Somewhat unusual, I'm reading the books out of order. I thought as they progressed they would get more mature. So I wavered reading this. If it was written for kids it fooled me. Very funny and full of heart. Like many people this book reminded me of the Roald Dahl books I read when I was a kid, particularly Matilda when poor Harry had to deal with the mean Dursleys. The movies have done a very good job in my opinion of bringing the characters to life but typically for me, nothing beats the n... (show more)

Somewhat unusual, I'm reading the books out of order. I thought as they progressed they would get more mature. So I wavered reading this. If it was written for kids it fooled me. Very funny and full of heart. Like many people this book reminded me of the Roald Dahl books I read when I was a kid, particularly Matilda when poor Harry had to deal with the mean Dursleys. The movies have done a very good job in my opinion of bringing the characters to life but typically for me, nothing beats the novel.

When a book is good, it's good. Highly recommended, a very quick read. (show less)

Book began to please me almost exactly halfway. I was almost going to stop reading because I found the protagonist when he was a boy extremely unlikable. But after a while I hoped he would change and of course he did. I knew nothing about this book except that it centered around a friendship between two boys in Afghanistan. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns previously and was very enthralled and moved by it.

This book however I thought was melodramatic, too many twists and turns to be label... (show more)

Book began to please me almost exactly halfway. I was almost going to stop reading because I found the protagonist when he was a boy extremely unlikable. But after a while I hoped he would change and of course he did. I knew nothing about this book except that it centered around a friendship between two boys in Afghanistan. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns previously and was very enthralled and moved by it.

This book however I thought was melodramatic, too many twists and turns to be labeled a novel, more like a mass market paperback "airport novel." Wise in the sense that you want to more about the country the book takes place in but not wise because the main character is weak, self loathing and conflicted practically all the time. Of course he has his metamorphosis, I'm happy for him and for myself, I didn't waste my time reading this for nothing. When I care more about the supporting characters I don't consider that a good sign. Kind of like the "Sookie Stackhouse dilemma."

Wouldn't recommend, but I would Hosseini's other work, A Thousand Splendid Suns. (show less)