The Kite Runner

Kite Runner

This story is a touching tale of bravery and weakness, fathers and sons, friendships and betrayal. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini takes us on an epic tale from the final days of a respected Afghanistan monarchy to the horrific Taliban ruled Afghanistan of today. It reveals a greater understanding of traditional ways and the segregation of religions throughout this once noble land.

Our story begins in Kabul, Afghanistan in the 1970's. It was a time of change, because these were the last years of King Zahir Shah's 40-year reign as king. These were also the last few years of peace. After his cousin throws him over turning Afghanistan into a republic the country becomes a battlefield filled with Russian tanks and then the trigger happy Taliban. Our book begins in a magical world where the streets smell of lamb skewers and there are rolling hills with deep red pomegranate trees. Children run about flying kites and going to the cinemas to watch the latest lollywood film. Then his homeland soon turns into a prison. The painful story of abandoning his home because of the tank-strewn streets, being smuggled in gas trucks, paying his way out of the very country they loved.

Amir begins as our quiet 11-year-old Afghani who lives a charmed life with his rich estranged father, Baba, a large strong successful businessman with too much pride. Amir is our protagonist and also the narrator of our story. He is the first to admit that he is weak, jealous, and even spiteful at times. Constantly craving affection from his father, but the gap between the two seems too large to fill. He spends his days reading books and playing with his close companion Hassan, at the pomegranate tree.

Hassan is Ali, the family's servant, son. He a small illiterate child with slanted bamboo eyes. Born with a cleft pallet it seems that he is always smiling and has a bright outlook on the world. He is loyal to a fault. Especially when it comes to Amir, who seems to be his hero. He is Hazara, a despised minority in Afghanistan, but always seems to be the one sticking up for Amir instead of vice versa.

The plot of this book is simple yet complex. In Amir's childhood he had a loyal companion Hassan. Throughout his life Hassan protected him and served him and in most worlds would have been considered a friend, even brother. After a traditional Kite-fighting tournament, which too much surprise Amir won, Hassan was going to find the final kite that Amir beat as a trophy. Running through the streets Amir discovered Hassan being picked on by the neighborhood bully, and even witnessed