This book by Hosseini deserves all the attention that it has received.Not only he keeps the interest of the reader alive but also he leaves the reader asking for more,which is what makes him a successful writer from this first novel itself.
The story spans some three decades and has a flavor of all human emotions at its very core.Set up in Afghanistan, the story keeps pace with the changing backdrop.
The Story starts in a beautiful Afghanistan terrain where things are perfect for the ''pashtun'' boy Amir (born with a silver spoon).While Amir,the protagonist,has a tough time maintaining a good rapport with his father,his father's liking towards the Hazara servant Ali's Harelipped son-Hassan, is a cause of greater distress for him and we can see him trying real hard to emerge as the better one.
Hassan,the docile and intelligent Hazara boy shows blind obedience towards Amir. He finds joy in the simple things of life and shows a blend of courage and good character.A true friend as he is,he fights for Amir and takes all the blame on himself.He is also the best kite runner. Hosseini very successfully manages to get the reader's sympathy for this sorry character.There are times when the reader might wish that Hassan would take a stand for himself just the way he did for his friend.He comes across as someone very close to what our parents might expect us to be.
While the initial part of the story deals with Hassan's true friendship,Amir's betrayal and quest for his father's undivided love,the same changes once Hassan and Ali move out.With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan Amir and his father move to the states but even there the thoughts of his betrayal and his guilt continue to haunt him.It is at this time that Amir finds the love of his life "Soraya jaan".Hassan also marries a beautiful Hazara women and has a child named Sohrab. As the two move on in their lives, their anticipated meet builds up reader's interest and the novel loses a bit of charm when it is revealed that Hassan has been killed by the Taliban. However Hosseini is very quick in suppressing reader's apathy by bringing Sohrab in context.While there are some gruesome incidents in the latter part of the novel,Amir's change in character and his fight for Sohrab brings some solace.
The climax of the story comes when Amir comes to know that Hassan was his half brother.He brings back his nephew Sohrab to states with him but the little boy hardly smiles .
It is disturbing to think about children like Sohrab who've had similar ordeals but then this is the truth...there are so many Sohrab's for whom there is no uncle Amir.
The novel ends on a optimistic note when Amir finds Sohrab smiling slightly reassuring the reader ... that not all is lost.
The story spans some three decades and has a flavor of all human emotions at its very core.Set up in Afghanistan, the story keeps pace with the changing backdrop.
The Story starts in a beautiful Afghanistan terrain where things are perfect for the ''pashtun'' boy Amir (born with a silver spoon).While Amir,the protagonist,has a tough time maintaining a good rapport with his father,his father's liking towards the Hazara servant Ali's Harelipped son-Hassan, is a cause of greater distress for him and we can see him trying real hard to emerge as the better one.
Hassan,the docile and intelligent Hazara boy shows blind obedience towards Amir. He finds joy in the simple things of life and shows a blend of courage and good character.A true friend as he is,he fights for Amir and takes all the blame on himself.He is also the best kite runner. Hosseini very successfully manages to get the reader's sympathy for this sorry character.There are times when the reader might wish that Hassan would take a stand for himself just the way he did for his friend.He comes across as someone very close to what our parents might expect us to be.
While the initial part of the story deals with Hassan's true friendship,Amir's betrayal and quest for his father's undivided love,the same changes once Hassan and Ali move out.With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan Amir and his father move to the states but even there the thoughts of his betrayal and his guilt continue to haunt him.It is at this time that Amir finds the love of his life "Soraya jaan".Hassan also marries a beautiful Hazara women and has a child named Sohrab. As the two move on in their lives, their anticipated meet builds up reader's interest and the novel loses a bit of charm when it is revealed that Hassan has been killed by the Taliban. However Hosseini is very quick in suppressing reader's apathy by bringing Sohrab in context.While there are some gruesome incidents in the latter part of the novel,Amir's change in character and his fight for Sohrab brings some solace.
The climax of the story comes when Amir comes to know that Hassan was his half brother.He brings back his nephew Sohrab to states with him but the little boy hardly smiles .
It is disturbing to think about children like Sohrab who've had similar ordeals but then this is the truth...there are so many Sohrab's for whom there is no uncle Amir.
The novel ends on a optimistic note when Amir finds Sohrab smiling slightly reassuring the reader ... that not all is lost.
