" I understand that "Kim" is generally considered Kipling's greatest novel. I personally, however, found it less than great. There are some aspects of it that surpass any other works I can think of. Primarily, this would be in its description of India. The people, the places, the customs are all described in rich (which might also be unduly drawn out) detail. I think the story attempts to be a coming of age tale, although in this it fails to impress. One is much more likely to enjoy Kim as a young ruffian with a Tom Sawyer swagger than as the weary and aware young man he seems at the end of the book. Then, too, there is the religious aspect of "Kim." Kipling displays the range of Indian religious sects by introducing characters who are Hindu, Muslim, and Christian (the latter only as the militaristic and slightly dull-witted guardians of Kim at his necessary but tedious school training). His main portrayal, though, is of Buddhism as exemplified in the Tibetan Lama whom Kim befriends. By the end of the book, I could not help feeling it was almost a piece of Buddhist propaganda, so frequent were the references to the Wheel of Life and earning merit. But perhaps I am the wrong sort of reader to enjoy this book anyway. It certainly seems a "boy" tale, and I am sure a more thorough understanding of the intrigues of the British Empire would have made the reading more enjoyable. In seeking out secondary commentary to help my reading, I found out about "the Great Game" between English and Russian intelligence agents. Suddenly things made more sense! Unfortunately, it did not help increase my interest much. Pehaps Kipling's wild appeal in his own day is to the detriment of its appeal 109 years later. "
— Heather, 2/18/2014