The Kite Runner
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Afghanistan, 1975: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
My thoughts:
First of all, I cannot believe it’s taken me so long to finally read The Kite Runner. The novel follows the story of a wealthy boy named Amir who grows up playing with his friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Hassan is a loveable child willing to do anything for his friend and the two boys are inseparable. This story is one of friendship, betrayal, love, redemption, and family.
The boys are desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament, but soon after, their world changes and they are ripped apart. Unfortunately, something terrible transpires on that day that Amir refuses to acknowledge witnessing.The boys are forever intertwined by this single moment of betrayal and the enduring power of guilt and redemption.
Years later, after fleeing with his family to America, Amir realises that the one thing his new world cannot grant him is redemption, and he must return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to finally find his way “to be good again.”
The author paints a very vivid picture of a country about which I know very little - it was both interesting and shocking. The plot of the story itself is brutal - simple, but very powerfully written. Due to some of the content around sexual abuse, I feel that this book is suitable for mature teens and adults but would advise being aware of triggers warnings including rape, child sexual abuse, suicide, public executions and child sex trafficking before reading.
Set against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan, Hosseini weaves together the story of the two young boys, Amir and Hassan, as well as a small group of other characters. Through vivid prose and rich character development, Hosseini takes readers on an emotional journey, exploring themes of family, identity, and the search for atonement. With its gripping plot and powerful storytelling, this is a really touching read. The Kite Runner is a timeless classic that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Overall reaction:
First of all, I cannot believe it’s taken me so long to finally read The Kite Runner. The novel follows the story of a wealthy boy named Amir who grows up playing with his friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Hassan is a loveable child willing to do anything for his friend and the two boys are inseparable. This story is one of friendship, betrayal, love, redemption, and family.
The boys are desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament, but soon after, their world changes and they are ripped apart. Unfortunately, something terrible transpires on that day that Amir refuses to acknowledge witnessing.The boys are forever intertwined by this single moment of betrayal and the enduring power of guilt and redemption.
Years later, after fleeing with his family to America, Amir realises that the one thing his new world cannot grant him is redemption, and he must return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to finally find his way “to be good again.”
The author paints a very vivid picture of a country about which I know very little - it was both interesting and shocking. The plot of the story itself is brutal - simple, but very powerfully written. Due to some of the content around sexual abuse, I feel that this book is suitable for mature teens and adults but would advise being aware of triggers warnings including rape, child sexual abuse, suicide, public executions and child sex trafficking before reading.
Set against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan, Hosseini weaves together the story of the two young boys, Amir and Hassan, as well as a small group of other characters. Through vivid prose and rich character development, Hosseini takes readers on an emotional journey, exploring themes of family, identity, and the search for atonement. With its gripping plot and powerful storytelling, this is a really touching read. The Kite Runner is a timeless classic that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Overall reaction: