Kite Runner Case

Book: The Kite Runner

Batool Ali March 10, 2005

Tags: book

Book Review

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Publisher:

Every now and then, a book comes along that makes you think. Kite runner affected me in ways I had not anticipated.

Based on the story of two friends growing up in the Afghanistan, the long forgotten Afghanistan of beautiful architecture, peace and song, the book takes one into the mind of the protagonist Amir who loves flying kites and making an impression on his striking, domineering father. It is the kinship between Amir and his friend Hasan that forms the backbone of the plot and exposes the class, ethnic and social issues that Afghans and perhaps all South Asians face even today.

The Kite runner is a book of fiction but in the depths of the fictitious characters lie deep, entrenched problems of our society, the legacy of the Taliban, the little known massacres of anonymous Hazaras in Afghanistan, the servant-master relationship, the pains of living a life full of fear and the devotion of one Hazara boy to his young master.

The Kite runner is a book that subtly exposes what our history books conceal and does so in a personal, very emotional way that makes for mesmerizing reading. One feels sympathetic towards the characters in a way that you want to help them, release them from their misery, rescue them from the shackles of imprisonment and childhood depression as well as sexual abuse. Amir and Hasan are the quintessential friends who despite class differences, cultural distinctions and parents come together and reunite.

The book is a tear jerker and for good reasons. Hussaini masters the art of capturing the moment, and succinctly describing