Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Kite Runner

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

37 reviews

thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.5

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meliacartin's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful 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

4.5

this is the first book since i read yellowface that i felt like i couldn’t put down. the story was perfectly paced and i really formed a connection with the characters. it was really intense and a lot to take in, but i wanted to keep going in spite of it. i’m reading a thousand splendid suns next and i hope it makes me feel the same way. it’s definitely not without its faults but it’s a great book i’d gladly read again

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rberdan's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-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

4.5

The Kite Runner is devastating and beautifully written. There are many content warnings to heed. I had to take breaks because of the heaviness, but that speaks also to how rich the storytelling was. Set in Afghanistan and the United States, this is a story of family trauma and secrets, betrayal, redemption, unconditional love, friendship, war, violence, class, power, and immigration. Yes, it’s a lot, and woven together artfully.

From the joy of kite running to graphic abuse to the complexities of relationship, I felt so much of this book deeply. I’m a white woman from the Global North, so there are many aspects of this book that are far from my own lived experiences, and yet the desire to undo regret and redeem oneself, to simply be loved by those we admire most, and to get away from kindness that feels undeserved… these are things I can relate to. While I know conceptually of the history of the Taliban and of issues with immigration, there is an immersive reality in the storytelling that allowed me to understand in a different way. There is a recurring theme of shame and being loved anyway that is truly beautiful and touching.

Amir’s own self loathing is so beautifully captured that I found myself struggling to like him much. Seeing his family and Hassan through his eyes was so interesting as I got to love them along with him. I ultimately could feel compassion for him as he found his way to loving others. I struggled to forgive him as he struggled to forgive himself, even though his greatest regret was still something he did (or didn’t do) as a child.

All of that said, I also felt that there was almost too much “other people are good and I’m bad” in the story. I get that it’s Amir’s point of view, and I also feel that there’s more nuance than this in who we are as humans.

In the end, I absolutely adored Sohrab and my heart broke for all that he’d endured at such a young age. I ended the book with so much hope for what could be on the other side of his early days.

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cecereads__'s review against another edition

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4.25

A mostly heartbreaking book but with a side of beauty and all the ups and downs and flaws that come with life and love and family.
Tragedy was always close by in this story, which is only respectful of reality. Sohrab is someone I will remember for a long time.

and someone I wish had been spared the heartbreaking experiences following (and including) the murder of his parents. Amir is a deeply flawed mc, who treated Hassan from a conflicted but ultimately jealous and unkind and unfair standpoint. Even though he is just a child and a child of his environment. Assef is socio- and psychopathic.

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jenjones83's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

I had a love-hate moment with this book. I couldn’t relate to the story so it was very sad to me and I had a hard time connecting with this book. However, I did find the story very tragic. I feel so bad for all of the people in this book. It was a great story but I don’t know that I would want to read it again.

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_fathimanourin1234_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? N/A

5.0

This book wrecked myself in all the ways possible. Amir and Hassan. Hassan is a best and loyal friend anyone would wish for and Amir is the worst friend (in the beginning). Amir hurted Hassan with his words.

But I was glad because at the end, Amir chosed to find sohrab and protect him at all costs and adopt him.

At the end of tbe story, I really forgiven Amir on his past actions towards Hassan.
Soriya is the best wife. She welcomed Sohrab as her own son.

Sohrab is the best kid. I wished I could hug him and give him all the love he deserves and beyond. Anyways, Amir did that. I'm glad for that.

Sohrab was sexually abused by that fucking bastard Assef, the same man who raped Hassan when he was sohrab's age. And the same man who killed Hassan. I was so happy when Assef was attacked by Sohrab.

The mosr devastating part is the cruelties done by Taliban to Afghan people. It shooked ne while I was reading their actions towards the innocent people including children, men and women. No one deserves that kind of atrocities.
Overall, this book terrified me. This book was devastating, Heartbreaking and unforgettable. And I'm not going to reread this book again because it is as much devastating.

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