The story came into focus one piece at a time-first the frigid overcast, then the pleasant view of San Francisco and finally the elegant voice of Hassan (his friend and half brother that he later discovers). "For you, a thousand times over", that echoed in his mind periodically as the kites danced gracefully in the tranquil view. The protagonist, Amir receives a truthful and profound message from Rahim Khan, his father's good friend. "There is a way to be good again" as the sage words left an after-thought in his mind as well as the bitter feeling of guilt due to his selfish treatment to Hassan. Flash backs of Hassan getting raped where he stood at the alleyway watching, where he could've intervened but for his own benefits he did not. The story branches off to his childhood, where his nostalgic and tainted memories awaited. During the time, he lived in a wealthy family in a mansion owned by his father, Baba. Khaled Hosseini vividly illustrates the lingering effects of guilt as demonstrated by Amir who was condemned and unable to escape the maelstrom of guilt until he finally atoned to his sins. The author uses colourful language to generate and imprint poignant images into the reader's mind. He also gives us a clear insight of the challenges in life for civilians in Afghanistan and the inhumane/brutal ways the Taliban's treat citizens. A main aspect that is incorporated in the text is redemption, the protagonist is on a quest to redeem himself and atone for all his sins. The goal is purge most of the guilt that remains for Hassan by equilibrating it with prestigiously angelic deeds.
The title of this book "The Kite Runner" refers to a traditional kite battling tournament that is held in Afghanistan. It comes in two portions "last kite flying" and "kite running" , each kite has a glass covered string, the goal was to cut down your opponents and be the last kite flying. Khaled Hosseini illustrated kites as recurring symbols in the story, as it symbolizes the nostalgia as well as the guilt that was felt by Amir. Each person had an assistant that was known as the kite runner, in this case, Amir's assistant was Hassan, he would chase down the last fallen kite (second place kite) and bring it back to Amir. It was the most coveted prize-a trophy of honour. "For you, a thousand times over", Hassan said as he left for the search while Amir reared in his winning kite. Amir decides to look for Hassan and finds him in an alley way, pant-less ,getting beat up and raped by Asseff and his followers. He had the urge to intervene but later backed off when he notices the last fallen kite in Hassan's arms. I was touched by how humble, generous and loyal Hassan is to Amir, despite the way Amir treats him. Hosseini shows the truth behind common human minds. It shows that avarice is able to overwhelm human feelings temporarily until you achieve what you desire, eventually you realize what you've done and the guilt that is packaged with it. This poignant section of the story was disturbing due to the imagery that it painted as well as the selfishness demonstrated by Amir; it is touching and sorrowful because of how benevolent and loyal Hassan remains in the midst of pain and relentless assaults. They say everyone surrenders to pain but Hassan didn't-a tangible sign of true friendship.
At the time, Amir was a coward, he wanted to please his father Baba and redeem for being the cause of his wife's death and feel proud. He was eventually haunted with guilt due to his selfishness and the how he treated his loyal friend Hassan. He tried to bury the past but was unable to, he tried making Hassan punish him but instead Hassan punishes himself and asks if Amir was satisfied. The more he wanted to rid his guilt, the more guilty he felt. He is embodied by a maelstrom of guilt, unable to escape until he atones to his sins. He finally attempts to frame Hassan for stealing his birthday money and when Baba asked if he stole the money, Hassan replied "yes". Cases of "empathy erosion" were also incorporated in the text which was portrayed by the Taliban's vindictive acts as well as Amir's desire to please Baba and be and gain veneration from many.
The story eventually leads back to the present. Amir gets married, but the guilt still lingers in his mind and cannot be forgotten. "There is a way to be good again", the words remained fresh in his mind. He returns to Pakistan and talks to Rahim in his journey for redemption. Lots of unfortunate events had taken place. It was unexpected and a sudden twist in the plot, thus leaving me shocked along with an after-taste that remained bitterly in my mind. The author planned the sequence of the story perfectly and utilizes literary devices sophisticatedly. He formed a plot that was unpredictable and perpetually kept suspense for his readers. It represented the real world-a state of flux, where it's nearly impossible to reckon. His only source of redemption , was to risk his life and everything he has to rescue Hassan's son Sohrab from Afghanistan. At the time, there was an on-going war, undiscovered land mines and Taliban's that roamed the street. He eventually finds Sohrab who is captured by a Taliban. He has a chat with a Taliban official and Sohrab is brought into the room. He then vicariously takes a beating and acts as a sacrifice in order to save Sohrab. Amir laughs and enjoys the beating because he is finally punished for what he had done. To an extent, guilt is worst then pain and Amir is glad to receive it as his punishment to cure his guilt. They escape with Amir barely clinging to his life. Amir heals with a scar on his upper lip which symbolizes Hassan and the sacrifice he has made. The significant quote "For you, a thousand times over" is repeated, remembering Hassan's loyalty. However, this time it is directed to Sohrab from Amir to pay his respects for Hassan and to show his loyalty as Hassan showed his to him.
Overall, the novel "The Kite Runner" was remarkably insightful and gives the reader a scope of the real world that far from our reach. It also tells us that there is a way to be good again, as long as you atone to your sins and redeem yourself for the evil deeds that you have done. It also gives us an awareness of the vigorous effects of guilt and how it feasts off your mind, leaving no pleasant days to come. In addition, the author's provocative writing was clear and well written, leaving lots of unforgettable imagery that stuck to my mind. This was an extremely touching masterpiece that was intense and upsetting at times, there were lots of twists and turns, at times it can give a warm tranquil feeling and later a depressing and saddening combination. It gives us a look of friendship, loyalty, survival, guilt and redemption-a potent combination. It is a compelling and an interesting novel that gives a closer look of humanity. It was an outstanding book to read, which is why I would rate it 4.5 stars out of 5.
The story came into focus one piece at a time-first the frigid overcast, then the pleasant view of San Francisco and finally the elegant voice of Hassan (his friend and half brother that he later discovers). "For you, a thousand times over", that echoed in his mind periodically as the kites danced gracefully in the tranquil view. The protagonist, Amir receives a truthful and profound message from Rahim Khan, his father's good friend. "There is a way to be good again" as the sage words left an after-thought in his mind as well as the bitter feeling of guilt due to his selfish treatment to Hassan. Flash backs of Hassan getting raped where he stood at the alleyway watching, where he could've intervened but for his own benefits he did not. The story branches off to his childhood, where his nostalgic and tainted memories awaited. During the time, he lived in a wealthy family in a mansion owned by his father, Baba. Khaled Hosseini vividly illustrates the lingering effects of guilt as demonstrated by Amir who was condemned and unable to escape the maelstrom of guilt until he finally atoned to his sins. The author uses colourful language to generate and imprint poignant images into the reader's mind. He also gives us a clear insight of the challenges in life for civilians in Afghanistan and the inhumane/brutal ways the Taliban's treat citizens. A main aspect that is incorporated in the text is redemption, the protagonist is on a quest to redeem himself and atone for all his sins. The goal is purge most of the guilt that remains for Hassan by equilibrating it with prestigiously angelic deeds.
The title of this book "The Kite Runner" refers to a traditional kite battling tournament that is held in Afghanistan. It comes in two portions "last kite flying" and "kite running" , each kite has a glass covered string, the goal was to cut down your opponents and be the last kite flying. Khaled Hosseini illustrated kites as recurring symbols in the story, as it symbolizes the nostalgia as well as the guilt that was felt by Amir. Each person had an assistant that was known as the kite runner, in this case, Amir's assistant was Hassan, he would chase down the last fallen kite (second place kite) and bring it back to Amir. It was the most coveted prize-a trophy of honour. "For you, a thousand times over", Hassan said as he left for the search while Amir reared in his winning kite. Amir decides to look for Hassan and finds him in an alley way, pant-less ,getting beat up and raped by Asseff and his followers. He had the urge to intervene but later backed off when he notices the last fallen kite in Hassan's arms. I was touched by how humble, generous and loyal Hassan is to Amir, despite the way Amir treats him. Hosseini shows the truth behind common human minds. It shows that avarice is able to overwhelm human feelings temporarily until you achieve what you desire, eventually you realize what you've done and the guilt that is packaged with it. This poignant section of the story was disturbing due to the imagery that it painted as well as the selfishness demonstrated by Amir; it is touching and sorrowful because of how benevolent and loyal Hassan remains in the midst of pain and relentless assaults. They say everyone surrenders to pain but Hassan didn't-a tangible sign of true friendship.
At the time, Amir was a coward, he wanted to please his father Baba and redeem for being the cause of his wife's death and feel proud. He was eventually haunted with guilt due to his selfishness and the how he treated his loyal friend Hassan. He tried to bury the past but was unable to, he tried making Hassan punish him but instead Hassan punishes himself and asks if Amir was satisfied. The more he wanted to rid his guilt, the more guilty he felt. He is embodied by a maelstrom of guilt, unable to escape until he atones to his sins. He finally attempts to frame Hassan for stealing his birthday money and when Baba asked if he stole the money, Hassan replied "yes". Cases of "empathy erosion" were also incorporated in the text which was portrayed by the Taliban's vindictive acts as well as Amir's desire to please Baba and be and gain veneration from many.
The story eventually leads back to the present. Amir gets married, but the guilt still lingers in his mind and cannot be forgotten. "There is a way to be good again", the words remained fresh in his mind. He returns to Pakistan and talks to Rahim in his journey for redemption. Lots of unfortunate events had taken place. It was unexpected and a sudden twist in the plot, thus leaving me shocked along with an after-taste that remained bitterly in my mind. The author planned the sequence of the story perfectly and utilizes literary devices sophisticatedly. He formed a plot that was unpredictable and perpetually kept suspense for his readers. It represented the real world-a state of flux, where it's nearly impossible to reckon. His only source of redemption , was to risk his life and everything he has to rescue Hassan's son Sohrab from Afghanistan. At the time, there was an on-going war, undiscovered land mines and Taliban's that roamed the street. He eventually finds Sohrab who is captured by a Taliban. He has a chat with a Taliban official and Sohrab is brought into the room. He then vicariously takes a beating and acts as a sacrifice in order to save Sohrab. Amir laughs and enjoys the beating because he is finally punished for what he had done. To an extent, guilt is worst then pain and Amir is glad to receive it as his punishment to cure his guilt. They escape with Amir barely clinging to his life. Amir heals with a scar on his upper lip which symbolizes Hassan and the sacrifice he has made. The significant quote "For you, a thousand times over" is repeated, remembering Hassan's loyalty. However, this time it is directed to Sohrab from Amir to pay his respects for Hassan and to show his loyalty as Hassan showed his to him.
Overall, the novel "The Kite Runner" was remarkably insightful and gives the reader a scope of the real world that far from our reach. It also tells us that there is a way to be good again, as long as you atone to your sins and redeem yourself for the evil deeds that you have done. It also gives us an awareness of the vigorous effects of guilt and how it feasts off your mind, leaving no pleasant days to come. In addition, the author's provocative writing was clear and well written, leaving lots of unforgettable imagery that stuck to my mind. This was an extremely touching masterpiece that was intense and upsetting at times, there were lots of twists and turns, at times it can give a warm tranquil feeling and later a depressing and saddening combination. It gives us a look of friendship, loyalty, survival, guilt and redemption-a potent combination. It is a compelling and an interesting novel that gives a closer look of humanity. It was an outstanding book to read, which is why I would rate it 4.5 stars out of 5.