THE KITE RUNNER
by Kahled Hosseini
Reviewed by Nordeen Morello of Book-’Em
(November 3, 2004)Khaled Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner, is the
story of Amir, an Afghanian expatriate living in San Francisco
today. Amir grew up in Kabul as the only son of a wealthy and
respected widowed businessman, Baba, in a home with lower class
Hazara servants. Illiterate, "pure," and trusting Hassan,
son of their loyal servant Ali, is Amir's age, devoted
companion, and source of the secret conflict and guilt that
Amir will carry with him into adulthood. Now 39 years old,
married and a novelist, Amir narrates his story as a
flashback.
The Kite Runner is good storytelling! "After the first few
pages, I couldn't and wouldn't put the book down," said one
member of Book-'Em. This is a novel of substance in both its
story line as well as the historical and cultural chronicle of
Afghanistan that it offers. Several Book-'Em members were
struck by the contrast rendered on these pages between the
images we have of the country from Taliban and post Taliban
days and the earlier Afghanistan of Amir's youth. This enhanced
our appreciation and overwhelmingly favorable impression of
The Kite Runner. Our readers enjoyed the imagery Hosseini
crafts, especially that of the kite tournament with its
gaily dancing but dueling colored kites on the glass coated
strings which left scars of battle on the human palms below.
Our uniform criticism of the novel is that several of the
sub-stories and lesser characters were gratuitous, contrived
bids for a future Hollywood contract. Yes, we probably would go
see the film.
The evening's discussion centered on our feelings about Amir:
his character, values and behavior. Interestingly, we held
very different viewpoints. One member stated "I wasn't able to
think of him as the proverbial coward" while others not only
viewed him as "a wimp," but also actively disliked the
character. Several other members graciously offered
understanding and a defense of his flaws. But we again reached
consensus that Hosseini concluded with a poignant and hopeful
ending that redeems his character without falling into a fairy
tale "happily ever after."
This is a novel that deals with larger questions and issues:
racial and religious prejudice and persecution, guilt,
betrayal and redemption, familial bonds and obligations,
goodness and evil in the human character. It is also very much
the story of Afghanistan and its' people. We liked it for
engaging us, for touching us, for teaching us and for being so
readable. Book-'Em is fairly certain that it will work for
your next book club selection too.
FROM THE EDITORS: Find reviews contributed
by other local book clubs at: www.larchmontgazette.com. We'd
love to hear from other Larchmont book clubs and readers;
email us at publisher@larchmontgazette.com.
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