The Kite Runner

This week I read The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini. This book was absolutely riveting. It entails on the internal struggles of a young Afghan boy, Amir, as he fights for his father’s attention, right and wrong, and how to deal with a changing world. Amir’s mother dies during child birth and he thinks that this is one of the reasons his father doesn’t approve of him. His servants, Ali and Hassan, a father and son duo whom which the father has been with Amir’s father since childhood and Hassan who is one year younger than Amir play a crucial role in the development of Amir. Also, Rahim Khan, Amir’s father’s best friend and business partner seems to be more of the father figure and the one who understands Amir the most. This book gives a vivid description and insight into what Afghanistan used to be before the Taliban and also what the Taliban has done to the entire culture. The things that are profiled in this book are just astonishing and it makes you realize how lucky we are to be living in a society where you can look someone in the eyes without fear they will shoot you or your family. Afghan people have to endure many struggles throughout the day just to survive. The Kite Runner describes more than just Amir’s stories and struggles to be at peace with himself and with the people who were there for a good portion of his life. It is a haunting peak into everything that isn’t the United States.