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Book Review By J. Lee
Kim by Rudyard Kipling

Kim is one of Rudyard Kipling's best-known novels.

Kim grows up an orphan in the city of Lahore, then part of British-ruled India. He is so tanned and fits in so well, few realize he is in fact Irish.

One day, Kim befriends a lama from far-off Tibet, and is soon accompanying him across India in the holy man's search for the "River of the Arrow", whose waters will cleanse him of his worldly sins. On their journey, Kim investigates a British Army encampment and is caught. When the Army priest discovers that Kim's father belonged to his own regiment, it is decided that he must go to school. The lama arranges to pay his tuition at the best school, in Lucknow. During the school holidays, however, Kim doffs his European clothing and finds his lama.

Occasionally, Kim runs into his old friend Mahbub Ali, a horse trader (and spy in the employ of the British), and runs some unusual errands for him. Mahbub Ali arranges for him to get very special training, grooming him to become a spy himself so he can one day take a part in the Great Game played by nations.

One day, while Kim is with his lama, they encounter Hurree Babu, another agent for the British. Hurree Babu has managed to attach himself to two Russian spies to find out what they are up to. With Kim's help, he obtains the Russians' documents without arousing their suspicions (they think they have been set upon and driven away by angry natives for daring to strike the lama). On their way back, the lama finds his River of the Arrow.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - upbeat
Time/era of story - 1600-1899
Ethnic/Regional/Religion
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a teen
Ethnicity/Nationality

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 ()
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - India

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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