~ ~ For You a Thousand times Over ~ ~. Review on Kite Runner, The - Khaled Hosseni

This is the line that stuck with me at the end of the book…I’ll come to this later. Let me start off with some mandatory information about the book

Indroducing the Characters

The Kite Runner is the story of Amir, and the novel is narrated from his perspective. Amir is the son of Baba, a well loved, immensely respected gentleman, whose tales of generosity and grandeur live beyond his death…….

There are many well developed and important characters, like Ali, Baba’s faithful servant and childhood friend, who had served the family for 40 years. Then there is Rahim Khan, Baba’s trusted advisor and best friend.

Later in the book we come across Aseef, the cruel Pashtun boy, who grows up to become a powerful Taliban leader. We meet Soraya, Amir’s wife. Sanaubar Ali’s unfaithful wife, and then Farid, the one who drives Amir around Pakistan and Afghanistan

But most importantly the story is about Amir and Hassan. Hassan who is introduced as the son of Ali, the little Hazara boy, who is faithful to Amir in the face of danger. And who makes every sacrifice that is asked or imposed on him without budging from Amir side.

The story*

Amir and Hassan, are master and servant, yet, there is a bond of friendship that is like no other. Hassan and Amir grow up in Afghanistan at times that were far away from the present turmoil. Days filled with laughter, with fun, with the running up the hill, carving the proof of their friendship in the bark of a tree and taking part in the Kite flying competitions where Hassan and Amir made a great team and add Hassan’s uncanny ability to Run the Kite and you get a Formidable duo……Hassan’s line when he runs the kite for Amir ‘**For You a Thousand times Over’

In the book, Hassan offers Amir unconditional loyalty and stands up for the weak Amir in adverse situation. One such situation while running a kite for Amir, costs Hassan very dearly. Amir witnesses the trauma that Aseef inflicts on Hassan, but the coward in him prevents him from helping his only friend.

A wedge thus driven combined with the trauma of war, leads the once inseperable Hassan and Amir in two different directions. Where Hassan is lost in the fog of War, Amir migrates to America with his father. In America, he gains education, publishes his book, marries Soraya and ultimately buries his ailing father.

The peace and routine of Amir’s daily life is violently interrupted with a phone call. Why does the dying Rahim Khan want to see Amir? Will his father’s infedility affect Amir Jan in the way he saw his father? Where was Hassan all these years? What has become of him? How will Amir react to Sohrab, Hassan’s son? And most importantly will Amir find the courage and therefore the redemption he has sought all thru this life for betraying Hassan? For You a Thousand times Over…will Amir ever realize the gravity of these words?

Well you’ll have to read to answer those!

My Take:

Fortunately for me I read ‘A Thousand splendid Suns’ before I read this one, and as it might be painfully obvious from my review, I was not completely blown away by thate book. So while choosing this book to read, I was not expecting too much…such a blessing!.

To start off, I am very clear, This book is a MUST read!. Khaled Hosseini for a first time writer, did an absolutely fantastic job. Keeps you engrossed, keeps you hooked all while in the process of creating fascinating, but relatable characters and spinning a wonderful story around them.

To the Western audience the terminology in the book is exotic thus appealing, and to the so called Eastern audience, especially those from the Indian subcontinent, the terms used are familiar and thus relatable. This is by far; I think the strongest point of the book.

Hosseini weaves an articulate story of Love, friendship, sacrifice, compromise, and heroic. The transition between the characters and the times is so beautifully orchestrated that the reader has no choice but to stay and read, interruptions by the outside world while reading are not handled well….I can tell you that from experience.:)

I must admit I did shed a few tears, but still cannot pinpoint why, I think I’ll have to take another go at the book to figure that out. But that will take sometime. I am still reeling from the effects of reading this book for the first time.

That being said, let me also put out a warning. This is not a light book, it requires your full attention. It will pull at your heartstrings and maybe like me you will shed a tear.or at the minimal be overcome with warm emotions.

But I know this reading this book is still worth those precious tears I shed……maybe a few times over!