The Kite Runner

The past cannot be changed, forgotten, edited, or erased. It can only be accepted. The Kite Runner book details Amir's efforts to put his early years behind him. Amir was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a prosperous family. Amir's home is the workplace for Hassan, a member of a lower caste. Amir and Hassan are of the same age and have played together since they were young. Even though they grew together, Amir found it challenging to acknowledge Hassan as a buddy in front of everyone. On the other hand, Hassan's father, Ali, and Amir's father were good friends. Even though Ali was a maid, Amir's father never treated him disrespectfully in public and thought of him as his greatest friend. Through Amir's life, author Khaled Hosseini transports us to an intense trip in Afghanistan.

After Amir was born, his mother passed away. Hassan's mother fled from his father because he is disabled and she is unhappy with him. As a result, another woman feeds Hassan and Amir. This was how their relationship began. Since they were young children, Hassan and Amir have enjoyed playing, laughing, and spending time together. However, Amir was a little reluctant to promote Hassan as a buddy to others because of his low-class background. Hassan's caste was treated horribly at the time in Afghanistan, and other members of the community saw them as their slaves. However, Amir's father had the exact opposite view. He treated Hassan and Ali as neighbours and as peers.

Amir had a stronger passion for books. His mother's book collections had an impact on him. His father hated this since he thought literature was only for the weak. A real guy ought to demonstrate his skill in football and other rough sports, including fights. Thus, he hardly ever showed an interest in listening to Amir's stories. However, Ali and Hassan thought highly of Amir for his imaginative writing and storytelling. In his free time, Amir would read the stories to Hassan. Hassan was not given the chance to attend school. All he did was play with Amir and assist his father with domestic chores.

When it came to flying kites, Amir and Hassan were specialists. They used to compete in a local competition every winter and place highly. In Afghanistan, it was customary to treasure the kites that fell apart during competition. The children will chase after those kites that got hit by another kite and store them in their showcase. They were referred to as "Kite Runners." Hassan did a great job catching the kites as Amir demonstrated how to fly them in the sky. He was well-known in his community for flying kites.

Amir defeated all of his rivals' kites during one of the winter festivals, taking first place. Hassan was thrilled when Amir cut the final kite and rushed to catch the kite that was falling. He also got the kite. At that moment, Asif and his group enslaved him on the way back. Asif hated Hassan's community members and has had his revenge. Taking advantage of the situation, Asif gave Hassan severe physical and sexual torture. Amir stood by and observed everything that was going on, refusing to get involved or rescue his friend Hassan.

Even though Hassan never inquired about this encounter with Amir afterwards, Amir felt very embarrassed. He hated himself for being a coward. He was too ashamed to face Hassan. He began to stay away from Hassan. He was unable to play with Hassan in the same way. So he came up with a plan to avoid Hassan- that is, to get Hassan out of his house. Using a cheap strategy, he forced Hassan and Ali to leave their home. What happened next? Was it possible for Hassan and Amir to reconcile and get back together? The story is advanced by the author by raising thought-provoking queries from the audience.

The story takes place during the Soviet Union's initial occupation of Afghanistan and the subsequent formation of Taliban rule. It also vividly illustrates how Kabul transformed over time and how individuals fled as refugees to Pakistan and the United States. This book presents the events that followed the Taliban takeover, including the removal of free speech, the mistreatment of women, the mass murder of the Hasara people, the exploitation of Afghanistan's resources, and the transformation of the general people into beggars.

Amir and his father fled to Pakistan as refugees when the Russian conflict broke out, and they went back to America. The author gradually shifts from Hassan and Amir's connection to the Russian-Afghan war and back to Amir's life in America. The changeover was seamless, causing little uncertainty for the readers. It is Amir who travels through the entire story. Amir found his life partner, Soraya, in America. The author skillfully developed the love tale of Amir and Soraya, as well as how each of them gained the support of their families. Amir had a relatively dull relationship with his father when he was younger. But in America, things started to shift. The relationship between the father and son flourished at the new place.

Amir's life in America was going great until Rahim Khan, a close friend of his father, brought him back to his past once more. For all his life, Amir was unable to break free from the shame of his past, which he was constantly trying to hide from. He learned about Hassan and the greatest mystery surrounding him through Rahim Khan. What followed next?

The entire narrative depicts Afghani life, including the struggles low-caste members experience in society, the injustices done to them, and many more heartbreaking details. The author challenges us to consider things from Hassan's and Amir's perspectives. Life is not fair to everyone. This story is a proof of that, and I am sure it will melt your heart. Do give it a read!