This is me trying.

The review of this book is the first “proper” thing I wrote. I started in 2019, edited in 2021. It’s only fit to have it as my first post here in big 2022. If you find errors, blank spaces, lack of connection, please ignore.

The Kite runner -Hosseini Khaled

From the title of this book, one probably expects it to be about children and yes, the novel is about the lives of two children, one a freeborn and the other a slave. The story begins in Afghanistan, a country known for war, it is interesting that the novel starts from the pre-war era in Afghanistan. We are introduced to the culture and lifestyle of the people of this country before war brought pain. It is disheartening that when one hears of Afghanistan, the first thing that comes to mind is war, American soldiers and bombs. I dare say that dying in Afghanistan as an American soldier is something that may happen when you sign up to defend that country.

The protagonist of this book who is also the narrator is a boy, Amir who is born into a rich family and raised by his Dad with a hazara servant, Ali and his Son Hassan. Amir is an artistic soul which puts him on the wrong side of his father’s love. This causes a strain on their relationship. Nevertheless, Amir’s. friendship with Hassan can be likened to brotherhood, deeper than mere friendship. And through their story, the Author introduces different themes into the novel including love, sacrifice, deceit, jealousy, revenge, rape, and slavery. Simply put, it’s a sad book and it changed my view of the world a little. Personally I think this book ought to have a trigger warning sign saying: might break your heart but you will enjoy it. My heart got broken from reading the kite runner and years after, I have not healed and to make it worse, I read every book written by Hosseini Khaled and it’s a solemn vow to never for the rest of my life touch a book written by him to protect my fragile heart.

Moving on from emotions, the major theme of this book for me is friendship. The friends(Amir and Hassan) loved each other. In fact, it got to a point when I thought they had emotional feelings for each other but this was not the case. In a place where some tribes are seen as inferior, Amir and Hassan’s friendship stood against all odds but like every story, an event occurs that changes their lives forever.

Signing off, The Author including the war experience in Afghanistan reminds me of an Igbo saying “Agha di njo” which means War is Bad. Unfortunately, in today’s world, Afghanistan is still ravaged by war and the tales are not pleasant. On this light note, I hope you enjoy the book and learn from it and if you are an atheist or of a different faith, I encourage you to be open minded and prepared with a box of tissues for you are about to cry.

Author’s note: In light of the recent war between Ukraine and Russia, this sparked my thoughts on how the lives of little children have been torn apart just like Amir and Hassan.

Love, Angel