The Kite runner by Khaled Hosseini

"The Kite runner" debut novel of Khaled Hosseini. This edition of the book is published by Bloomsbury Publishing in 2013 and has 352 pages. Khaled Hosseini Is an Afghan-born American novelist and physician. This is his debut novel and he has written two more after this

This is the story of Aamir, a motherless child born in 1964-65, to a wealthy father. They live in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ali and his son Hasan are Hazara's and are their servants. Hasan is also a close friend and confidant of Amir. Amir is also close to Ibrahim Khan, business partner of his father. One day there is a kite tournament and timid Amir unexpectedly wins it. Hasan is a kite runner and he runs the last kite Amir cuts for him. But something terrible happens and they do not remain friends anymore.

After Russian occupation, Amir and his father flee to America and start a new life. Ibrahim Khan calls Amir to meet him one last time in Pakistan after 15 years. A secret is revealed.

What marked the end of their friendship? Is Amir repentant? Does he marry? What career does he choose? Who had betrayed whom? Can he reunite with Hasan? What was the secret? Will there be a redemption?

Character of Amir is the most important character. His refusal to acknowledge Hasan as friend when confronted, his possessiveness about Hasan, his repentance about not standing by him in his hour of need, his anger at his own cowardice, his attempts to forget everything, his return to his roots and his attempt at redemption is all captured beautifully.

Khaled's description of war ravaged Afghanistan, the destruction it has caused, the resultant loss of business, loss of jobs, consequent poverty and level to which human beings stoop when defeated by hunger melts your heart but it is also objective at the same time. Readers start thinking 'what have the poor Afghans done to deserve this treatment'. When economy, way of living and life comes to a standstill, hollowness occupies all the spaces. There is no future, no destiny and no hope.

Afghanistan before and after war and the difference of life is depicted powerfully. The period in America is relatively slow and less interesting. Hearts of the readers goes out for Sohrab and they wish him well.

Why Amir's father leaves Hasan behind, why Hasan's letters never reach Amir and why there is little to no control on Afghanistan Pakistan border remains unanswered. I was surprised to find that there are a lot of words common in Hindi, Urdu and Farsi.

A very good book. A must read.