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  The I'm Reading This Now Discussion Group

  I just finished the first chapter or so and see that Hosseini has invoked themes and plot devices similar to The Kite Runner. I don't necessarily have a problem with that but hope it doesn't make this too predictable. What similarities have you seen so far?

  Mike Arnold about 1 year ago

   

   

   

   

   

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    In response to Anonymous User

    Hi Mike,

    As you have said, his material is too predictable like a bollywood movie. At times it's too melodramatic but is in no way at par with The kite Runner. He wrote about male friendship in Kite Runner, it's female bonding in this novel, i wonder what he's going to write next! and will he always write about Afghanistan, Kabul?

    Check my blog post on kite runner:

    http://deepakadk.blogspot.com/2007/05/kite-runner-splendid-read.html

    Deepak Adhikari about 1 year ago

     

    
    

     

     

     

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    In response to Mike Arnold

    I am about half way through the book right now. I have been able to predict every major thing that has happened. Of course her mother is going to kill herself, of course her father does not want her, of course she loses her baby and Rasheed turns abusive. The story is interesting because it is a different world that I live in. However, as a writer I feel he has no subtly, no poetic charm. To me it is merely a book to read that is engaging because you feel for the characters, but I do not think he is a superb writer. I hope by the end something unexpected will happen.

    Rebecca Wissehr Howell about 1 year ago

     

    
    

     

     

     

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    In response to Mike Arnold

    Couldn't put this book down - amazed at how much a woman can put up with without snapping!

    Julie Edwards about 1 year ago

     

    
    

     

     

     

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    In response to Mike Arnold

    While I agree with the earlier commentary about predictability, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the he did a great job of capturing the innocence of childhood and really made you feel with the characters as they lose that innocence and move into lives where they are treated no better than animals. I thought I'd give it a plug as everyone here seems down on it, but I'd recommend without reservations.

    Joe Petri about 1 year ago

     

    
    

     

     

     

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    In response to Mike Arnold

    I just finished this one, and to be honset, I liked Kite Runnermuch better. Not to downplay the poor quality of life women have in Afgahnastan, but man, I can only take so much without some uplifting material.

    Colby Nathaniel about 1 year ago

     

    
    

     

     

     

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