A sad sigh when I finished.. I feel like I am the last person to finally read this book, but after reading The Wasted Vigil a few years back I just couldn't stomach the ensuing depression.. though this book is neither as brilliant or as depressing as The Wasted Vigil... just waiting for the first Afghan comedy to come along. I am reading the Kite Runner with a book club I do at a prison and I think it will be a great book for a discussion of mens' relationships. The story is a bit too well-put together and even to feel organic, but the writing is flawless-if not glorious- and my overall impression was 2 thumbs up..