The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
It was long back when I used to spend all my pocket money to buy Russian literature because that was easily available and cheap. That was the time when I fall in love with Russia. Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, became my world. The best thing about these books were the way writers used to portray their country. The struggle of ongoing world war, their hardships and above all the essence of their culture. I virtually lived in that era.
Now after all these years again I fall in love with another country. Afghanistan……and this is all due to a novelist Khaled Housaini. The Kite
Runner is his first novel and it is one of the most beautiful and wonderfully written novels of the era. It is not I was not aware of the country or its tough times, thanks to CNN and our own news channels, but it was never beyond a news or war associated with it.
The Kite Runner, is a simple story of Amir and his life in Afghanistan with his father. He lives a privileged life where his only companion is his servant Hassan. Father is an icon in himself and son hero worships him like any other ordinary boy. In his giant shadow he finds himself neglected and worthless. Somehow he could feel that father is disappointed in him and he never looses any opportunity to impress him or make him proud. Father’s love for Hassan who is Amir’s best friend too, makes him jealous and sad. A touching tale is woven around the father and son relationship.
Protagonist’s story of betrayal and friendship, his childhood, his dreams and heartbreaks and the burden of guilt to all his life are portrayed flawlessly and effectively. A tender love story entwined in between, the rituals, and the lively Afghani culture is depicted splendidly.
Pain of leaving his country and settling down in other, father and son’s struggle after relocation…story moves fast without loosing grip. The horrible after effects of the Taliban’s take over is written in heart wrenching manner, but without any distaste from writer. It leaves reader with a tender sympathy towards the sufferer instead of anger towards the situation. It fills readers with pity and helplessness to the extent that reader feels connected. Most of the events are depicted in such a way that it feels like watching a movie.
The determination of keeping word, the robust nature of Pashtuns, their family values, description of their culinary habits and the entire plot is so moving that reader flow with the current of events with ease. The characters of Rahim Khan, Soraya, and Ali add the strength to the book in a very natural way. The striking contrast between life of California and Afghanistan is written with such ease that reader does not feel lost between two.
I recommend the novel to all who has taste for some good reading.
By Khaled Hosseini
It was long back when I used to spend all my pocket money to buy Russian literature because that was easily available and cheap. That was the time when I fall in love with Russia. Leo Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, became my world. The best thing about these books were the way writers used to portray their country. The struggle of ongoing world war, their hardships and above all the essence of their culture. I virtually lived in that era.
Now after all these years again I fall in love with another country. Afghanistan……and this is all due to a novelist Khaled Housaini. The Kite
Runner is his first novel and it is one of the most beautiful and wonderfully written novels of the era. It is not I was not aware of the country or its tough times, thanks to CNN and our own news channels, but it was never beyond a news or war associated with it.
The Kite Runner, is a simple story of Amir and his life in Afghanistan with his father. He lives a privileged life where his only companion is his servant Hassan. Father is an icon in himself and son hero worships him like any other ordinary boy. In his giant shadow he finds himself neglected and worthless. Somehow he could feel that father is disappointed in him and he never looses any opportunity to impress him or make him proud. Father’s love for Hassan who is Amir’s best friend too, makes him jealous and sad. A touching tale is woven around the father and son relationship.
Protagonist’s story of betrayal and friendship, his childhood, his dreams and heartbreaks and the burden of guilt to all his life are portrayed flawlessly and effectively. A tender love story entwined in between, the rituals, and the lively Afghani culture is depicted splendidly.
Pain of leaving his country and settling down in other, father and son’s struggle after relocation…story moves fast without loosing grip. The horrible after effects of the Taliban’s take over is written in heart wrenching manner, but without any distaste from writer. It leaves reader with a tender sympathy towards the sufferer instead of anger towards the situation. It fills readers with pity and helplessness to the extent that reader feels connected. Most of the events are depicted in such a way that it feels like watching a movie.
The determination of keeping word, the robust nature of Pashtuns, their family values, description of their culinary habits and the entire plot is so moving that reader flow with the current of events with ease. The characters of Rahim Khan, Soraya, and Ali add the strength to the book in a very natural way. The striking contrast between life of California and Afghanistan is written with such ease that reader does not feel lost between two.
I recommend the novel to all who has taste for some good reading.
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