The Kite Runner

         

The novel derives its name from the Afghan custom of kite festival. It has a vivid and rich story with lots of emotions and expression. It tells the story of two childhood friends who grew up together in Kabul, Amir and Hassan. Hassan always stood up for his friend on the other hand Amir deserted his friend when the latter was persecuted and physically abused. But he remains haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend. To settle the old debts and earn some dignity Amir drives back to his homeland. He tried to seek forgiveness towards Hassan by rescuing his son. 

                                        

The kite serves as a symbol of Amir’s happiness as well as his guilt. Flying kites is what he enjoys most as a child, not least because it is the only way that he connects fully with his father, who was once a champion kite fighter. But the kite takes on a different significance when Amir allows Hassan to be humiliated. His recollections after that portray the kite as a sign of his betrayal of Hassan. Amir does not fly a kite again until he does so with Sohrab at the end of the novel. Because Amir has already redeemed himself by that point, the kite is no longer a symbol of his guilt. Instead, it acts as a reminder of his childhood, and it also becomes the way that he is finally able to connect with Sohrab. Overall, a wonderful story line and a great pleasure read.