The Kite Runner

The author presents the reader with a serene, picturesque description of pre-war Afghanistan before the fall of the monarchy and the 1979 Soviet invasion. Hosseini, who portrays Afghans as a generous, gregarious people in a land where perhaps the only things more cherished than custom and tradition is loyalty and honor, has given a face to his country that until the events of September 11, 2001, have remained virtually unnoticed by the rest of the world. The deeply held mores and customs of the Afghan people that Hosseini so skillfully, yet simplistically weaves into his story also serves to enlighten the reader about Afghanistan.

Finally, it is the storyline itself that is truly memorable. The Kite Runner is ultimately a tale of friendship, betrayal and redemption - about how one person finally atones for the sins of his past. Filled with bouts of harrowing action and blissful calm, the novel verily elicits the entire spectrum of human emotions. Hosseini makes his characters quite real, very human, keeping them true to themselves, their personalities, although it is the protagonist, the primary narrator, whose character flaw is at the heart of this novel. Finally, I must admit that some parts of the story were predictable, but it does nothing to lessen the terrific tale told by Hosseini. The Kite Runner is a beautifully written story that will stay the reader long after many other stories have been read and forgotten.


Personal history Afghan / Muslin civilisation breaking down   December 27, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I read this book in bed being ill, which is about as good an opportunity to read as when on vacation. It was one of the most impressing books I ever read. Each time the story gives unexpected turns. The literary style is perfect (pardon my English, I'm not native speaker). It gave me insight in how minorities are discriminated and not allowed to have a real life. It shows the Afghan / Muslin civilisation breaking in pieces with the power vacuum being filled by Taliban and Sharia. The main person is a child who has to choose between trying to help his friend (a minority)who is being assaulted and saving his own skin. He decides to turn away. His feeling of guilt determines the sequence of events which merge with the recent events in the history of violence and dispair of Afghanistan. It is a book written in respect and with deep psychological insight.


What a wonderful tale   December 25, 2003
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

It has been a while since I last came across a story which reads almost like a memoir. The Kite Runner ranks amongst one of the most readable tale released this year about family/ friend betrayal, forgiveness, drift between master/ servant et al. It also allows a better understanding of the Afghan way of life- they are actually a bunch of closely-knit fun- and life-living people. The Afghan war may have taken place some 20 years ago and time may have faded some impression of the atrocities of that war. However, the description of how the commoner cope with life in Afghanistan during that war and the subsequent Taliban rule was made in simple language which actually make this book more powerful. I usually loathe reading stories on war because of excessive description of bombings, treason et al. This book looks at war from a commoner viewpoint. Are we all not glad that the Taliban has been expelled from the country. The sad thing is: it will take many years to rebuild the country, her people and her past glory.


Truly magnificent book   December 22, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Amir and Hassan grow up together in Kabul in the seventies. Amir is the son of a rich and influential man, Hassan the son of his handicapped but very appreciated servant. The boys seem inseparable, but despite everything there is always the difference in standing. And then on the day of the big kite competition in Kabul something happens that turns their friendship upside down. In the beginning of the eighties Amir and his father flee to America, where Amir marries and becomes a writer. But his past with Hassan is haunting him. Then he is called to Pakistan by the dying best friend of his late father and he finally hears the secret that changes the meaning of his past. In the end he has to go back to Kabul (which is now ruled by the Taliban) to come to terms with his past and save Hassan's son.

This is truly a magnificent book that grips you from the first page. It is awful and beautiful and contains every aspect of life: friendship, treason, love and a villain and gives wonderful descriptions of Central Asia and the Afghan culture as well.