#6 - The Kite Runner

"Have at least one box of Kleenex ready before you begin..."  Thanks to my classmates for such good advice!  The Kite Runner definitely made me tear up a few times.  The themes of love, character, forgiveness, loyalty, dignity, and compassion run throughout.  Other themes of tragedy, war, and pain also appear.  Hosseini did a fantastic job of depicting life in Afghanistan during very difficult times, as well as providing a peek in the life of Afghans who were able to escape.  Note:  I describe highlights of the book here, so if you do not want to know details or the ending, you may not want to read this!

Hassan and Amir were best friends - as close as brothers.  They did everything together, and Hassan was the best at running kites...and teamed with Amir to win the city tournament.  Sadly, Amir made a decision to lose his best friend.  Amir's father warned him to sort feelings out quickly, but Amir didn't take it to heart in the right time.  Little did he know that he would spend the rest of his life always wondering what happened to him.  During the war, Amir escaped to Pakistan with his father, then eventually left for California.  Amir missed out on having his best friend at college graduation, his wedding, and his book publication.  On the other side of the world, however, Hassan missed out on being protected by and provided for by Amir, and his family life changed as well.  War would tear these two even farther apart, but would eventually turn the tables.  

"There is a way to be good again."  Amir's father's friend called to tell him that he was very ill and needed to come visit him in Pakistan.  This would be a big trip for Amir - threats of safety, leaving his wife unsure of his return, and missing out on his book tour.  But for him, the price of not going was higher than staying.  The friend told Amir about life since he left Afghanistan, ultimately letting him know that Hassan had been killed.  Hassan wrote Amir a note describing his life and his family, letting him know that he wished only the best for him and he would always be a faithful friend to him whenever he could return.   He included a picture of him and his son, Sorhab, in the letter.

Amir heard more details of the story from the friend, and ended up going to Afghanistan to get Sorhab -- his nephew.  It was a very dangerous mission, and the stakes were high.  Monetarily, physically, mentally, emotionally, safety.  The cost of not going was higher than staying in Pakistan.  He paid many of those prices and experienced what life was like in the land where he was raised.  After many horrific events, he was able to escape with Sorhab and return to America.  Amir shared many stories of Hassan with Sorhab and they flew kites together.  Amir was able to overcome his past, eat his pride, and be the loyal friend and brother that he never was to Hassan.  

The Kite Runner was excellent, and I highly recommend it.  The perspectives of life change, the values of life strengthen, and the relationships of life develop throughout the book.  At several points I stopped to ask myself what I would have done if I were in that same situation.  Many times I did not have an answer.  Just as Amir ended up doing the best with the cards he had been dealt, I hope that I would do the same.  Overcome obstacles, care for family and friends, and be the kind of person that I was created to be.