Kite Runner by Kholed Hosseini
The Kite Runner is a novel that tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, Afghanistan. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy through the Soviet invasion, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. The novel explores themes of betrayal, redemption, guilt, forgiveness, and the relationship between parents and their children.
The main themes of The Kite Runner are:
- Betrayal: The betrayal of a loyal friend by a wealthier, more corrupt “master” is a recurring motif in The Kite Runner, and Amir and Baba’s feelings of guilt for their betrayals drive much of the novel’s action.
- Redemption: The Kite Runner’s theme is forgiveness and remembrance. Amir has to forgive himself so he can make choices to fix his mistakes he has sinned from. He also needs to remember those he loved, even if it is painful, and his home, the place he “grew” up.
- Guilt: Good people feel the guilt of those mistakes. To overcompensate for the guilt, they do great work. True redemption is therefore, when guilt leads to good. In the end, God will forgive everyone.
What I Liked
Everything – this is everything a novel should be.
What I Did Not Like
Nothing – though be warned that you will cry.
- The novel effectively explores deep themes like betrayal and redemption.
- The characters are well-developed and relatable.
- It evokes strong emotional responses from readers.
- There are no cons, though be warned that you will cry.