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The Kite Runner

Average Rating 4.5
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Most Helpful Favorable Review

35 out of 36 people found this review helpful.

unforgettable....

The Kite Runner takes place in both Afghanistan and California. It's told from the perspective of Amir, first as a little boy and later on as a man. Amir grows up a privileged boy in Afghanistan. His best friend is Hassan, the son of the family servant. Amir is Pashtun,...Read More
The Kite Runner takes place in both Afghanistan and California. It's told from the perspective of Amir, first as a little boy and later on as a man. Amir grows up a privileged boy in Afghanistan. His best friend is Hassan, the son of the family servant. Amir is Pashtun, Hassan is Hazara. Amir is Sunni, Hassan is Shi'a. Their differences don't change the fact that these boys were breastfed together, learned to crawl together and are basically inseparable. Then everything changes. Amir witnesses a horror done to Hassan and cannot forgive himself for not stepping in to help him and to do what is right. In 1975 Afghanistan is in turmoil and Amir, then 12 years old, and his father move to San Francisco. Amir grows up feeling guilt and self-hatred over the issue with Hassan and the subsequent results. Then one day, twenty five years after Amir has left Afghanistan, he receives a phone call summoning him back to the place he had hoped to forget. The caller tells Amir "there is a way to be good again."

The Kite Runner has for it's hero a very flawed human being.....but that's what makes him so believable. Amir the boy does a very cowardly, dastardly deed but Amir the man stands up to the Taliban and even more importantly, he stands up for what is right. This book has forgiveness, redemption and courage for it's main themes. We see how strong the ties of friendship and loyalty can become through the eyes of Amir and a broken little Afghan boy. The setting in Kabul and the culture of the Afghan people make for an interesting backdrop to an unforgettable novel.Show Less

posted by songcatchers on October 25, 2008

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Most Helpful Critical Review

8 out of 62 people found this review helpful.

Worst book I think I have ever read

I do not understand all of the good reviews for this book. The only good part of the book is the historical perspective. The main character is a horrible person. The writer¿s idea of redemption is pathetic in my opinion.

posted by Anonymous on August 18, 2008

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  • Posted October 25, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    unforgettable....

    The Kite Runner takes place in both Afghanistan and California. It's told from the perspective of Amir, first as a little boy and later on as a man. Amir grows up a privileged boy in Afghanistan. His best friend is Hassan, the son of the family servant. Amir is Pashtun, Hassan is Hazara. Amir is Sunni, Hassan is Shi'a. Their differences don't change the fact that these boys were breastfed together, learned to crawl together and are basically inseparable. Then everything changes. Amir witnesses a horror done to Hassan and cannot forgive himself for not stepping in to help him and to do what is right. In 1975 Afghanistan is in turmoil and Amir, then 12 years old, and his father move to San Francisco. Amir grows up feeling guilt and self-hatred over the issue with Hassan and the subsequent results. Then one day, twenty five years after Amir has left Afghanistan, he receives a phone call summoning him back to the place he had hoped to forget. The caller tells Amir "there is a way to be good again."

    The Kite Runner has for it's hero a very flawed human being.....but that's what makes him so believable. Amir the boy does a very cowardly, dastardly deed but Amir the man stands up to the Taliban and even more importantly, he stands up for what is right. This book has forgiveness, redemption and courage for it's main themes. We see how strong the ties of friendship and loyalty can become through the eyes of Amir and a broken little Afghan boy. The setting in Kabul and the culture of the Afghan people make for an interesting backdrop to an unforgettable novel.

    35 out of 36 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted September 16, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Kite Runner

    The story is tragic and heart rending. At some points I really disliked the main character, but I could relate with his frustrations and guilt. He redeemed himself with his bravery in the end. The characters are deep, and the interactions between them are as natural as if the author had witnessed them himself (or, indeed, experienced them!). There is a little bit of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in the main character and his hair-lipped friend, respectively. I loved how many plot threads from the main character's childhood came back to him in adulthood, which brought back all the main character's childhood anxieties. I have never known a thing about Afghanistan, except what I hear on the news, but this book brought that beautiful, beleaguered country to life for me in ways I never could have imagined. I was transported to and immersed in a world that is totally beyond the awareness of most westerners. Through Hosseini's magic, I became part of that world and literally felt young Amir's and Hassan's every feeling. A superb novel, both historical and relevant for our times. This is a well written novel that's very culturally and politically aware, and it is certainly worth the time.

    11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 29, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    Has become my most treasured book.

    I was given this book about two years ago and it sat on my shelf until now, and I cant believe I didnt read it sooner. I cried, I laughed, and feel in to deep thought throughout this whole book. Its beautiful and you will fall in love with the characters right away. Hassan was my favorite character and you will love him too. I cried so much throughout this book because it evoked such feeling inside of me, do yourself a favor and BUY THE BOOK!

    11 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 18, 2008

    Worst book I think I have ever read

    I do not understand all of the good reviews for this book. The only good part of the book is the historical perspective. The main character is a horrible person. The writer¿s idea of redemption is pathetic in my opinion.

    8 out of 62 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 25, 2008

    GREAT NOVEL

    This is an amazing novel. I read this book because my cousin recommended it as a good summer read. I did not think that I was going to enjoy it but I was very wrong. This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I have to admit that the beginning seemed slow to me, but after one of its most controversial episodes I was hooked and could not put the book down. This novel was an emotional rollercoaster and surprisingly suspenseful at times. The writing is excellent and allows the reader to get into the mind of the protagonist, Amir, during all of the events he goes through. It is almost as if the reader is feeling the same emotions as Amir. The themes in this novel were very interesting to me. They range from relationships between family members (especially father and son) and loyalty among friends to the horrors war and social problems of the era. This leads me to another aspect that kept me so intrigued with this novel. I learned many new things about the history and culture of Afghanistan and it people. It was shocking to see the problems Afghans faced during the time while Russia had control of the region. In addition it was astounding to see the difference in social class based on the race or different sects of Islam. I knew that Sunni and Shi¿a had problems but I did not know to what extent. It was fascinating to learn so much history and culture but still have a beautiful and inspiring story. The relationships between the characters in this novel are amazing. It is filled with so much emotion that I could not help but to feel for all the characters. Each character has there own story and importance which keeps the reader entertained. When these stories come together is when it really gets appealing. I have to say that my favorite parts were the scenes that show the conditions of war during the Taliban control. Many of the events are filled with suspense during these parts I could not stop reading. This book really is a page-turner and I recommended it highly to all readers in high school and up. One of the most important and influential things I learned about in this book was the power of loyalty and how if someone feels like they have broken that loyalty they will do anything to get it back.

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 31, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    "For you, a thousand times over."

    The author weaves a stunning portrait of a country torn by war, depicted as once beautiful. His language draws the reader into the novel like a true artist into a painting full of color and truth."The Kite Runner" was one of the most amazing books I have ever read. Every page was a new adventure for Hassan or a new discovery for Amir. The title of my review is the central quote of the book.It represents all Hassan's unwavering loyalty to Amir, which is perhaps the most dangerous part of the story.
    The central themes are some of the most important topics of our time. Themes debated include rich vs. poor/social barriers, right and wrong, life choices, protecting those you love or yourself, admitting wrongdoing, and helping others even though it hurts yourself.I would recommend this book to anyone who has a little time and a lot of appreciation for good literature.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 26, 2005

    Unbelievably Moving

    I just finsihed reading this book. I have not stopped crying for an hour. It really moved me!!!!!!!! I lived & traveled in Afghanistan & the Middle east & India from 1976 to 78. The Shah was in power, Indira Gandhi also. When I was there Russia was just starting to invade. I went & watched a buscachi tournament in that fatal stadium. The Afghan people were & still are my favorite people in that part of the world. This book gave me so much more insight that I never new about the Afghan people & their culture & customs. Thank you!!! I am horrified & disheartened as an American that we have not done more for these amazing compassionate, generous people & country. They are truly victoms of this so called 'war on terrorism', Thank you Khaled Hosseini for this book, for the gift of your magnificant words. I am humbled!!!!

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 25, 2012

    Excellent

    This was an excellent and fast read. I wished I had read it sooner. This book kept me intrigued and interested. Most important it kept me out of the fridge and my TV stayed off. Who needs cable vision when we have Khaled Hosseini to entertain us. Thank you Dr. Hosseini.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 28, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Loved it!!!!!!

    If you enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns, then you will love this one.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 3, 2010

    Important read.

    I read this book then saw the movie and i remember more from the book. It wasnt too graphic and taught me history and culture about another part of the world.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 2, 2010

    The Kite Runner

    The Kite Runner is a fiction novel written by "Khaled Hosseini". It mainly takes place in Afghanistan which is where Amir grew up and where the Kite fighting competition takes place in the 1970's. This story is about the journey of Amir's life from when he as a little twelve year old boy to becoming a grown man in his 30's.
    When Amir was born, his mother had died after she gave birth to him, which caused a lot of pain to Baba, Amir's father. Amir loved his father very much, but thought that his father didn't love him back because he was the reason his mother had died. Amir had a best friend and his name was Hassan. Hassan was the son of Amir's father's best friend Ali, Hassan and Ali were also Amir's and his father's servants. When Amir was a young boy, he always wanted to be the last one standing in the Kite fighting competition so he would be known is great ways by his father and his community. Amir end's up winning the Kite fighting competition just as he hoped; Hassan tells Amir that he would go get the Kite that Amir cut to show his victory. Amir went looking for Hassan and found him in a dark ally, but soon realize that he was not alone. Hassan was being held down by Wali and Kamal while being raped by Assef. These three boys always made trouble with Hassan and Amir and Hassan would always be the one to defend the both of them.
    Amir decided to pretend he never saw or knew that Hassan was raped. During Amir's thirteenth birthday, one of Baba's closest friends Rahim Khan walked up to Amir and asked him if he knew anything about Hassan's being so quiet and sad looking lately; even though Rahim Khan already knew. Amir said he had no clue just like he was planning to do. Later on Amir is felling so guilty by then and decides that it's time for Hassan to leave. Amir left money and his watch that he got for his birthday under Hassan's bed and told Baba that Hassan had stolen it from him. Even though Hassan knew he didn't do it he still says he did; Ali and Hassan decide to move away and out of Baba's house.
    Years later Baba and Amir leave Kabul because of the war that's going on and decide to move to America. It took about two years for them to finally reach Fremont, California where they have decided to live. Amir finished the rest of his high school years in Fremont when he was 20 years old, and enrolled in college to become a writer. Amir met the love of his life when he and his father were at a flea market; the girl name was Soraya who ended up being the daughter of one of Baba's old friends from Kabul. Not to long after Amir and Soraya had been talking, Baba was diagnosed with lung cancer. Amir then told his father that he want to ask Soraya's father for her hand in marriage. Baba talked with Soraya's father, General Taheri who agreed and let Amir marry his daughter. After the wedding about a month later Baba had died from the cancer. Amir and Soraya had decided that they wanted to start a family; they tried for years but they couldn't get pregnant. Amir was still continuing his writing career and ended up becoming a famous fiction writer.
    After a few years, Amir gets a phone call from an old friend Rahim Khan and hears the news that he is very sick and Rahim wants Amir to come and visit him. Amir arrives at the house Rahim is living at and is told how a lot has changed since after the war and the Soviets were kicked out by the Taliban. Rahim also had a letter for Amir from Hassan that was written six months earlier; and Amir

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted December 1, 2010

    HIGHLY RECOMMENED- YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!

    I definitely enjoyed reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini because it was really interesting, and the story was very deep and unforgettable. It's hard for me to believe that this is a fictional story, because it seems like it actually happened, it's realistic. I liked how the author portrayed Amir's thoughts, and how he changed throughout the book. I think it is cool how Sohrab is just like his dad, Hassan- he is very precise with sling shots, and it was awesome how he fulfilled Hassan's threat that was made to Assef long ago. This book had a good catch, an unexpected touch to it.
    In the beginning of the story, it shows how peaceful everything was until the monarchy. This story reminds and shows us how Afghani people have struggled to violence and war back then, and it may still threatens their lives today. It was extremely terrible how Hassan and his wife were killed by the Taliban, leaving poor Sohrab all alone, and how Amir had just found out he was his half brother in the end of the book. Amir had begun as a shameful, guilty young boy- he hid money under Hassan's mattress to frame him for stealing so Baba would make him leave. But towards the end when Amir goes to Kabul to find Sohrab, his friend Farid drives him to places. Amir stays as a guest at Farid's brother Wahid's house. Amir sees that Wahid's family is very poor, so before he leaves, he hides a wad of money under their mattress to help them. This time Amir does the same deed (hiding money under a mattress) for a different, good reason- to help Wahid's family. When he was younger, he did it to get away from the shame, and not live with Hassan. Amir grew as a character. This really stood out to me from other stories. I don't usually read historical fiction, but this book was fantastic and very meaningful to me. I would surely recommend this book to kids in high school, or older. This is a good book for a high school student because it is the level for high school students, the story relates to history, and it can teach people about the history of Afghanistan. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars for its touching story, and great grasp of history.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 8, 2010

    This book is very good, you need read this book!

    The story begins with the protagonist, Amir, during December of 2001, reflecting on his past childhood in Kabul, Afghanistan. He begins to look back on the year of 1975 and remembers himself climbing a tree with his servant, Hassan, who was also his best friend. Amir would always read one of his own made up stories to Hassan under their favorite pomegranate tree Hassan being a servant of Amir and Amir's father, Baba, lived in a mud hut with his father, Ali. Not only being a illiterate servant, but Hassan was also a Hazara, which was ethnicity that was executed and treated poorly in Afghanistan.

    Because he was a Hazara, some boys in Amir's neighborhood (Assef, Kamal, and Wali) picked fights with Amir and Hassan. In a confrontation with Assef, Amir was being threatened by him; Hassan held a slingshot which was aimed at Assef's eye. Reluctantly, Assef and his gang retreated but he left saying that they would pay. As a result of being a slave of Amir and Baba, Baba loves him and his father, Ali, like they were his son and brother. Because Baba loved Hassan like his own son, Amir began to envy Hassan and a rivalry between them was born, although Hassan was unaware of Amir's jealousy.

    During the winter of 1975, Amir and Hassan are in a kite running contest, which is a popular sport in Kabul, and Amir ends up winning the fight and then Hassan goes to get the kite. Amir goes after Hassan and finds him in an ally way cornered by Assef, Wali, and Kamal. They want the kite from Hassan, but Hassan says that it is Amir's. So Assef rapes Hassan. Amir watches Hassan getting raped. As a result they slowly became separated and Hassan and Ali left. Throughout the story he the memory of letting Hassan get raped haunts him.

    In 1981, the Russians invaded and Amir had to escape from Kabul with his father. Once they escaped, they left for Fremont, California. Financially they were barely getting by. While working in an Afghanistan market, Amir finds his, soon to be wife. After he gets married to Soraya, Baba died of lung cancer. In 2001, Amir found out that Hassan's son, Soraub, was in Afghanistan and he went to go get him. After he found him, Assef, who was now a Taliban official (Russian soldier), and fought him because they had "unfinished business. Later After the fight, Amir adopts Soraub and the story ends with them having a kite fight in San Francisco.

    The main themes of the Kite Runner are: jealousy and redemption. Redemption is shown throughout the whole story. For instance, when Amir realizes that Baba doesn't whole heartedly love Amir because Amir wasn't anything like him, he tried to redeem himself by winning the kite fighting contest. Also, when Amir found out that Hassan's son Soraub is suffering in Kabul, he goes to save him for atonement for himself from being a coward and letting Hassan get raped. For instance, when Amir saw how Baba treated Hassan so well and how he viewed him like his own son.

    The graphic detail of gruesome deaths and the morbidly twisted situations that get side characters killed was the only thing that I didn't like about this book. I enjoyed how realistic the plot was and how complex the storyline was. It made the book interesting with the story changing to different locations and how life continues going on, even though someone may die. I would have to rate this book about 5 stars because it had a very good plot and I recommend this to people who like a tragic story that ends with a happy, positive

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 29, 2010

    Incredible story

    This is such a great story. Helped me to have compassion for the people suffering from the Taliban and then the problems they have as immigrants. Sad in many parts. Great tale.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 19, 2010

    The Reviews Don't Lie...

    I'm still grateful I got this book for only $1 at the library! Looking at the front cover, binding, back cover, and first few pages, it's filled with good reviews from all over. I say that the book is simply amazing in every way, shape, and form. I could write about it forever, but it is a must read! It's not understandable how a book can make you so emotional. I admit, I cried... a lot. I love this book! I wanted to hold on to every page.. even with rereading a lot of parts, I finished the book in a matter of days.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 31, 2010

    Definitely a unique piece of literature!

    When my class was first assigned this book, we all sighed in a chorus. But after reading it, we all feel in love. This book tells the story of two young boys and their relationship. One of the boys lives the high life and the other is his servant, but they are best friends. One day a tragic event occurs which changes everything. Suddenly both their worlds are changed and as the plot progresses we see the overall meaning of the friendship between the two of them. This novel touched me deeply and gets down to the point of the conflict that is occurring in the Middle East today and we see how the people living there are just like us in many ways.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 21, 2010

    Thoughtful and Touching!

    I recently read The Kite Runner, a novel by Khaled Hosseini, and was blown away by the images he could paint in my mind, his thoughtfulness, and his ability to show a country that has been relentlessly criticized and slandered from a different perspective.
    Afghanistan really came to life for me in this novel. Events and situations were so detailed and precise that I found myself able to picture the scene in my mind down to the style of sunglasses the Taliban member was wearing. Paragraphs that were meant to haunt me, haunted me. Sections that were meant to shock me, shocked me. Khaled Hosseini did an excellent job getting his points across. In all the best books, the readers feel pain when the characters are in pain, feel relief when the characters are relieved. I cried, laughed, sighed, and smiled countless times throughout this novel.
    I was extremely impressed by how concise the novel was. I could tell that Khaled Hosseini thought about every word he typed out. Every page, paragraph and word was carefully thought out and had an important meaning to it. Nothing was ever there just to take space. I never got bored while reading, because every part of the novel there were barely any wordy and unnecessary sections.
    Before reading this book, the only thing I new about Afghanistan was that it had crazy terrorists who wanted to destroy America. I never realized how much the country as a whole was suffering. The Kite Runner talked about Afghanistan through native eyes, and I was able to look at each situation from a different perspective. For example, I used to think that Afghans respected the Taliban. From this novel, I realized that they obey out of fear, not out of respect. This made me able to empathize more with them instead of blaming them for events that happened because of their rulers. Why is there always a prosecution AND a defense in a trial? There are always two sides to every situation. The Kite Runner tells Afghanistan's side of the story when no one else dared to.
    The Kite Runner will scare you, shock you, and haunt you. It will bring both tears of joy and tears of sorrow to your eyes. More than that, it will show you a different facet of the situation we've been hearing about for years. It will allow you to take a look from inside the war zone. It will harshly knock you to the ground with its gritty realities and then carefully help you back up again with its story of love, redemption, and compassion.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 13, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    A beautifully haunting story

    The Kite Runner left me at a loss for words. The story is great. It's totally worth reading. But this is probably the most depressing book I've ever read. Not depressing in a bad way, the story is just emotionally difficult. It is a beautiful and gritty story of a boy's life and the guilt he must overcome. The story has some great plot turns (I even said "holy crap" out loud when I got to them), and is superbly written. Hosseini has written quite a masterpiece-impressive for this being his first novel. This story is filled with horrible things, although not entirely graphic. Hosseini describes horrible acts in such a powerfully impacting manner, but he doesn't resort to gratuitous description to achieve his impact. Hosseini's characters are so deep and well-thought out, that I found myself postulating how these characters lives would have been different had they made different choices. These characters came alive in me, and I suddenly felt as if I was reading a non-fictional account rather than fiction. I wanted their lives to turn our differently, and I wanted Afghanistan to turn out differently. I wish Kabul was spared the Soviets and the Taliban, and that children were still out kite fighting and eating kabob.

    This is a must read. It is an amazingly deep story that deserves plenty of time of thought and discussion. It is a new classic that should be in our future children's high school literature curriculum. Beautifully written, and a beautifully haunting story that will stay with me for a long time.

    Concerning the Illustrated Version: The photographs are a nice addition to the book, but the pictures do not directly correlate to the story (as in "The Da Vinci Code" Illustrated Version). There are sections of photographs, much like a non-fiction book where the pictures are centered in a group. I enjoyed looking at the photographs as they did relate to the story, but I would not miss them if I was reading the regular non-illustrated version. However, the Illustrated Version is a little nicer all around, including a nice jacket and embossed pattern on the hard cover, as well as thick, glossy pages. This is a wonderful gift book or addition to your library if you are a book person like me. But if you'd just as soon toss a book once you're done reading it, then I would stick with the regular mass paperback edition.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted August 24, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    A book unlike the many i have read.

    This novel is not what you expect. Its a complete dose of reality, and exposes you to what really goes on in other parts of the world. It brought me to a point of tears. I will never forget the characters in this novel.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 16, 2009

    Wonderful book

    One of the best books I've ever read; I simply could not put it down. After reading this one, I bought A Thousand Spendid Suns which was equally as good.
    Excellent author.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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