daestoevsky's reviews
196 reviews

This book is definitely a new favorite and will be sticking with me for a long time. I knew this book is going to hurt me, and it did - ten-fold. 

As someone who studies IR, we sometimes study historical events in an objective manner - often detached from the horrors that happened to the people who lived through it. Hence, this book is like a splash of cold water for me, making me realize that there are individual lives who experienced the turmoil, whose lives are adversely changed.

In terms of the characters, I hated Amir. However, I also felt sympathy for him at some points in the book - thinking that his actions are a product of his social disposition. Bottom line is, I feel like he got his long overdue karma. 

There's so much to say about this book... it provided a lens on the cultural, religious, and social demarcations in Afghanistan. It also enunciated the individual-level experiences of Afghanis. Side note, this really piqued my interest in understanding Afghanistan's history further - specifically during the Soviet occupation to the Taliban.

All in all, this is definitely not my last Hosseini.

Actual rating: 4.75

This is such an easy read and made me giggle LOTS of times. On a more serious note, I really appreciate how the author always tackle the politics within academia — particularly, with the experiences of women. 

On the other side of the coin, while I greatly enjoyed this book, I cannot overlook how non-STEM characters seem a little too... comical. Like their traits is always impulsive, irrational, and etc. I know that is not the intention of the author but, yeah, just a personal sentiment.

I wish Ali Hazelwood can write my life and give me my own Jack Smith-Turner!

A really good short-story! It was engaging & memorable!