The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Book Review

The Kite Runner 

By Khaled Hosseini 

Genre : Afghanistan, classics,good-prose ,2023-read, Historical Fiction 

Rating 5/5 

This story spans the time period from 1975 to 2002 threading its way through Afghanistan and America. The story sees the country of Afghanistan peaceful in the early to late 1970s, struggling and haggling under the tyranny of Russia through 1980s and stifling under the overtake and rule of the Taliban. This is one of those countries where going back to a peaceful past is no longer possible. Even those who were acquainted with that period are running in short supply. May God help and provide for the still suffering. There is little that we as spectators know of these countries and the plight of such people unless books such as these - although fiction - are written and Khaled Hosseini is a crusader for their cause!!

This book has proved to be a challenge for finishing in one read. I remember vividly the number of times I gave it a pause, took a break, shaking my head either at the raw emotions it stirred up in me or at the gross unfairness of something which happened in the story. Very sincerely I wished and prayed for a silver lining to appear and for there to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the character Hassan and his family. He has been thoroughly wronged and no amount of guilt - without redemptive action - is going to be enough I felt. The text is easy - as a breeze - to read but the content - loaded with many emotional triggers - is not.

Thinking of countries like Afghanistan, I used to have the notion that its all incessant fighting and Taliban crackling like fire on dry grass which is the country. This book relates the woes of innocent victims to such harshness of treatment and how those who once lived a content and respectful life are reduced to begging and all kinds of deceitful modes of living. Low caste people are treated like  scum and ruthlessly swatted. 

Coming to the story. Amir and Hassan are tied to each other in a knot since childhood. Amir is the master's son and Hassan in their servant's son. The social distinctions apart, they are also separated by Amir's insecurities and his jealous desire to be the only loved child of his father. Then something really bad happens to Hassan when they are 10-ish and though Amir could have helped him, he doesn't. He runs away and pretends to not know anything. This guilt runs through his life like an invisible strings gnawing at his heart. At a future date, long after Hassan and Amir are separated, he learns something about their relationship and tries to set things right. Undo his past mistake and undo his guilt. Every page kept unwinding in an unpredictable way and I kept wishing and wishing that it would all end well.  Well, given the circumstances. And at the end it does. So I reconcile! Very brilliant work. Hosseini painted a picture that overcomes language distinctions and strikes right at the humanitarian core of all. :)