Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

84 reviews

cynbee's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

caramelcopp's review against another edition

This book was really hard to read, and although I know it’s a beautiful and impactful story, I found the things described in it to be far too graphic for me. As someone who has experienced some of what is mentioned in this book, the beginning of chapter 7 was really difficult to read and due to recommendations from friends who had read more, I decided I couldn’t handle the lengths this book went. I was reading this for school and had to talk to my teacher and make an exception (and she is beyond amazing for being so accommodating with it) so this was not a light decision. However, if you can handle it, the writing is beautiful and impactful. It will be an experience to read for you and I recommend you to try it if you are able to tolerate what’s in it. Keep in mind the content warnings are understatements for the most part.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Classism

gabriella_'s review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book made me incredibly emotional. I wish I read it sooner. Really satisfying read, excellent character development, and the writing was beautiful and haunting. I absolutely could not put this book down when I was reading it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Islamophobia, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Cursing

sagelikesscats's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thought this book was really good. It was mainly plot focused, and the the writing wasn't mind-blowing, but it was heartfelt, full of emotion, and makes me want to learn more about the history of Afganistan. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Rape, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Racial slurs, Torture, and Classism

Minor: Antisemitism

sadiaa's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

afroheaux's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

Like a lot of people, I first read this book in high school and I don't think I fully appreciated it at the time. I was caught up in the wind of my own traumas and had better things to do than to read a book for class. However, after reading a Thousand Splendid Suns again, I wanted to check out more of Hosseini's books, so I went back to the beginning. And wow, did this book rock me.

One thing I love about Hosseini's books is how honest he is about trauma and how it manifests in your life. The pain is so palpable that sometimes I had to put the book down, overwhelmed by the amount of emotion being threaded into the page. It carries a weight in your heart that's not easily dislodged. The choices that Amir makes throughout the book will leave you aggravated.

His treatment of Hassan throughout their children is despicable and I'm not even referencing their shared trauma of the gang rape. I understand that he felt lesser to Hassan because he felt like Hassan should've been where he stood. That was no excuse to take out his pain on him. Throughout the book he references how he snaps at him or does something nasty towards and he's like, "But Hassan always understood." The cruelty he showed towards him so that he could get rid of his own feelings of inadequacy pissed me off. Amir saw the kindness in which his father gained people's respect. How could he not do the same with his own best friend? The one who did everything for him? He was his personal assistant and maid wrapped under the guise of a best friend and he couldn't at least treat him with dignity? That's my only complaint about the book. Amir was just a little bit too self involved sometimes, but he's human, as we all are, so I can't blame him for that necessarily, but it was annoying to read someone berate someone who loved them so. 

The poison does drip through and affects its victims in different ways. The relationship at the heart of the book, Amir & Hassan, is such a beautiful portrayal of love between men in a platonic way that surpasses what is traditionally allowed in American contexts and it's incredible to watch. Hosseini does a wonderful job of transporting you into the streets of Afghanistan prior to the revolution that kicked off a series of war crimes and misfortunes that tore apart a country with a rich history and culture. He gives humanity to a section of the world that many have cast aside as filled with murderous religious extremists which is an ignorant oversimplification and bigoted statement. Reading his works have made me interested in the history of the region at that time and why the Middle East turned into a battleground for Western interests.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Classism

dawneelisabeth's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, War, and Classism

amabel_xo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Xenophobia

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Classism

mirandyli's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.75

This is a beautifully written, devastatingly sad story that I remember reading and crying over in high school. Back then I probably would have given this book 5 stars. After reading some other reviews, however, I think it's prudent to amend that rating. To quote another person's review: "This is the sort of book White America reads to feel worldly."

I will say, however, that there is a reason that thousands of people have raved about this book. Khaled Hosseini writes gorgeously. I loved this book and his other books as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Classism