The Kite Runner

This is the second time I read The Kite Runner and it really helped me focus on the author, Khaled Hosseini's, style.

I noticed how Hosseini took the time, and brilliantly, set up the whole book to make you understand the causes and motives for the plot. I ended up analyzing the characters psychologically, rather than just reading the book as a story.

For instance, Amir's love-hate relationship with his father. It seemed strange that Amir would do anything to please his father, but at the same time would despise him. When I first read this book, it took me a long time to like Amir because of what he did to Hassan; the second time I read this book I loathed his father and felt pity for Amir. Although what Amir did was not right, I felt his father was the backbone of his actions. It seemed that Hassan turned out to be the "perfect" boy because of Ali's unconditional love.

Anyway, I liked annotating this book for the Arabic words that I learned. This summer I worked at a Lebanese restaurant and the owners would speak in Arabic a lot of the time so it was cool that I was able to make a connection. I would also have to file papers from people that worked in the restaurant and I would see names like Nader or Rahim that were mentioned in the book. It made me feel like I understood the culture better.

My favorite part of the book was the end when Amir finally redeemed himself and flew a kite with Sohrab. Even though I felt so much sorrow for Sohrab, I'm so glad he had a chance to live freely, without being oppressed because of his race.

Reading this book again reminded me that I need to read Khaled Hosseini's other book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, because he is such an amazing author...Thanks!