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| This book I read |
| Saturday, December 08, 2007 |
A great book I read in a loonng time. The Kite Runner. Thanks to Sparkie and Archana for introducing it to me. This is not a review, but just my thoughts on the book.
I picked up this book two weeks ago at Borders, read a few pages, was pretty impressed. The words just seemed to flow seamlessly, and I turned pages without knowing. Then I picked Next, which I initially felt was unputdownable, me being a loyal fan of Crichton and all, but then was disappointed at the end. Then I picked Ken Follet's End of World last weekend, read a few pages, it went okay, but I made the mistake of reading Amazon reviews before reading further. In the middle of last week, I badly wanted to read something good, I dont get these urges often, I always start a book and never finish it. So I bought The Kite Runner on Wednesday. Thursday night was when I started really appreciating the book. Late in the night, with DH sleeping by the side, I cried as I read the book. Tears flowed as I read. Friday evening, we went to Borders and continued reading. DH also picked up a copy after my endless rattle about how great the book was. I finished the book just a few hours ago.
I am still not out of the book. Haunting, it the right word. Its the way the book is written. You dont realize the pages you are turning. Is that what is called a page-turner? LOL. Other adjectives I have for the book, sad yet engaging, gripping, un-putdown-able, marvellous, unforgettable, stays with you even after you have finished the book. I have never given much thought to Muslims and their way of life. Taliban is a word I have heard with respect to 9/11. How mean, and cruel they are.
I learnt a lot of facts about Afghanistan. I thought India needs to develop so much. This country, it is still poor, almost 40 years behind India. As the author said in the book, lot of children of Afghanistan, with no childhood. It physically hurts. War-ravaged country. This didnt happen many many years ago, a time we cannot fathom, but it occured only a couple of decades ago. When I was in school, children of Afganistan lost their parents, starving without food, losing their homes. It was interesting and sad to learn about the history. I didnt know it snowed in Afghanistan. I learnt more about the Talibans. The important events creep up on the reader, unwarranted, totally unexpected. You are reading about something very normal, and happy, and suddenly, things change. The writing is such that, you are always there with the author, experiencing what he is experiencing, be it the snowy cold winter, or the journey in the scotching desert on a long dirt road.
This is all I could say without spoiling the plot. It is a very well written story, in simple language, albeit sad. The sadness is almost suffocating, but it didnt stop me from reading with tears streaming down my cheeks at times. DH also seems to be liking it, so I cannot call it a mushy sentimental book, altough it has all the elements to be one. When I started the book I had no clue about what the heck the book was about, so I was able to appreciate the book manifold.
I am looking forward to watching the movie which is to be released next week, I am sure I will like it. Here is a review of the book, if anyone is interested.
I bought the next book by the same author, A thousand Splendid Suns. I am enjoying his engaging way of writing though I can see lot of similarities between the two books. But its been a long time since I have been transported into another world through the medium of books, and I am liking this immensely. |
posted by SK @ 4:41 PM  |
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| 3 Comments: |
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I have been meaning to read this book for quite sometime now but haven't got a chance yet ! Guess need to do it soon before I see the movie.
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This is freakishly co-incidental. I blogged today about books. And wanted some suggestions:).
Hmmm...... crying and all slitcha over. If you remember I once commented that you are a really "girly" girl. This just proves it:).
Anyway I will try this book. If its not good expect some thitu from me.
-Ok
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Dusthi, Please do, you wont regret!
OK,
Yes coincidental. Try this one, I think you might like it.
Hey I dont cry all the time. :--)
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I have been meaning to read this book for quite sometime now but haven't got a chance yet ! Guess need to do it soon before I see the movie.