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 enlarge | Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £0.74
You Save: £7.25 (91%)
New (42) Used (55) Collectible (1) from £0.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  406 reviews
Sales Rank: 61
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0747566534
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780747566533
ASIN: 0747566534
Publication Date: June 7, 2004
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: UK SELLER__IN STOCK__Immediate Dispatch (Mon to Fri)_Protective Packaging__Trusted Bucks Retailer__FAST DELIVERY__book cover may vary
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| Customer Reviews:
 Light and darkness in Afghanistan October 18, 2008
Opening in Afghanistan in the mid-seventies, this novel tells the story of a young Afghani man's struggle to win his father's approval, against a background of his country's turbulent politics, where control passes through the hands of various kings into those of Russia, and finally into the hands of the religiously fanatical Taliban.
Yet to me the appeal of the story lies not the changes of government, nor in the depiction of a different, Islamic culture, but in the all too human story of the hero, Amir, as he is caught in his own personal turmoil. Love, fear and ambition war together, and the price of his success is betrayal and guilt. Were he to have acted out his life in any other time, place or culture, it would have made little difference. The happiness and pain of his life are personal, and the background of violent change from feudalism to communism to theocracy remains just that - a background.
This sets me to thinking - as a good novel should, - that we are all much the same. Skin colour can change, the language in which we express our belief in God, or the lack of it. Though these change, the essentials of our lives do not.
It seems to me that the real politics, the real struggle in life, is between two spirits. One is optimistic and cheerful, that recognises love and says to strive for a better world, and one is dark and full of fear, and says to lash out and hurt, and destroy the world in hatred and despair.
These two are universal, and greater than all differences in culture or religion, and this novel speaks to me because I find that these two spirits also live in me, and battle with each other.
Graham Worthington, author, Wake of the Raven
For you, a thousand times... October 10, 2008
This book is absolutely, amazingly superb. It was so captivating and moving. I picked it up as I wanted something to read on my train ride home from uni. This book is a great read, an excellent piece of work and i would read it over and over again. I recommend this book to everyone.
A-level English showed me the wonders of hosseini September 28, 2008
when i was given this book to read for my A-level english i was a little more than hesitant of it as it wasnt really a book i would read, the last being harry potter but strangely i found myself gripped. Not wanting to divulge information as many others have, in short this is a tale of betrayal, redemption and loyalty in a time none of us could imagine the afghan monarchy had fallen and the republic taken over leading to the devastating russian invasion, writen with such description and power you are thrown into a world of poverty and decay where things happen that make you cringe, make you smile and even at times make you want to cry. all in all i read this book in a few short days not wanting to put it down, the book can be slow at times but if you keep going it is a great read and i would reacomend i to anyone 16+ as it is a truly inspirational read that will leave you craving more hosseini so i am now going on to read a thousand splendid suns which he has writen. thankyou for reading and i beg you to buy this book as it will change your reading world. also the film is a very poor representation of the power of the book.
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ September 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an excellent portayal of a boy's childhood growing up in Afghanistan and the betrayal of his best friend. He suffers for years upon years with guilt and finally begins the journey to ultimate redemption. It's very very hard to put it down.Praise to Khaled Hosseini.It is one of those books that you will remember forever.
Gripping September 7, 2008
I adored this book, from page 1 it had me well and truly hooked. It was beautifully written, the story of two boys growing up together, but so different.The twists and turns made this book one of the best I have ever read. Funny, sad, it has it all, I had a real job to put the book down once I had started reading it. When I had finished reading it I felt lost, and sad that there was no more. I really, really loved it.
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