Introduce Yourselves!

[Sunltcloud]

So true - being drawn to the characters because of their flawed and damaged humanity. I think the hardest part of writing a novel is to develop the characters into living, breathing individuals who grow - either better or meaner or wiser etc - and find just the right amount of change. There can't be so much change that we, as readers, look at them as caricatures. And if they don't grow enough we get bored and close the book. I think Mr. Hosseini gives us just the right amount of background and progress.

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IBIS wrote:
Viva2, thank you for your post.

Being a naturalized American citizen gives me the dual perspective, to compare and contrast, my birth country and my adopted one. I compare and contrast and give thanks daily to my blessings.

You are absolutely right: writers like Hosseini give us opportunities to compare our contemporary lives with those of the people he creates. All his characters -- major and minor, good-hearted and mean-spirited, male and female -- transcend their nationality and capture the joys and sorrows of our common humanity.

Nana and Marian, trapped inside the borders of a hostile and violent nation, are condemned to live with the cruelties of a misogynist culture. But its their flawed and damaged humanity that draws us to them.

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[griffibn]

Hi,

Was lucky enough to attend a book signing event at Bass Hall in Ft. Worth, TX with the author--got 2 signed copies of A Thousand Splendid Suns and also signed copies of The Kite Runner. Both are excellent books and two of my favorites.

Bobbie

[Jansten75]

I have not read the Kite Runner, much to the disappointment of a dear friend. I did read the Bookseller of Kabul. It was excellent. I will read this book for discussion here and with my local book club. I have participated in the B&N Book Club under British Classics and Literature by Women. I live outside Philadelphia, PA; enjoy the exchange of ideas; I am a tea fanatic and I consider myself an Anglophile. This is amusing to me as I work for a French man; my best friend is French; I have two other close friends who love all things French. It never hurts to have a little contrast in one's life. I look forward to discussing this book with all of you.

[Mariposa]

Since I started posting a few days ago, I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Lizabeth and I live in NYC. I am a passionate reader and enjoy online book clubs. I have been involved with several B&N book clubs and especially enjoy those with the author present.

[viva2]

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IBIS wrote:
Viva2, thank you for your post.

Being a naturalized American citizen gives me the dual perspective, to compare and contrast, my birth country and my adopted one. I compare and contrast and give thanks daily to my blessings.

You are absolutely right: writers like Hosseini give us opportunities to compare our contemporary lives with those of the people he creates. All his characters -- major and minor, good-hearted and mean-spirited, male and female -- transcend their nationality and capture the joys and sorrows of our common humanity.

Nana and Marian, trapped inside the borders of a hostile and violent nation, are condemned to live with the cruelties of a misogynist culture. But its their flawed and damaged humanity that draws us to them.

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Ibis, you make a very good point when you say that all the characters, good and bad alike, transcend nationality. It is so easy to demonize without thinking, whether it be an individual or a culture.

It would have been interesting to see more of the villain's background, but perhaps that will be for Hosseini's next book. This was the women's story and could have been weakened if we knew what led him to be who he was. A culture of mysogyny is horrible to contemplate.

[niraj83]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions for other books I might enjoy. recently, I have been a big fan of splendid suns, kite runner, as well as the namesake. no book since has really been able to match up. Any suggestions?

Thanks a lot!

[songgirl7]

I know I'm coming in very late, but I just started reading this book and I hope people will stick around to discuss it some more!

I'm Sarah, and I live near Sacramento, CA. I have not read The Kite Runner, but I intend to. I started reading A Thousand Splendind Suns because it is the next book chosen for my book club.

I'm about halfway through and have found it a very moving story. It makes me so thankful to be an American and so mindful of the very small things we take for granted.

[lepking]

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rkubie wrote:
Please tell us a little about yourself. One question I'll start with -- is this your first time reading Khaled Hosseini's work, or did you read The Kite Runner?

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I participated in the Cage of Stars book club and found it most enjoyable. I am Linda King and I live in Mesa, AZ. Loved A Thousand Splendid Suns and have passed it on to many friends. I am passionate about domestic violence and have a website www.fixthehurt.com. I am distressed by the abuse suffered by women throughout the world, but found this story especially compelling.

[englishculture]

Hi. I'm Karyn, and I'm a freelance travel writer (I write book reviews for Curled Up With a Good Book - http://www.curledup.com - too). I'm American, but I'm currently living in Germany.

Last year for our book club, we read _The Kite Runner_, and I was mesmerized. I've never read a book that gripped me so powerfully. I was left breathless and wanting more.

I just finished _A Thousand Splendid Suns_ this morning. And I'm left with the same reaction. I am stunned. And I still can't really put together a coherent thought on this book.

This was our book club selection for this month, and since I can't attend that meeting, I decided to pop in here.

Cheers!

[VoraciousReader]

Hi, my name is Marna and I'm writing from the Central Valley of California. I've been away from B&N for awhile but have been craving the discussion of good books. I read The Kite Runner a year or so ago and had to recommend it to everyone I could. I immediately bought A Thousand Spendid Suns when it came out. What a great story, though I didn't find it quite as powerful as KR.

[VibRata60]

Hi I am Dean from Huntington Beach, CA. A friend lent me A Thousand Spendid Suns, with high praise. I loved it. Now I want to read Kite Runner.

[IBIS]

You will enjoy reading them both! I had a great time reading them. I can't wait to see the movie THE KITE RUNNER which is opening sometime this fall.

[rpen]

Hello everyone! I had read and enjoyed the Kite Runner and shared it with my cousin and my friend who have both cried while reading this amazing novel. I just started reading A Thousand Splendid Suns and so far I can't have enough of it to the extent that I worry about finishing it quickly!

[hudsonsmom]

Hi,

I'M Cheryl....I am a 33 yr old Flight Attendant and mom to a 3 year old little boy. I just celebrated my 5th wedding anniversary. Sorry I'm starting a little late with this.

I have lots of extra time at work and I use it to devour books. I read The Kite Runner and loved it. I finally got my husband to read it and he loved it. I was patiently waiting for his next book.

I loved this book just as much but in many different ways....I'm sure we will get to that.