serenspace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Genocide, Gore, Pregnancy, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
It's not often that I feel completely hopeless for the characters in a book. There is usually some hope of miracles or happy endings. But the majority of this left me feeling defeated for Mariam and Laila, so completely extinguished. The style of writing Hosseini employs is emotionally rich and devastating, keeping me on my toes while also filling me with immovable dread. It encapsulates the fear of a nation torn by war, putting me squarely in the shoes of those left behind. Mariam's ending broke me, such conviction that despite everything, there are things, people, worth fighting for. Laila's ending, far more hopeful and happy yet tainted by gried, avoided the quality of a happy-ever-after by walking through her entire life, showing every part of her. If anybody should be happy, Laila tops the list, followed of course by Tariq, Aziza, Zalmai... A brilliant novel.mmittens's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, War, Pregnancy, Death, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Miscarriage
33cosmo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Genocide, Sexual content, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Abortion, Body horror, Pregnancy, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Violence, War, Bullying, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child death, Classism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual content, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Vomit, Abortion, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, and Panic attacks/disorders
mary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Suicide, War, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Violence, and Confinement
idessa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Graphic: Medical content, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Infertility, War, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood
mary_jinxedit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Torture
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Grief, and Gaslighting
dontwanthvn's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, War, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Miscarriage, Blood, Death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Incest, Animal cruelty, Suicide, and Confinement
thetearex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Suicide, Abandonment, Ableism, Gore, Islamophobia, War, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Grief, Infertility, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Colonisation, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gun violence, Rape, and Sexual content
lalu's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I went in knowing barely anything about the situation and recent history of Afghanistan, apart from there's war and a lot of people but especially women are suffering. I also didn't remember the blurb... And I was absolutely blown away by the story, the characters, the tragedy, the immeasurable suffering, the strength.
It took me a while to get used to Hosseini's style, but I really admire it now and I'm glad that I decided to buy Kite Runner when I came across it in a second hand book shop just after I started reading A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Death, and War
Moderate: Pregnancy, Vomit, Grief, Infertility, and Miscarriage
lapsinja's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Infertility, Miscarriage, Murder, Child abuse, Hate crime, and Death of parent