Would you recommend this book to another reader? Why/Why not? What kind of person would you recommend it to? What would you tell the person about the book?
I would recommend The Kite Runner to another reader, in fact, I already have! This novel is full of beautiful imagery, dynamic characters and an exciting plot. I would recommend this to anyone who loves getting sucked into a book. Anyone who loves getting lost in a story. Anyone who wants step away from their lives for a moment and take a walk in someone else's shoes.
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| Kabul, Afganistan |
All I have ever known about Afghanistan is what I have seen and read in the media. The author of The Kite Runner gives us an intimate behind the scenes glance into the lives of people who lived in Afghanistan during the 1970's. The story paints a picture of what life was like during that time, from favourite past times of children to the everyday routine of families. We are given the opportunity to experience the feelings and emotions of the main character as his life is turned upside down when the king of Afghanistan is overruled and the country break out in war. This quote describes Amir's first experience with the warfare "We stayed huddled that way until the early hours of the morning. The shootings and explosions had lasted less than an hour, but they had frightened us badly, because none of us had ever heard gunshots in the streets." Not only has this story captivated me, it has educated me.
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| Warfare in Afghanistan |
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| Kite running in the Fall |
Describe a problem faced by the main character. Explain how the main character deals with the problem. Make a personal connection to this (either your own experience or that of someone you know).
The main character, Amir, is faced with a huge problem: Himself. Amir is constantly at battle with himself. Throughout the story he always seems to second guess himself or is unhappy with his choices or actions. When Amir teases Hassan or when Hassan takes responsibility for something Amir has done, he is aware of what he has done, and always feels guilty. An example of this is presented here, ""Yes, Father," Hassan would mumble, looking down at his feet. But he never told on me. Never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor's dog, was always my idea." We also see foreshadowing of Amir's feelings of guilt at the very beginning of the story "That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years."
The concerning part of Amir's problem, is he does not deal with it. Amir is constantly internalizing his guilt and his uneasy feelings. From what I have read, this must have to do with a lot of the mental anguish he goes through. Similarly, I find myself doing the same thing. Although I cannot relate to Amir's bullying, I feel a connection with the frustrations depicted when Amir knows what the right thing to do is, and he doesn't do it. For example, when Amir witnesses Hassan being harassed or beat up he doesn't do anything to stop it. Far too often I will witness something that I know is wrong and I don't agree with, like someone being rude, and I don't step up and say something. It eats me up inside when I ignore the angel on my shoulder and listen to the devil. It would seem as though Amir and I both need to work on gaining some courage to stand up to people and doing the right thing.
