The Kite Runner

I chanced upon this title at a friend's book collection some months back, though I'd heard about it earlier. I was initially a little hesitant about reading this book, as I thought it might be a literary overdose. However, I did finally pick up both the books of the author Khaled Hosseini ('Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns') when I visited Delhi.

The book (Kite Runner) was simple, poignant and brilliant! The author has managed to recreate the average individual in Amir - weak with insecurities, yearning for recognition and acceptance (in his father's eyes) and his scruple gnawing at his heart awaiting redemption.

Hassan’s is a character closer to Bollywood – fiercely loyal and blindly forgiving. Though it may look filmly and slightly unreal, the strength of this character makes you cry, and I was no exception. Even moving out of the narrative, Hassan lives on in the character of his son, and perhaps thats the way the author wanted it to be.

The story and characters apart, some other things I liked most about the book: the author powerfully paints a vivid picture on your canvas and lets you live through the scenes alongside the characters, and quite often deep into their psyche as well; a first-rate account of the contrast of Afghanistan, before the Soviets and after the Taliban; the liberal use of pashtun words and phrases gets you closer to the characters; the Kite festival and its cult following.

For all those still ‘considering’ on whether to read the book – please do, it is highly recommended.

PS: I’ve just browsed through the first few chapters of the next book, ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ and it sure looks promising - equally powerful and moving... 'for you, a thousand times over....!!'