Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Drachenläufer by Khaled Hosseini

39 reviews

beatriceku's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this book is many things. a waste of time is not one of them. the story is an overwhelming and heart wrenching tale, one that i feel is relatable, but other-worldly at the same time. you’ve heard it said before, but this is truly one important book. does anything ‘good’ necessarily happen in this novel! i would probably argue not. but it is filled with complexity and layers of human emotion that are unreachable in your typical YA novels and arguably, the most renowned classics. it speaks to the immigrant experience, the heartbreak of war, guilt, shame, class, and so many more in a gripping, nuanced, and eloquent manner. not only so, but is a riveting read, with twists and a fair share of devastating turns. all in all, although the term is cliche - it is an important read. to not only understand the history of Afghanistan, and the story of Amir, but also as a guide in how to navigate our own burdens and deepest shames.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, and Classism

nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Pedophilia, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Religious bigotry

danyacardamine's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and War

jemmathompson's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amazing book, studied it for A level, absolutely adore Hosseini’s writing style. But fair warning, this book can be very graphic and content-heavy at times, will most likely make you cry. Make sure to check any trigger warnings before you decide to read, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants an authentic insight into life in Afghanistan both before and after their conflicts.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and War

tahsintries's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Grief, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, and Miscarriage

sweeetzoejane's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

If I had read this book in 2003 I would have most probably given it a four or five star rating. Now, I can’t make it past the first 100 pages. These were some of my issues: 

 

• In her 2012 scathing review Cath Murphy said it best so I will just quote her – “In The Kite Runner servants embrace the joy of serving others in a way that makes Uncle Tom seem like a firebrand for emancipation.” And on that subject, spare me the whole “servants were like family to us” story line. 

• Hassan’s character is not only flat, but he’s also too Christ-like. He’s written as a sacrificial lamb that can do no wrong no matter how much wrong is done to him. He’s too good, too holy, too perfect. Zero nuance. 

• And speaking of zero nuance, that half-German Hitler loving 12-year-old sociopath . . . I just can’t with that kind of lazy character development. 

• This book was very obviously written for the American gaze. 

 

Having said all of this, I would be willing to read another one of Hosseini’s books. Why? Because 10 years after writing The Kite Runner, in an interview with The Guardian, he actually admitted that if he “were given a red pen now . . . [He] would take that thing apart.” Well, I would too.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexism, and Classism

johannslauren15's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

There is not enough words in the English language for me to describe and explain how this book made me felt, you will just have to read it to understand and feel what the author is trying to convey. This book took me so long to read, as I loved the friendship between Amir and Hassan, although I didn't  want to find out what happened to them in their futures. It was moving, gripping, compelling, extraordinary, insightful to the past of Afghanistan lifestyles, but this still makes me hurt just thinking about everything that happens. Definitely would check the trigger warnings before reading and to make sure that you may/may not need a therapist after finishing this. I wasn't even sad or really down before reading this but only after....
Otherwise, very diverse and life-changing book I read.....

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Sexism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War

zissa's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

such an emotional read. the honesty of the main character made him lovable - even when he was so hard to love. a beautiful representation of afghani culture which underlined the horrors of war 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Suicide, and Classism

josiiie's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and War