Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Just finished reading Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Hosseini is a truly gifted narrator and must admit it’s one helluva novel for a debutant. The story spanning two continents and almost a generation and half provides us a wonderful insight into Afghan culture. Hosseini is blessed with the gift of irony as he leaves no stone unturned in plucking every cord of the heart with the complex web of emotions he weaves. I liked the manner in which he brings about the guilt in Amir that ultimately transforms an escapist into a hero. The story is beautifully divided in two halves – the first half of Hassan’s unflinching loyalty and Amir’s betrayal set in free Afghanistan and the second half of Amir’s journey of redemption in his war-ridden home land. It is with aplomb that Hosseini juxtaposes the extremes of sacrifice and betrayal, the Occidental and the Oriental, gentleness and terror.

The title of the book also makes me kindda nostalgic. It reminds me of my childhood days spent in eastern U.P. when we used to fly kites in the neighborhood and spoke words like “dheel”, “manja” and “lootna”. Kite running was then quite a passion among the boys. Sad it is to see today’s fast paced life leaving no room for the dying art of Kite Flying. Also wonder what it would be like for a man to be raped by a man. The very thought sickens me but the truth is it does happen in some parts of the world.