Book Review : The Kite Runner

"The Kite Runner" is a novel based book written by Khaled Hosseini . The author was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to the United States in 1980. His two novels including "The Kite Runner" and "The Thousands Splendid Suns" were international bestsellers and were published in 34 countries. His recent novel "And The Mountains Echoed" Is also getting publicity internationally. 

The Kite Runner was published in 2011. Its story revolves around Amir, Hassan, Ali and Baba (Amir's father) along with many side characters. The protagonist (Amir) experienced all the thick and thin of Afghanistan's political disturbances. He observed the change of political setup from monarchy to dictatorship, Soviet invasion, Taliban's autocracy and American's bombing in Afghanistan. From time to time, Khaled emphasis about the Afghan culture, its uniqueness and its individuality. To quote Hosseini's words:

"The Hindi kid would soon learn what the British learned earlier in the late 1980s: that Afghans are an independent people. Afghans cherish culture but abhor rules."

This story also points towards dedicated love and patriotism of Afghani's people which was unaffected whether they live away from their beloved homeland. This was expressed through Baba's behavior who while living in San Francisco couldn't forget his country. He was spending rest of his life in America with Amir but had hatred and harsh feelings towards American. His words truly depict his feelings:

"It's easy to be clever when you're holding a loaded weapon."

The same was the condition of General Taheri (Amir's father-in-law). He lacked interest in American business and was zealous to go back to his country to serve it with his services.

This story is not just based on a single topic but a plethora of them. It indicates the traumas people faced, it points out the child molestation from which Hassan went through from Assef and his companions and was raped by them. The child harassment was also expressed by Sohrab's character (Hassan's son). From time to time, the story tries to teach different lessons:

"War doesn't negate decency. It depends on it, even more than in times of peace."

"A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer."

"A man who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything."

"When spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time."

The language of this book is also engaging and captivating. Standard English is used in it educating us with a lot of knowledgeable words. The expressions used are also amazing.

"Lifting him from the certainty of turmoil and dropping him in a turmoil of uncertainty."

"A sorrow as black as outside invades me and I feel my throat clamping."

"Perspective was a luxury when your head was constantly buzzing with a swarm of demons."

One more subject of concern in this book was sectarian hatred. The hazars had to face this hatred. The Pashtun ethnic group treated the Hazara ethnic group in violent ways. Their humanitarian rights were snatched and they were treated like dogs. This treatment was done openly and no Hazara could escape that. 

To summarize the story, it revolves around Amir who at that time was 12 years old and was always trying to win his father love. A kite competition took place and Amir considered it the only option to win his father's attention. His loyal friend Hassan; his half brother, the son of his father's servant and the best kite runner that Amir had ever seen, promised to help him in winning the competition. At that time, Amir was not aware that Hassan was his half brother, his illegitimate brother. He was just a Hazara servant. Well, Hassan always helped Amir out of trouble. For him, "a thousand times over". 

However, Hassan was raped by Assef on the way to catch the kite for Amir. Amir saw it all but remain hidden and silent. Later, Amir was guilty of that frustration. Thus, he made one more blunder by accusing Hassan and Ali (Hassan's father) of stealing. Baba was aware that Hassan was his son so he tried to stop them a lot but till time Ali got aware of all the happenings with Hassan and insisted to move away. After some days, war broke out in Afghanistan and Amir along with his father flew to America. They tried to settle there and years passed. Amir married Soraya and Ali died because of cancer. Click of life remained tickling on when one day Rahim Khan ( Baba's business partner) called Amir and told him:

"There is a way to be good again."

Amir came back Pakistan to Rahim Khan and figured out that his health was deteriorated and he was aware of everything between Amir and Hassan. 

Ali, Hassan and his wife died in the hands of the Taliban and only Shorab(Hassan's son) was left. It was the time when Amir became aware that Hassan was his half-brother. He decided to save Shirab from Assef's cage became a Taliban's leader. So that he can repent for his and his father sins. He somehow was succeeded to do so with a lot of stories in between and the novel ends on a satisfactory note.