My wife made me read this for her birthday. I had a book-buying problem and had bought so many editions of it at library sales without reading it first. (I think she was either pleased or felt vindicated when I disliked it.)

Kim is a lesser “classic.” It's not well-written, and the story is lackluster.

“I am very poor. My father is dead—my mother is dead. O charitable ones, if I am left here, who shall tend that old man?” (p. 78)

Page by page, I was completely confused, unhappily lost in the details and bad writing. I could only get a broad sense of what was happening: Kim, a poor White orphan, became the disciple of a holy man from Tibet, and they went in search of a river of healing. Kim had a prophecy of a red bull on a green field. On their journey, they spared a cobra and then encountered the regiment of Kim's father. The regiment sent Kim to school, and the holy man paid for it. Eventually, Kim started doing government business. At one point, a Russian punched the holy man.

One of the main problems with the novel was the writing style, which made it difficult to follow, even within single paragraphs. There were countless paragraphs that I reread multiple times without understanding. Here are two examples:

\\n  Example Paragraph #1\\n“What need? I have told thee many times we but two souls seeking escape. He said—and he is just herein—that the River of Healing will break forth even as I dreamed—at my feet, if need be. Having found the Way, seest thou, that shall free me from the Wheel, need I trouble to find a way about the mere fields of earth—which are illusion? That were senseless. I have my dreams, night upon night repeated; I have the Jataka; and I have thee, Friend of all the World. It was written in thy horoscope that a Red Bull on a green field—I have not forgotten—should bring thee to honour. Who but I saw that prophecy accomplished? Indeed, I was the instrument. Thou shalt find me my River, being in return the instrument. The Search is sure!” (p. 277)

\\n  Example Paragraph #2\\n“Till the dawn, hour after hour, as the moonlight paled on the high peaks, and that which had been belted blackness on the sides of the far hills showed as tender green forest, the lama stared fixedly at the wall. From time to time he groaned. Outside the barred door, where discomfited kine came to ask for their old stable, Shamlegh and the coolies gave itself up to plunder and riotous living. The Ao-chung man was their leader, and once they had opened the Sahibs’ tinned foods and found that they were very good they dared not turn back. Shamlegh kitchen-midden took the dunnage.” (p. 302)

In conclusion, this novel failed to engage me due to its poor writing and confusing plot.

Borges tells that Kipling was criticized for two things: having written for children, like Stevenson, and being a singer of the British Empire. However, he comments that Kipling never sang the victories but the hardships, the works and the duties of an imperial destiny. For my part, I care little if he was a defender of the British Empire. He was a child of his time, and let the Pacha and his descendants claim it.

In 1901, Kipling published "Kim" and defined it as a picaresque novel, but essentially it is the story of the salvation of two men, one through the contemplative life and the other through the active one.
"Kim" is a novel of initiation - the journey of the young hero who starts being inexperienced and ends up becoming a man - but it is also a novel of spies. The GREAT GAME is an expression used to describe the rivalry between the British Empire and Russia during the 19th century. The British Empire sought to expand the Indian Empire and protect its interests there, while the Russian Empire wanted access to the Indian Ocean and the mineral wealth of Central Asia. From 1813 to 1907, England and Russia were enemies, although they never directly confronted each other.
"Kim" is a story that overflows with tenderness. The well-known African proverb says: "It takes a whole tribe to raise a child" and that is what happens with Kim. Being an orphan sahib (white), he forms his own tribe. They call him "Friend of the World" and it is true because people as different as a red lama, other sahibs, Mahbud Ali (a Muslim merchant), the babu Hurri, humble peasants, powerful ladies participate in his education and protect him.
The story of Kim and the spies advances with detailed descriptions of the people of India, a flowery language rich in images and surprisingly vivid. Kipling also does not skimp on detailing the uses and customs of different castes, gods, rituals, geographies, magics, enchantments and millennia-old Buddhist teachings.
I really enjoyed reading this novel.

It offers a captivating blend of adventure, cultural exploration, and character development. The vivid描绘 of India and its diverse people makes the story come alive.

Kipling's writing style is engaging, and his ability to create complex and believable characters is truly remarkable.

"Kim" is a classic work of literature that continues to charm readers to this day.

Kim is a remarkable novel by Rudyard Kipling.

It tells the story of a 13-year-old orphaned boy, Kim, who lives in the bustling marketplace of Lahore. He is white and British but has assimilated into the local culture, speaking several languages and dressing like a native.

Kim meets a Tibetan monk on a pilgrimage and decides to become his disciple. Together, they embark on a journey filled with adventure, intrigue, and self-discovery.

Along the way, Kim becomes involved in the "Great Game," a spy network between the British and the Russians. He also encounters a variety of characters, each with their own unique story and perspective.

The novel explores themes such as identity, culture, religion, and the pursuit of knowledge. It is a coming-of-age story that shows Kim's growth and development as he navigates the complex world around him.

Kipling's writing is vivid and descriptive, painting a detailed picture of life in colonial India. His use of language, including both English and Hindi vernacular, adds authenticity to the story.

Overall, Kim is a classic novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history, colonialism, or simply a good adventure story.

Despite its age, the novel still holds up today and continues to be relevant and engaging. It is a testament to Kipling's skill as a writer and his ability to create a timeless tale that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a good read, Kim is a novel that is well worth your time.

My relationship with Kipling is rather complicated. Now, having read his third novel, 'Kim', I think I've given up; he's just not an author for me. Perhaps not all of it is his fault. I decided to read him in English, and I believe that was a wrong decision because his English is anything but easy. It was peppered with Hindi terms (my edition had no footnotes), and he also makes extensive use of reproducing certain dialects or jargons... which, as a non-native reader, made it quite difficult for me.

On the plus side of the book, I must say that it captures the atmosphere of colonial India very well (aside from the paternalism), the mixture of all kinds of people who could crowd into a train carriage, for example, and it explores a good part of the cultural richness of the country. Moreover, discovering what 'the great game' was, which is the clearest antecedent to the Cold War (although in this case between Russia and the United Kingdom and centered on the control of Central Asia), was very interesting. I enjoyed the part dedicated to espionage the most.

But neither the plot nor the characters nor the author's style managed to convince me. It was like submerging myself in a journey where you weren't very clear about the destination nor did you enjoy the company too much.

COMPLETE REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojyTn...