Book Review #3- The Kite Runner.

After finally finishing the last section of, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, a historical fiction novel telling the story of a man making sacrifices to payback his best friend/ half brother Hassan, a Hazara. In the beginning of the story, we see Hassan and Amir playing together throughout their childhood. Yet, when in public, Amir feels ashamed of Hassan being a Hazara, as a result, he takes advantage of Hassan and treats him like the servant he is supposed to be. Amir frequently liked to tease Hassan for not understanding certain things such as what a certain word means. Although Amir feels this way at times, he also knows that Hassan is and will always be his best friend.

Later on, after winnning the kite tournament, Hassan chases after the second place kite in honor of Amir. In doing so, he gets raped. Amir goes out to look for him and finally sees the eyes of a sheep pleading for help, Hassan. It was a matter of loyalty and fear. Fear had overcome him and Amir left.

Years later, Amir finds out that Hassan has died yet his son, Sohrab is in Kabul at an orphanage waiting to be rescued. To earn Hassan's forgiveness, he chooses to find Sohrab and return him safely to new parents. Amir faces different obstacles that he must overcome to find the suffering child. By the end, Amir becomes fond of the kid and feels that it would be right to bring him back to America with him.

Amir killed Hassan. Not directly but theoretically yes. If Amir had helped Hassan the day he was getting the kite for him, Hassan would not have had to leave Baba and Amir. Amir's fear overcame him. Now, Amir promises Sohrab that he will never be put in an orphanage again. He has failed him also. Sohrab attempts to commit suicide but is saved by doctors. Amir almost caused the death of Sohrab by breaking the promise.

Back in America, Amir flies a kite with the mute Sohrab. After their victory, Amir asks Sohrab if he would like the losing kite. He shook his head. Amir chases after it saying, "For you a thousand times over."

Throughout Amir's life he has always been pampered. Everybody doing things for him. Especially Hassan. Every time Amir would need something important, Hassan would reply, "For you a thousand times over." Later on Farid says the same quote. By the end of the story, it is now Amir's turn to do favors for Hassan's son. This is his repayment to Hassan. The only thing that could revive their lost friendship. Doing the thing that Hassan did all his life. Now it was Amir's turn to return the favor.

This book has left me speechless and I was very upset when I finished it. I look forward to reading A Thousand Splendid Suns on my own, another novel by Khaled Hosseini.