Kite Runner Book Review

A Review on the Kite Runner

Khaled Hossein’s the Kite Runner is considered a contemporary classic. The novel follows a maturation of male from Afghanistan, Amir who is in need of finding his way in the world soon after discovering that his own beliefs and systems are not same as those of his dominant culture. The settings employed in the book revolve around two different nations and cultures; Afghanistan and America. The Kite Runner illustrates the similarities and differences between the two cultures and can therefore be referred to as bildungsroman book. The Kite Runner is a book about the nature of evil both rights and wrongs. This paper aims at making an analysis of the kite runner illustrating its significance to understanding Afghanistan as a failed nation, focusing on stylistic devices, voice of narration and character development.

According to my personal perspective Afghanistan is a failed nation. Narration in the novel takes place in first persona aspect, with Amir doing almost the entire narration. The country is war-torn with soviets invading the country. Citizens are forced to run to safer grounds as is the case of Amir and Baba are forced to escape from Kabul. “There are a lot of children in Afghanistan but no childhood” (36).

This is a book about humanity, friendship, long for acceptance, cruelty, redemption, loyalty, and survival. The core setting of the book is on culture as it deals with universal issues. The novel illustrates Afghanistan as a failed country since its citizens cannot enjoy the freedom of having to enjoy their pride of the country. Afghanistan has no state of peace enjoyed by functional societies.

America unlike Afghanistan has forced individuals like Amir and Baba to settle for fewer functions in the community like selling one-eyed Barbies “some stories don’t need telling” (48). The book revolves around the aspect of growing in a privileged society. Functional societies are economically developed as compared to Afghanistan. On the other hand Afghanistan is blessed with aspect of brotherhood that functional societies don’t experience. Culture is what makes the book rich in creativity.

“A man who has no conscience, no goodness does not suffer” (56). In the kite runner, Hassan is the character who suffers the most, from the start of the novel to the end during his death. His civility is almost untrue to believe for a fictional character. Baba refuses to recognize him as his own son and favors Amir more. He sacrifices himself for the benefit of others. He reads Amir Storybooks as he has his breakfast; he helps Ali with his chores and shopping. Hassan is further raped by Assef depriving him of his social innocence. This creates the paradox of Assef as a religious extremist. Hassan has suffered under the hands of Amir.

Symbolism mainly the kite is a major stylistic device in understanding the book. Once the Taliban’s come to power kite flying is forbidden. This is because the Taliban’s have the guilt of betraying the people. The kites symbolize the attempt of people reuniting and the Taliban’s are in fear of having people uprising against them. Kites act as a reminder of the peace people enjoyed before Afghanistan was torn in to war. Just as the kite symbolizes Ali’s attempt to connect with Baba, it symbolizes the attempt of the people to form a rebellion against Taliban’s.

“It may be unfair but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day can change the course of a whole life time.” (60). Hassan has love for Amir despite his constant betrayal. This is because his father does not want to acknowledge him as his son. Hassan thus expresses his emotions through his love for Amir. Amir is a backstabbing character who is very manipulative. He also happens to know that he is the cause of Hassan’s misfortunes by planting a hound of cash under Hassan’s bed to have Baba strip Hassan of his love. In the end the world always wins

The novel is quiet educative and gives is readers a sense of moral courage. One gets to know that they can stand for their rights just as Amir did in his confrontation with Assef, in his attempt to save Sohrab. In conclusion I view the novel as an interesting piece of art that I would not hesitate to recommend to other readers due to the fact that it shows moral values and the need and strengths for redemption “In the end the world always wins, that is just the way of things” (88).

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