I heard about the author, Khaled Hosseini, on NPR when he read an excerpt from his new book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns". I was intrigued. I love stories that weave history into them so I learn about a culture and the events and politics of another place and time. I am still #356 on a waiting list through the St. Louis Library for "A Thousand Splendid Suns" but "The Kite Runner" came in within a few weeks of requesting it.
I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It was story-telling at its best. This is a first-person narrative of a privileged Afghan boy named Amir growing up right before the overthrow of the monarchy in Afghanistan and the years of devestation that followed... and continue to follow to this day. His best friend is actually his servant, Hassan, a Hazara, which is a discriminated, mainly Shia, ethnic minority in Afghanistan.
The book is beautifully written. It's very real and powerful. It's one of those that even when you're not reading it, you're thinking about the characters, replaying the events, and wondering what will happen next. As I said, it's very real. It's not an easy story... it's very harsh and gripping. Tears came to my eyes several times. I think because one is able to identify with the weaknesses and struggles of the character of Amir wishing that he would choose differently but relating to his struggles with the power of our own weaknesses. And one can only wish to posess the loyalty and unconditional nature of Hassan. Not everything wraps up nicely. But it is a story of redemption. And I believe that is what makes it beautiful.
Matt just told me that they are making a movie based on the book. That's great... but I am a little worried. I hope they don't cheese it up. I hope people will still read this powerful book. But since it seems movies are a huge conduit to give people get a good dose of history or a concept of social issues, I hope it will get the word out of things that have happened and that are continuing to happen in our rosy world. But before I turn this into a post about the non-existence of any semblence of important or ongoing education in this country or the tiny world view of Americans (which I of course am also guilty of), I will say goodbye! And read this book if you have a chance! :)
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1 comments:
lindsay corinn said...
i am definitely going to read that book sometime. thanks for the review. xo
September 13, 2007 8:21 PM
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Kite Runner
I heard about the author, Khaled Hosseini, on NPR when he read an excerpt from his new book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns". I was intrigued. I love stories that weave history into them so I learn about a culture and the events and politics of another place and time. I am still #356 on a waiting list through the St. Louis Library for "A Thousand Splendid Suns" but "The Kite Runner" came in within a few weeks of requesting it.
I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It was story-telling at its best. This is a first-person narrative of a privileged Afghan boy named Amir growing up right before the overthrow of the monarchy in Afghanistan and the years of devastation that followed... and continue to follow to this day. His best friend is actually his servant, Hassan, a Hazara, which is a discriminated, mainly Shia, ethnic minority in Afghanistan.
The book is beautifully written. It's very real and powerful. It's one of those that even when you're not reading it, you're thinking about the characters, replaying the events, and wondering what will happen next. As I said, it's very real. It's not an easy story... it's very harsh and gripping. Tears came to my eyes several times. I think because one is able to identify with the weaknesses and struggles of the character of Amir wishing that he would choose differently but relating to his struggles with the power of our own weaknesses. And one can only wish to posess the loyalty and unconditional nature of Hassan. Not everything wraps up nicely. But it is a story of redemption. And I believe that is what makes it beautiful.
Matt just told me that they are making a movie based on the book. That's great... but I am a little worried. I hope they don't cheese it up. I hope people will still read this powerful book. But since it seems movies are a huge conduit to give people get a good dose of history or a concept of social issues, I hope it will get the word out of things that have happened and that are continuing to happen in our rosy world. But before I turn this into a post about the non-existence of any semblance of important or ongoing education in this country or the tiny world view of Americans (which I of course am also guilty of), I will say goodbye! And read this book if you have a chance! :)
I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It was story-telling at its best. This is a first-person narrative of a privileged Afghan boy named Amir growing up right before the overthrow of the monarchy in Afghanistan and the years of devastation that followed... and continue to follow to this day. His best friend is actually his servant, Hassan, a Hazara, which is a discriminated, mainly Shia, ethnic minority in Afghanistan.
The book is beautifully written. It's very real and powerful. It's one of those that even when you're not reading it, you're thinking about the characters, replaying the events, and wondering what will happen next. As I said, it's very real. It's not an easy story... it's very harsh and gripping. Tears came to my eyes several times. I think because one is able to identify with the weaknesses and struggles of the character of Amir wishing that he would choose differently but relating to his struggles with the power of our own weaknesses. And one can only wish to posess the loyalty and unconditional nature of Hassan. Not everything wraps up nicely. But it is a story of redemption. And I believe that is what makes it beautiful.
Matt just told me that they are making a movie based on the book. That's great... but I am a little worried. I hope they don't cheese it up. I hope people will still read this powerful book. But since it seems movies are a huge conduit to give people get a good dose of history or a concept of social issues, I hope it will get the word out of things that have happened and that are continuing to happen in our rosy world. But before I turn this into a post about the non-existence of any semblance of important or ongoing education in this country or the tiny world view of Americans (which I of course am also guilty of), I will say goodbye! And read this book if you have a chance! :)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Stormy Craziness
We had a HUGE storm last night go over St. Louis. The thunder was deafening. I woke up, laid listening to the booming thunder, blinking at the lightning blinding me every couple seconds. All of a sudden I sat upright in a panic -- I think I left the windows down on my car!!!
By the sound of the downpour, I didn't think it would make any difference to close them now. The storm was passing on to scare children in another suburb now. After pondering a few more minutes I got up, put on some flipflops and went outside -- WOW, 10 minutes after the fierce of the storm was gone, it was still raining torrents! I ran out to my car, felt the window -- completely sealed up. I laughed about how crazy I looked, running in the middle of the night thru a dangerous storm to touch my car and run back into my apartment.
Ah, school days! I am so envious. I am still getting invited to beginning of the school year parties at Mizzou- gosh, I miss it. Why does life post-college suck so bad???
I saw a little girl with a shiny backpack being fussed over by a doting mother, camera in hand in my apartment complex this morning when I left for work. I think it was her first day of school! I was staring, reminscing and she saw and looked back. I waved warmly at her like a crazy old lady. I would switch you in a heartbeat, second grader!
By the sound of the downpour, I didn't think it would make any difference to close them now. The storm was passing on to scare children in another suburb now. After pondering a few more minutes I got up, put on some flipflops and went outside -- WOW, 10 minutes after the fierce of the storm was gone, it was still raining torrents! I ran out to my car, felt the window -- completely sealed up. I laughed about how crazy I looked, running in the middle of the night thru a dangerous storm to touch my car and run back into my apartment.
Ah, school days! I am so envious. I am still getting invited to beginning of the school year parties at Mizzou- gosh, I miss it. Why does life post-college suck so bad???
I saw a little girl with a shiny backpack being fussed over by a doting mother, camera in hand in my apartment complex this morning when I left for work. I think it was her first day of school! I was staring, reminscing and she saw and looked back. I waved warmly at her like a crazy old lady. I would switch you in a heartbeat, second grader!
Friday, August 03, 2007
oh sweet vacation
I am going to Boston August 17 -27th. YAY!
After this 50+ hour work week I need it.
Ugggg I think I am developing stress headaches.
For now, oh sweet weekend.... come! Leave all this behind....
After this 50+ hour work week I need it.
Ugggg I think I am developing stress headaches.
For now, oh sweet weekend.... come! Leave all this behind....
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Dinner
Joel finishes his internship and moves back to Columbia this week, so he finally came over to make Jen & I the feast he has been promising all summer. Honey mustard chicken, asparagus with a honey mustard glaze, delicious corn with onions for flavor, and dinner rolls... and he even brought some Fitz's root beer! He is single, ladies!
I volunteered to make the dessert and slaved away on a carrot cake from scratch including the frosting! It was a lot of work (especially shredding the carrots -- note of advice, don't use baby carrots...) but it was good. I want to do a little tweaking to the frosting recipe...more cream cheese, me thinks.
I enjoy cooking. I didn't grow up doing it. I just wish I had a little more free time. Usually after a 9-10 hour day the last thing I feel like doing is preparing a nice meal. But it's strangely relaxing, too...
I volunteered to make the dessert and slaved away on a carrot cake from scratch including the frosting! It was a lot of work (especially shredding the carrots -- note of advice, don't use baby carrots...) but it was good. I want to do a little tweaking to the frosting recipe...more cream cheese, me thinks.
I enjoy cooking. I didn't grow up doing it. I just wish I had a little more free time. Usually after a 9-10 hour day the last thing I feel like doing is preparing a nice meal. But it's strangely relaxing, too...
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