The Kite Runner--Book Review

We hope you will find at least a book or two to read from these selections.

Note from Jane: Joel and I were reading this book simultaneously and decided we would both review it. Below are both reviews.

The Kite Runner Illustrated Edition . Khaled Hosseini. Riverhead Hardcover; Illustrated Edition. 2007.

Book review by Joel
This is probably the best book I've read this year. It is a tearjerker for sure. Keep some hankies close by. This is an inside look at the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and how it effected a family and a country. And especially the journey externally and internally that the main character Amir takes to become a man.

Starting out as kids, Amir and Hassan (Amir's servant) playing as friends and flying kites. Amir's father, Baba is distant and a little harsh to Amir. Baba wants Amir to grow up and be successful like himself. Hassan and his father Ali work for Baba and have been with the family 40 years.

There is a very troublesome story from Amir's point of view. Amir acts shamefully towards Hassan, and this starts in motion the catalyst for the drama of the story. But in the middle of this is the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and Amir and Baba's escape to America. Eventually Amir travels back to Afghanistan to redeem himself (although unwillingly).

This is a very good powerful story. I read this after I saw the movie, and now the movie makes much more sense to me. I recommend reading this book even if you've seen the movie.

Joel.

The Kite Runner Illustrated Edition. Khaled Hosseini. Riverhead Hardcover; Illustrated Edition. 2007.

Book review by Jane
After crying during A Thousand Splendid Suns, I cried again reading The Kite Runner. I find both of Khaled Hosseini's books to be touching. The best part about this one, I think, is the way the Afghan culture comes out more profoundly than in A Thousand Splendid Suns. I think this may be because the book centers on the male viewpoint, and they have more influence on the culture than the women of the area. I really don't know, it is just a guess. However, I did learn quite a bit about Afghan culture and the impact in America as well as Afghanistan. Also, I learned a lot about the recent history of Afghanistan.

I loved this book as much as A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I would definitely say it is headed to be a classic, and that it makes for very good reading. This is one of those books that would be worthy of owning a copy. After reading both novels, I find that there is a pattern to the author's books. He seems to bring about more than one story and mesh them so that they flow. I liked reading about the young Amir and Hassan and then again about the adult Amir and the young Sohrab. It all comes together, kind of like life ends up doing, but usually with stories, we just get a slight glimpse into someone's life. I can't say enough about these books, and recommend them to anyone, even if the Afghanistan culture makes you uncomfortable because of the distance between America and Afghanistan. I have not traveled very much, especially outside of the U.S., and I found the Afghan story to be an eye opener.

Jane.

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