The Kite Runner
by
Khaled Hosseini
I always have a stack of books that I want to read, usually one stack around my desk and another on my nightstand; then there are the books resting vertically, on their perspective shelf, in its’ bookcase, to visually remind me that I want to get to that particular book. Periodically, I will go through and rearrange the stack, either adding something new, or bringing something up, from the bottom of the stack, to the top, making it next on my list. Then there are books, like The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, published in 2003, which though I want to read, thus I purchased it, I also do not want to read, and thus it goes from the stack in the bedroom, to the desk, to the bookcase, and then back to the bedroom, to once again begin a rotation of avoidance.
Before I bought the book, I had some idea of what the story was about, in particular it dealt with a boy being raped, and a friend who watched as the violence occurred, and did nothing – not exactly a happy read; and thus my avoidance tactics. Nevertheless, The Kite Runner is very much worth the emotional investment required to embrace this powerfully haunting story, which begins in Afghanistan, right before the Soviet invasion in 1979, and continues in Pakistan, and the United States over the span of more than twenty years.
The title refers to an activity mastered by Hassan, one of two boys who dominate this story, and the child who is raped. He is the son of a man-servant, who works for the second boy’s father, and narrator of the story, Amir. Hassan and Amir are dear friends, with Hassan deeply loyal, brave, and strong; willing to endure torture for Amir, who is weaker, though older, and desperately trying to please his father, who fears Amir will lack a character of conviction as he grows to be a man.
Amir is overcome with guilt, having watched Hassan be raped, knowing that Hassan endures this indignity and horror in order that his rapist will not steal Amir’s kite, a prize for having won a local competition. Amir tears himself away from Hassan, and sets about to destroy not only their friendship, but there father’s ties to each other – eventually, the war will give Amir what he thinks he desires.
The two boy’s lives will take very different paths, though neither ever forgets their shared childhood. Hosseini weaves a tale of imperfect people and redemption, while shining a light in the darkest part of the human soul. He reminds us that sometimes, the only thing that makes a family perfect is that its members simply do not fit in anywhere else – you find perfection in the imperfection.
This book is well worth the read, with its characters which you will not soon forget. Do not let your copy sit around like mine has – open its’ pages and let yourself take this journey to eventual triumph.
