The Kite Runner

I heard about the author, Khaled Hosseini, on NPR when he read an excerpt from his new book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns". I was intrigued. I love stories that weave history into them so I learn about a culture and the events and politics of another place and time. I am still #356 on a waiting list through the St. Louis Library for "A Thousand Splendid Suns" but "The Kite Runner" came in within a few weeks of requesting it.

I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It was story-telling at its best. This is a first-person narrative of a privileged Afghan boy named Amir growing up right before the overthrow of the monarchy in Afghanistan and the years of devestation that followed... and continue to follow to this day. His best friend is actually his servant, Hassan, a Hazara, which is a discriminated, mainly Shia, ethnic minority in Afghanistan.

The book is beautifully written. It's very real and powerful. It's one of those that even when you're not reading it, you're thinking about the characters, replaying the events, and wondering what will happen next. As I said, it's very real. It's not an easy story... it's very harsh and gripping. Tears came to my eyes several times. I think because one is able to identify with the weaknesses and struggles of the character of Amir wishing that he would choose differently but relating to his struggles with the power of our own weaknesses. And one can only wish to posess the loyalty and unconditional nature of Hassan. Not everything wraps up nicely. But it is a story of redemption. And I believe that is what makes it beautiful.

Matt just told me that they are making a movie based on the book. That's great... but I am a little worried. I hope they don't cheese it up. I hope people will still read this powerful book. But since it seems movies are a huge conduit to give people get a good dose of history or a concept of social issues, I hope it will get the word out of things that have happened and that are continuing to happen in our rosy world. But before I turn this into a post about the non-existence of any semblence of important or ongoing education in this country or the tiny world view of Americans (which I of course am also guilty of), I will say goodbye! And read this book if you have a chance! :)


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1 comments:
lindsay corinn said...
i am definitely going to read that book sometime. thanks for the review. xo

September 13, 2007 8:21 PM