In other news, (I haven’t blogged it forever… see how I’m making up for it now?) I just finished The Kite Runner, per an aunt’s request. Holy. Freaking. Crap. The single most depressing book I’ve ever read. I’m not even sure I’d recommend it to anyone. I guess I would since the writing is spectacular and it really draws you in, but the qualifier would be, only read this book if you’re life is going pretty well. If you’re in a rut or dealing with a depressing time, skip this book and read Terri Hatcher’s Burnt Toast instead.
Stu is currently reading Three Cups of Tea, which is probably one of the most inspirational books I’ve ever read. So he’s over there getting happy and feeling pretty good about life while I’m ready to slip my wrists dealing with the guilt Amir is holding in his heart in MY book. Stu actually said to me the other night while we were both reading, “Everyone should read this book.” I kind of laughed and agreed and he said, “No, seriously. Everyone should read this book.” I TOLD him it was that good, just like Marcia told ME it was that good. So, when it comes to reading about Pashtuns and the Afghani/Pakistani region, if you must make a choice, skip The Kite Runner and read Three Cups of Tea.
This is of course my opinion, and for some, the tale of a lie-ridden life filled with the cowardice and guilt of a child too young to understand the ramifications of his decisions, will be the better choice, but I think promoting literacy and banning ignorance in a decades-long war-torn region is such a better story.
Fear not, in spite of my new-found depression, I will still read the follow up… it simply can’t get any worse.
I have started reading the Kite Runner twice...then while we were in Seattle this weekend, Aunt MO rented the movie! It was a great movie, sad and guilt ridden, but the movie showed the lonely life one lives there and how he changed his life by going to America...until his return to Pakistan to get his nephew!! I thought the movie was very good and if y ou can, rent it and watch it. Papa liked the book a lot, but after seeing the movie, I'm going to skip the book! I was going to send you the movie! Maybe not..?? Three Cups of Tea was a GREAT book, and I thought a better book than Kite Runner! I hope you get over the depression from reading it....maybe you should just wait for me to send the movie! haha All your birthday and Valentine parties sounded like a lot of fun. What great friends you have there! Next time we come over, we'd love to meet them. I can bring my knitting needles! We are thinking of returning in October if that's OK with you. We can stay (with our points) at a hotel...we'll talk, OK? Love you and miss you so much! Had a great time here with Justine. She left today (Monday) early and will "ship out" Tuesday! Bye for now!! Kisses and hugs! Mimi and Papa
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't like The Kite Runner, but just so you know, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a totally different book - not a follow up to The Kite Runner. So, give it a shot. But warning, it is also very depressing. Think perserverance of human spirit! That's the message, I think.......
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