The Kites (Penguin Modern Classics)

Polish women rock. Dodgy & they still got us by the short hairs.

This is an engaging story set around the Second World War. There are lots of interesting characters and poignant moments.

This is a quite exceptional book. It is wonderfully well written; the story is beautifully told. As a work of historical fiction, it is amongst the very best. The pace of the book is consistent, the characters are alive and warm. The full kaleidoscope of humanity, from saintly to evil is represented in this book but the complexities and nuances of human emotion and response are woven in and integral to the story. Romain Gary committed suicide shortly after the publication of this book; what an epitaph.

A clever beautifully written novel which takes a while to ‘ declare Its hand ‘ but does so very effectively. It’s a whole new way of looking at the essence of France , the Resistance and the war. Memorable.

I can’t really put into words what I feel about this book. Beautifully and prophetically written. I will no doubt read this again and again.

Enjoyable, well written though more light-weight than I had expected. The translation is into US English, which is OK. However, it shows some lack of finesse; for example, some French expressions should not be translated into English: Cote d'Azur should not be translated into the Azure Coast; croupiers used "les jeux son fait" in English casinos as well as French, no need for "no more bets, please"; and while a "searchlight" is a "projecteur" French it is not a "projector" in English. This lack of knowledge or attention to detail is inexcusable especially in the translation of a novel that has intellectual retentions.

Member of as book club and it was a good read. Nothing more to say!

beautifully written a joy to read

Meine Tochter ist zufrieden

I generally don't write reviews, but this is the exception that proves the rule. This is the first work that I have read by Gary, and it was a breathtaking read. Romain Gary gives us a mesmerizing perspective on life, love, loss, despair, and happiness, wrapped up in the context of a love affair during one of the most horrible periods of modern history. What is even more interesting is how well Gary weaves in 'real' people and events, such as Pastor André Trocmé and Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, all while pursuing the theme of using memory and imagination as a weapon against oppression. Gary contemplates the human condition, questioning if inhumanity, as shown by Nazis and even by the French, is an integral part of being human. While I have not read the work in the original French, Mouillot's translation flowed organically. High praise for both the author and translator.

I felt the style somehow lacking in getting me to stick with the book, although I did to know what happens to the characters out or curiosity.The characters themselves are interesting and it does have a different take on your typical World War perspective but you still are somehow left wanting more in terms of juice!

Gary has a style that grabs the reader and does not let go until the last word. The translation is superb. There are timeless passages that are as relevant today as when they were written. Even though the end is somewhat predictable, getting there was joyous. This is simply a beautiful and moving story.

Enjoyed the book that was interesting and well writtenWant to read more of the same authorEasy to read as it has very short chapters