The Kite Runner

Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into one of Khaled Hosseini's greatest works: "The Kite Runner."

What strikes me most about this book is the seamless obedience and love that Hassan has for his friend Aamir. It might seem incredulous for one person to have that much love for another, but it's possible. People like that exist, in all of our lives. For me, it's my oldest aunt from my mom's side. Her name is Geeta. Ever since I was a child, I remember her taking care of me, loving me, rescuing me from this fever and that typhoid by taking me to the nearest clinic. I remember vomiting on one of the staircases to the doctor's office and watching her going through the same pain that I was. Every word that she speaks is positive and all the stories she tells are magical... Amir's interactions with Hassan are not particularly the same, but Hassan definitely shows the same love in his relationship with Amir.

SPOILER ALERT 
Events in this book are disturbing. Especially towards the middle-end when the Taliban is introduced. It's frustrating to realize that the Taliban is not the authentic Muslim organization it claims to be. It reigns on brutality and corruption and allows many to become violent and exercise their demons: like Assef, who buys little boys from orphanages and rapes them. Although disturbing, the book shows that life has a way of introducing opportunities for us to redeem ourselves. One significant dialogue of the book is when Rahim Khan calls Amir and says, "there is a way to be good again."

Amir:
I believe that Amir is a character that I can relate to.  He's the protagonist and most important character of the novel. Him not defending Hassan when he gets raped contains the deeper subtext  that allowing someone you love to get hurt, is the same as hurting yourself. It always pains me to the think about the times I've hurt my parents or I've nonsensically blamed other people for my faults. It almost makes me feel like I'm undeserving of my life. To some, this may seem over dramatic, but Hosseini shows through the "Kite Runner" that each person's scar-- no matter how big or small it may seem -- is his or her own to understand and deal with. In the story, after being beaten black and blue by Assef, and nearly escaping with his life to save Hassan's son, Amir finally feels at peace. Before that, he is constantly racked with guilt. Even though he is a good son to his father and dutifully fulfills all the moral responsibilities that a young man of his age should perform, a part of him still feels empty. 
And it fills up when he gets what he thinks he deserves, even though Rahim Khan thinks he is too hard on himself.  Therefore, like Amir, I know that there are ways that I can clearly make it up to my loved ones, even if it isn't the conventional "right way".

Ultimate Take Away
I think above all, this book shows the value of friendship, and how it can transcend generations. If someone is important to you, chances are you'll make it up to them!