The Kite Runner Book Review

Posted by Lana on Apr 8, 2010 in Book Reviews, Books, Featured | 0 comments

Words that come to mind: honor, respect, betrayal, loyalty, redemption, father, son, atonement, love, hate, horror, pride, purity, salvation. There are many themes to The Kite Runner; and the plot is complex. It grows from simple family dynamics, to the unearthing of deeply intertwining secrets.

This book is rich in visual imagery. I felt as if could taste the food, smell the air. Even the descriptions of the wind and dust were explicitly detailed as if characters with a story to tell.

Khaled Hosseini’s first novel is a must read for everyone in my opinion. Even if you don’t think you care about Afghanistan’s fall from grace, you will after reading this novel. My heart ached as I read the words of Amir (the narrator), as he excruciatingly recounts the events from his past that lead him to revelations about his present, and future. A childhood friend, Hassan, is in the center of Amir’s haunted past. Hassan’s father is a servant to Amir’s father. Although they are servants, Ali and Hassan are treated like family. They are Sh’ia Muslim – Hazaras (known as second class citizens due to their mongoloid descent).

Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman, is a Sunni Muslim, a Pashtun. He loves to read, and has all the privileges of a wealthy boy living in the “most beautiful house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district.” Amir fights for his father’s (Baba) approval and affections as his only son. Baba is unhappy with Amir’s cowardice traits, and wishes he to be a great soccer player. Hassan is the strong one, the silent strength behind Amir’s obvious weakness.

You’re gutless. It’s how you were made. And that’s not such a bad thing because your saving grace is that you’ve never lied to yourself about it. Not about that. Nothing wrong with cowardice as long as it comes with prudence. But when a coward stops remembering who he is.. God help him. -Amir to himself

His Baba is well known for his kindness; even building an orphanage, and giving money to beggars on the street.

With me as the glaring exception, my father molded the world around him to his liking. The problem, of course, was that Baba saw the world in black and white. And he got to decide what was black and what was white. You can’t love a person who lives that way without fearing him too. Maybe even hating him a little. – Amir

Amir and Hassan grow up together, both motherless, roaming the streets of Kabul, causing innocent mischief, playing panjpar, climbing poplar trees, and forming a bond of brotherhood that seems unbreakable. But when Russia invades Afghanistan in the early 1980′s, Amir and his Baba escape to America. Twenty years pass before Amir is reunited with his past, by returning to Kabul during the rise of the Taliban to atone for his sins.

Kite tournaments held every winter were one of the most anticipated events for Afghans; especially the children. Amir would fly, Hassan would run. Hassan was the best kite runner around, possessing the knack for knowing exactly where the kites would land. The title of the book, The Kite Runner, is the embodiment of the underlying theme of the novel, beautifully intertwining the truths and consequences of the events that both shatter Amir’s world, and heals it in the end.

I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night. -Amir

Interspersed throughout the novel are two other pivotal characters which have great impact on Amir and his journey of self exploration: Rahim Khan, Amir’s father’s business partner, and Assef, the town bully.

Some parts of the story are agonizing to read. Twists of fate and kharma are ingeniously used throughout this story, allowing the reader moments of satisfaction before the next ensuing emotional blow.

Hosseini sheds light on the violence and inhumane treatment of the people of Afghanistan by their very own; not even children are spared the horrific acts of unimaginable cruelty. Along with the sadness, are rays of light that give his story worthiness and hope.

This novel grabs you by the heart, teaching you more than you ever thought you knew about the strong bond of family ties, loyalty, but most importantly– nang and namoos (honor and pride).

I give this book: [xrr rating=5/5]