The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

A stranger. She suggested me to read 'The Kite Runner'. As per her, she cried within the first few chapters and none of her friends could bear the story to the end. Obviously, I wouldn't trust her so easily; but, after reading the book, I couldn't agree more with her.

Amir, the major character and narrator of the story encapsulates the reader with vivid descriptions of Afghanistan, where he and his friend Hassan lived their childhood memories, some of which could be rejoiced whereas some would leave scars throughout their lives. Through many bittersweet memories of his life, Amir exploits his connection with his loyal but lower caste friend, loving but shared father, strong but never forgiving enemy and many others. As the story develops, through terrors of war in Afghanistan, struggle of refugees, his marriage, Amir, after many years faces redemption for his formerly damages. Brilliantly, the story makes him recollect and realize his betrayal and confusion of early life.

Touching me to the core, the book left me startled. I had to put the book down so many times as I couldn't bear the turmoil of emotions. For me, the Talibans and the suffering in Afghanistan were never right. This book reminds us of the horrors of war, whose victims are mostly the innocents. Certainly, not a fancy love story but a noble novel with whirlpools of ironies, dense descriptions of tradition, landscapes of Afghanistan and our bewildering relationships.

Moreover, the book would go fine for person with intermediate command in English. The narration has some Afghani dialects which have been explained just after. I highly recommend that the book be completed within a few days as recalling and analyzing the incidents of previous half of book would help the reader better grasp the later occurrences.

Nevertheless, all in all, I can highly recommend 'The Kite Runner'. Just as me, I hope you soak in your thoughts and relate the amusing story as one of yours.