

Anonymous said...

This was a WONDERFUL book. I read it in one (very emotional) day as I was unable to put it down. I cried my eyes out! I relly doubt that a movie would do it justice but I'm happy to hear that there is a movie coming out. I would definitely watch it.