The Kite Runner [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED]

The Kite Runner Perhaps it is the contrarian in me, but I don't generally rush to read, watch or listen to things that are hugely popular. I saw Jurassic Park by accident on television about eight years after it was released. I haven't seen the last two Star Wars movies. Never saw the Harry Potter movies (although I have now audio-read a few of the books). I saw the first...more

The Kite Runner Perhaps it is the contrarian in me, but I don't generally rush to read, watch or listen to things that are hugely popular. I saw Jurassic Park by accident on television about eight years after it was released. I haven't seen the last two Star Wars movies. Never saw the Harry Potter movies (although I have now audio-read a few of the books). I saw the first Lord of the Rings movie just recently and have zero interest in seeing how it ends. The Kite Runner fell into my list of books I wanted to avoid for the admittedly childish reason stated above. To make matters worse, I had a feeling it was an Oprah book, which made my aversion more acute. But I needed a new audio-book for my 90-minute daily commute and estimated enough time had passed from the release of this book for me to maintain my maverick rep. I won't write about this book as others have done so better than me. I will make a few brief points. (1) People who migrate (even if it is forced) have a lot of guts. I'm writing this today from the comfort of a suburban home because my ancestors had guts and made a good decision in coming to Canada. (2) The Taliban are to Afghanistan what the Nazis were to Germany. Full stop. People like Jack Layton who want to negotiate with monsters like that make me ill. (3) Even with the problem of racism (and all the other isms), the United States and Canada are still an oasis for the people of the world. It was for Amir and likely was for your ancestors too. (4) The Kite Runner is basically The Power of One, but with kites. Sort of. So, go forth and read The Kite Runner.   hide