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Post by Hazel not logged in again on Oct 25, 2006 18:22:19 GMT -6
I thought there was a thread dedicated to "The Kite Runner" in this forum but I was only able to find some mention of it in the "DaVinci Code" thread. I decided it needed its own thread.
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini gets a huge thumb's up. Never have I read a book that has disturbed me so much yet enjoyed so immensely.
This is the story of two young boys who grew up together in Afghanistan before the Taliban came and wreaked havoc on their way of life. The boys were from completely different social stations (one was the son of a wealthy businessman, the other the son of the family's long-time servant) yet they were friends.
Their friendship is eventually destroyed because of long-standing resentments, the impact of other familial relationships, and a tragic event that befalls one of them. They part ways and never see each other again. They each experience great joys and great tragedies throughout this book. I won't elaborate because I don't want to spoil the book for anybody who might want to read it.
However, I must warn ... this book is a very harsh read. It made me angry. It made me sad. I actually cried on the subway while reading a very disturbing chapter in this book.
Yet, in the end, I am glad I resisted the urge to put this book down and not finis it. I'm glad I put aside the anger and the sadness and forced myself to finish it. It is, without a doubt, one of the most well-written novels I've ever read.
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Post by Christinko on Oct 25, 2006 20:30:29 GMT -6
I'm with you 100% on all the above except that it's the most well-written. It is well-written, but I have other favs that qualify for my list to choose from for the most well-written.
The book will help you understand some of what happened in Afghanistan before and during the Taliban. Is that an opinion?--YES!
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Post by New Mama on Oct 26, 2006 8:36:38 GMT -6
I also just loved (and hated) this book. It was this author first novel. I look forward to his next.
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Post by Christinko on Oct 26, 2006 21:55:55 GMT -6
I'm such a dufus! You are right, Hazel!
But for my list of top well-written books, I'd not include it.
Here's whats in my top well-written list (for all it matters):
Anything by Tom Robbins or Mark Twain Most stuff by John Irving Middlesex (by Jeffrey Eugenides) The Winner of the National Book Award (by Jincey Willett) Ahab's Wife (by Sena Jeter Naslunc) The Poisonwood Bible (by Barbara Kingsolver) Classics such as 1984, Lord of the Flies, Les Miserables, Gone With the Wind, Brave New World, Animal Farm, and Asimov's Foundation and Trilogy series profoundly moved me, and I like to reread them (as I do certain romance novels!), but for quality of writing the other ones are my favs. I look for a certain poetry to the language that's beyond the story told.
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Oct 27, 2006 9:42:28 GMT -6
The World According To Garp, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Ciderhouse Rules & Jitterbug Perfume are some of my very favorite reads.
Edited to add: I have the Kite Runner, but have yet to read it...it sounds so daunting! I will give it a try after vacation. Thanks for the suggestion Hazel.
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Post by Christinko on Oct 27, 2006 10:01:38 GMT -6
We have the same tastes, Liz!
Definitely don't read it on vacation, Liz...way too depressing and disconcerting.
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Post by New Mama on Oct 27, 2006 10:27:33 GMT -6
I've always enjoyed the Diana Gabaldon Outlander novels --- OUTLANDER, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, DRUMS OF AUTUMN, and THE FIERY CROSS. Kind of fluff with history thrown in, great sex passages and interesting information about early medicinal herbal treatments and surgery.
I consider this series a cut above your better historical romance novel. Highly recommended.
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Oct 27, 2006 10:37:47 GMT -6
I hear nothing but raves about the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series...I have yet to read them, though with Anita's quote of "great sex passages" thrown in there, I might just have to.
Don't worry Chris S, I wouldn't dream of reading anything other than super-fluff while on vacation.
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Post by Christinko on Oct 27, 2006 21:15:07 GMT -6
I'll vouch for the first two DG books in the series! I love time travel/historical romance with great story lines and character, and hers are long (apparently she has trouble stopping typing) but juicy and full of fun facts about how Scotland and England were 250 years ago.
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