Book Reviewed by:   

Name: Rahul Goel

Mailid: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Title:  The Kite Runner
• Author:  Khaled Hosseini
• Publisher:  Bloomsbury Publishing
• Year of publication: 2003

Comments:

‘The kite Runner’ is the first & debut novel of Khaled Hosseini. In his very first novel, he spells bound the reader with the story revolving around the friendship of two characters: Amir & Hassan, growing together in the Afghanistan. Amir is the son of a wealthy businessman and Hassan is his servant’s son but in reality, an illegitimate brother. Hassan has two exceptional qualities: he can track any kite just by looking at its shadow & he shoots with pin-point accuracy with his catapult. Every time there is some trouble, it is Hassan who saves Amir from that. Even the Amir wins the kite flying competition because of his help. During this competition, Hassan is sexually assaulted by another Afghan boy, Asif who represents the animosity for the Hajara people (A minority class) like Hassan in Afghanistan. Despite all the help, scarifice, affection & true friendship, Amir becomes jealous of Hassan because of his qualities & the appreciation Hassan received from Amir’s father. He compels Hassan & his servant father to move out of the home.

          Not much later, Afghanistan is attacked by Russia & Amir & his father have to leave the country & flee to U.K. where Amir marries with a Muslim girl. After the death of his father, Amir comes to know from his father’s old friend that Hassan is his illegitimate brother & he also has a son who is currently in miserable conditions in Afghanistan. Amir goes to Afghanistan where he witnesses the cruelty of Taliban in the name of Islam. Also, he faces his greatest rival, Asif, there & rescues the boy from his claws. He brings the boy home & starts caring for him just like Hassan did it for him.

          Overall, this book is a story of a person who at first, runs away & then in later stage of life, faces it with great bravery. The events between the two friends will compel you to cry your heart out. One movie with the same name has also been shot based on the same novel.