Kim, a 13-year-old British orphan boy, was born in India. His widowed father, who served in Queen Victoria's army, was a hopeless, pathetic drunk who died. Kimball O'Hara, the poorest of the poor, mostly lived in the slum streets of Lahore in the Punjab (now part of Pakistan). Sometimes, the child would stay with an old Indian woman addicted to opium. Naturally, he preferred the outside, begging for money to stay alive and survive day to day.

Later, while playing with his friends in front of a museum, Kim met a strange Lama from faraway Tibet. The monk was seeking information about "The River of The Arrow". Legend had it that Buddha himself shot an arrow in the sky, and when it landed, a river miraculously appeared. Anyone who bathed in the water would have all their sins removed and become pure again. However, the problem was that nobody knew where this stream was located. Kim impulsively decided to follow Teshoo Lama and became his disciple in reality. He wanted to have fun and exciting adventures, and he was also tired of the city.

But first, his friend, the mysterious Afghan horse trader Mahbub Ali, who worked for the British as a secret agent, had a message for Kim to deliver (a dangerous mission) to Colonel Creighton, the head of the British spy agency, and he would get well paid too. War would occur in the north, as it always did, here, instigated by the Russians. Travelling by train, they encountered a colorful group of people inside. All of India seemed to be going in them. Kim began to love the mad monk and the old man likewise (the father he needed, the son he lacked). Still, the road was endless, and the odd pair was not successful in finding the river. They were tired and discouraged.

Then, the two accidentally encountered Kim's father's old regiment. Against his will, the boy was detained and made to attend a British school. After three long years, the kid learned to read and write in English, grew to enjoy learning, but never forgot the monk. Given six months to go with his friend and resume their impossible, strange quest, the lama had visited numerous Buddhist shrines waiting for Kim. Many unlikely incidents happened on the road, even arriving near the mighty Himalayas. Greatly helped by a rich, cantankerous, kindly woman, the Sahiba, as they went and saw this unique land, spies were everywhere here, with unknown dangers. But the real story of this book is India. As Kim asks... who is Kim? Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Jains, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, British or Indian. That question can be answered very easily. Kim is now a man who loves India....You will too if you read this novel.

IL RAGAZZO CHE NON VOLLE FARSI RE

Kimball O’Hara, the protagonist of this captivating story, is an orphan with a complex background. His father, an Irish sergeant, married an Indian governess, and after their deaths, Kim was raised by an Indian woman. He is a unique blend of races, both white and indigenous, which gives him a special perspective on the world. Kim is known as the ‘Piccolo Amico di tutto il Mondo’ due to his curiosity and openness. He loves to travel, explore, and learn about different people and cultures. He is constantly on the move, along the Grand Trunk Road, accompanying a Tibetan lama on his pilgrimage and at the same time, being trained as a spy for the British Empire.

The story takes place during a time when the British and Russian Empires were vying for control of Asia in what was known as the Grande Gioco. Kim finds himself in the middle of this political turmoil, having to make difficult decisions about his future. Will he follow the path of the lama or dedicate himself to the British secret services? The answer is not clear, but one thing is certain: Kim will not let any opportunity pass him by. He will continue to play the game of life, always learning and growing.

Overall, this is a story of adventure, mystery, and self-discovery. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure story or is interested in the history and culture of India and Asia. The vivid descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the events make this book come alive, and the character of Kim is one that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.

Truly, I would not recommend this to anyone. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the quality of the product or service in question is simply not up to par. It fails to meet the basic standards that one would expect, leaving a lot to be desired. Secondly, the experience associated with it is rather disappointing. There are numerous glitches and inconveniences that one has to endure. Thirdly, the customer support is lacking. They are unresponsive and unhelpful when you encounter problems. All in all, based on these aspects, I firmly believe that it is not something that I can recommend to anyone. It is a waste of time and money, and there are far better alternatives available in the market.

It takes a significant amount of time and effort to truly understand this book, but it is undoubtedly well worth it.

I had the pleasure of listening to this book being read by Madhav Sharma while following along with the ebook. If you wish to do the same, then Madhav Sharma is the narrator you should listen to! I sampled all the available narrators, some of whom are masters that I am quite familiar with, but none could come close to Madhav Sharma. He masterfully molds the story of "Kim" into everything that Kipling intended it to be.

I naively kept waiting for the big conflict, the major rift, the huge disaster to really draw me into this book. However, about halfway through, I realized that none of those would come because this is a story about relationships, contrasts, and coming of age. It delves into the themes of trust and mistrust, love and loss, devotion and betrayal. It is not a story to be rushed through, but rather one to be savored and contemplated. I found myself listening to and then relistening to many chapters as I read along in the ebook, which is easily obtainable for free. I could never have enjoyed just reading this book, mainly because of the strange names that I could never understand or pronounce correctly, and also due to my total ignorance of the native inflections that Mr. Sharma so skillfully performed, and which add so much meaning to the story. On the other hand, I could never have just listened to it because many of the words, being unfamiliar to me, would never have made sense no matter how well pronounced without my seeing them and in many cases, looking them up. Following along with the written word was the best of both worlds for me and really enhanced my understanding of the book.

Beautifully written with a beautiful moral, it is no wonder that this book is a classic. I don't usually reread fiction, but I will probably read this one again.

Rating: 3 stars

Originally released: 1901

WARNING: Racist language

This work, which was first made available to the public in 1901, has received a rating of 3 stars. However, it is important to note that it contains racist language. Such language is not only offensive but also goes against the principles of equality and respect for all. In today's society, we strive to create a more inclusive and harmonious environment where everyone is treated fairly regardless of their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. The presence of racist language in this work serves as a reminder of the prejudices and biases that existed in the past and the need for continued efforts to combat them. Despite its rating, we should approach this work with a critical eye and use it as an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead in the fight against racism.

I think it wasn't the right time to read this book. And the edition, with so many notes, didn't help either.

The setting is good, and sometimes it's interesting to read about countries that we hardly know, but I can't give it a higher score.

I will try to read it again in the future to see if my opinion changes.

Perhaps when I have more background knowledge or a different mindset, I will be able to appreciate this book better.

For now, I have to admit that it didn't quite meet my expectations.

However, I'm still open to the possibility that it might have more to offer than what I initially saw.

Maybe it's one of those books that requires multiple readings to fully understand and enjoy.

Only time will tell if I will come to a different conclusion about this book.

Ależ to było męczące!

[można już zacząć na mnie złorzeczyć, jestem gotowa]

After reading classic young adult literature and promised spy games, I was hoping for at least worthy action. I lost hope for a good time long after the first hundred pages. Later, I plunged into India like the heroes. The search for the River of Fire by the old lama interested me as much as last year's snow. Maybe for more religious readers, this journey could contain an important lesson, but I don't belong to them. The adventures of Kim, although not particularly interesting, allowed me to finish this book, and in the middle, I really wanted to give up.

I know it's a classic and all, but I'm not going to pretend that I liked it just because it's supposed to be good. Although India is not within the scope of my interests, I kind of regret not getting more immersed in this atmosphere.

5/10

Although somewhat overshadowed by Orientalist ideals and British colonialism, "Kim" is an enthralling tale of espionage and adventure that appeals to kids of all ages, from 9 to 99. It makes for an exciting read that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats. However, I do wish that Kipling had been a little less prejudiced towards the Empire. Nevertheless, it is probably the zenith of his writing for children, at least in terms of character and plot development and complexity. The story follows the adventures of Kim, a young orphan, as he navigates the dangerous world of espionage and politics in colonial India. Along the way, he meets a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed and engaging. Overall, "Kim" is a classic work of children's literature that is well worth reading.

I conducted a search for "Simon Vance" (my absolute favorite narrator) in Hoopla, and Kim emerged.

This is truly a MASTERPIECE of narration. With Vance speaking all the voices, his inflections are simply exquisite. I found that I couldn't merely listen to this audiobook. There were far too many unfamiliar references that seemed to ricochet off my brain. At the same time, I also couldn't simply read the print version. When Vance's voices fell silent, the story lost its luster and became flatter than a puff pancake. So, I resorted to reading with both my eyes and ears.

This is a novel that delves deep into the theme of identity. Young Kim is a biracial orphan, and his key survival skill has been to effortlessly slip into different cultures, much like one changes clothes. He constantly asks himself What am I? Mussalman, Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist? That is a hard knot.

One aspect that I thoroughly relished was Kipling's continual use of a literary device known as the catalog, which is a list of things. For instance, while Kim is in a British school,

Kim yearned for the caress of soft mud squishing up between the toes, as his mouth watered for mutton stewed with butter and cabbages, for rice speckled with strong-scented cardamoms, for the saffron-tinted rice, garlic and onions, and the forbidden greasy sweetmeats of the bazars.

READING SEQUENCES: As a result of having read Kim, I now have a strong desire to read Puck of Pook's Hill.

Kim served as inspiration for my novel "The Game", the seventh entry in the Mary Russell series.

It's truly a remarkable work that combines various elements. It's a coming-of-age tale, a historical treatise, a spy thriller, and a travel narrative all in one. The story is told in a rich and glorious English that would make Shakespeare proud.

Read aloud the opening line: "He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam-Zammah…" The short, powerful phrase immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the stage for an exciting adventure.

Rudyard Kipling, who spent his formative years in India, created a world that is both vivid and complex. His characters are a mix of caricature and fully realized individuals.

Kim is both easy to read and hard to digest. It presents a world view that is typical of the English Imperialist era. While it may not be a "profoundly embarrassing" novel, it does open up a rich vein of discussion on colonial responsibilities.

For those interested in the background of the story, Peter Hopkirk's Quest for Kim is an excellent resource. It provides valuable insights into the real life paradigms for Lurgan Sahib and Colonel Creighton.

Overall, Kim is a fascinating and thought-provoking novel that continues to engage readers today.

Kim is a book that holds a special place in my heart. Although I had never read it completely before, I had attempted it twice and given up. But this third time was different.

The reason for my success this time was that I had completed my own spiritual journeys, which gave me a new and more empathetic perspective on the journey described in the book.

Many Indians have written about Kipling, often negatively. But imagine writing and publishing a book about British India while being away from the country for five years and still creating a masterpiece. I firmly believe that Kipling had a heart for Hindustani. He was an Indian (from Lahore) at heart.

Regarding the book's dynamics, it's a slow read. The writing is concentrated and complex, and the lines are not easily understood in one go. I had to re-read sentences, paragraphs, and pages to appreciate Kipling's writing, my own country, my countrymen, and our traditions.

The book surprises and embarrasses you, making you realize how little you know about your own country. But you don't mind the embarrassment because the book is written so beautifully.

You let go of the embarrassment and soak in the beauty of your country, which should start a journey of humility.

Purists or reading experts can read this 300-page book quickly, but where's the fun in that? The joy of the book lies in slow reading and re-reading.

I can only admire the well-crafted machinery that is the book Kim, created by Kipling. It takes you to many places, including Lahore, Amritsar, Delhi, and more.

The book follows the journey of Kimball O'Hara and Lama in search of the Sacred River. It can be seen as a journey of transformation for Kim and a spiritual journey.

Along the way, you meet many memorable characters, and there is also a significant portion dedicated to the Secret Game.

This is a must-read book for every Indian. I'm ashamed to admit that I hadn't read it before, but I look forward to re-reading it. For now, I have Peter Hopkirk's Quest for Kim lined up.

Cheers!

Reto Popsugar 2016 - #33: Clásico del siglo XX

This is a coming-of-age story that takes place in Imperial India. It follows the life of an Irish orphan who is raised in this exotic land. The novel is of a picaresque nature, centering around a 13-year-old boy who is as curious as a cat, full of wit, and has an aversion to school and work. He helps a lama simply because it is something new, and engages in a dangerous game, much like how Kipling painted this exotic land through his eyes.

The boy reflects, "The sahibs don't enjoy traveling. Hai mai! I go from one place to another like a ball. It's my kismet. No one can escape their kismet. But I have to pray to Bibi Miriam and I'm a sahib." He looks at his boots sadly and says, "No, I'm Kim. This is the big world and I'm just Kim. Who is Kim?" He begins to consider his own identity, something he has never done before, until his head spins. In the noisy turmoil of India, he is an insignificant person traveling south towards an unknown destination.

-RTC-