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#Post#: 127--------------------------------------------------
The Kite Runner: A Life Changing Book (Avital Benyamini '15)
By: SharonShaji Date: February 20, 2013, 8:06 pm
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A compelling read, The Kite Runner, by Khaled Housseini, is
truly a life changing moment when read. Filled with profound
motifs and themes, the most prominent of them being the
persistence of the past, the main character is haunted by his
actions as a child that remain with him throughout his lifetime.
The protagonist, Amir, stood idle as his best friend Hassan was
beleaguered and raped by a gang of high classed, preeminent,
wealthy boys. This was common in Afghanistan where the social
hierarchy was completely imbalanced. Hassan was a Hazara, the
ethnic minority in Kabul, Afghanistan, and to support and help a
person of this faith was completely decried. From this moment on
in the book, Amir's life completely changes. Overcome with
guilt, he and Hassan drift apart. When the king of Afghanistan
is overthrown by the Soviets, the streets of Kabul become a
war-zone and a threat to all civilians. As a result, Amir and
his father take the long, dangerous journey to California to
escape persecution and monstrosities that were soon to come.
Only after Amir's father dies, does he find out the Hassan was
his half-brother and that he and his wife were killed by the
Taliban. Hassan's son, Hassan, was staying in an orphanage in
the perilous streets of Kabul, emaciated from the dearth of
supplies. Overcome with guilt that has followed him since
childhood, Amir cannot let go of his past actions that have
predetermined this unfortunate outcome. He alone feels
responsible for the death of his half-brother Hassan, recalling
the day when he did not stand up for Hassan, something Hassan
did numerous times for him. Amir becomes defined by his past,
and the only way to make things right was to go back to the
dangerous streets of Afghanistan and bring Hassan to California.
Through his journey, Amir goes through life-threatening as well
as many surprising, ironic situations. His life becomes
redefined when he goes back to his homeland, flooded with
childhood memories.
I can truly say that my perception of how a little action can
change a whole outcome of events has been completely redefined.
Something as little as not helping a friend can truly compromise
their future and leave you wondering what you could have done to
make the situation right. The thought of making good decisions
follows you, as Amir's guilty past haunted him, making you
become rather an advocate of helping people out. Amir becomes
the perfect example of how one should strive to make the past
right, fixing any wrong-doings. Many have read the first
chapter, putting it down feeling it was too explicit and fervor,
but I would like to efface this platitude by saying that this
book is rather prodigious. It must be read without a provincial
thought, a mind open to different cultures and traditions. I
strongly encourage you to try this book for it will change your
perceptions and elucidate the right path of life.
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