The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, was my book club’s June selection. It was one of those books I never would have read unless forced. In my youth I read a lot of classical literature and many “great works” of fiction. Ever notice how most of those books are somewhat depressing? Or extraordinarily depressing ? Me too. I’ve avoided most of this deep fiction as an adult. I like books to be an escape and a pleasure.

I will admit that <span style=”font-style: italic;”>The Kite Runner</span> was an escape. I read it in one LONG sitting, completely transported into the lives of the characters. I was enveloped in a completely foreign culture, yet I completely understood the characters. The writing was masterful. I could easily see the settings and hear the characters. The plot was compelling and convincing.

The book left me with a sadness and anger that still hasn’t dissipated. It made me forever grateful to be an American citizen and forever disgusted with my fellow humans. It humanized the Middle East in a way that CNN never has. It is a very powerful book on every level.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khalid Hosseini is a wonderful storyteller. His prose is detailed without being boring and his characters are very richly drawn. I loved this book more than The Kite Runner, even though I found it more painful to read. I liked the protagonists more. That means a lot to me when I read.

This book also made me a lot more curious about Afghan culture and history. As I read about Pashtos and Tajeks I felt like I missed out on so much of the world. I am so ignorant about that area of the world, about their history and cultures and poets. Even though I was a history major at a decent university, I only had to take one non-Western history class. I took Japanese history because it was at a convenient time. I know nothing of the world between the Ural Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Anyway, A Thousand Splendid Suns is an amazing book. Sometimes I still think of the characters, as if they were real people. Real people that have been through things I can’t even imagine. Someone said to me, about the book, “Oh, it’s such a soap opera!”

Soap opera?

Desperate Housewives is a soap opera. The things that happen in Hosseini’s books REALLY happen. All too often. And the brilliant way Hosseini writes pretty much negates the whole soap opera thing.