The Best and Worst of The Kite Runner
A poor decision can haunt someone for the rest of their life, if they chose to do nothing to make up for the wrongs that they’ve done. The Kite Runner is a tale of redemption that realistically explores human life in the darkest of circumstances. The narrator weaves a tale that describes how a single decision can haunt a person for the rest of their life. The story shows that human struggles exist everywhere. I had mixed feelings for the book though. I liked The Kite Runner for the detailed, living backdrops to which the story was set, the complex father-son relationship that it accurately showed, and the touching story of redemption. My only complaint would be about the book’s ending due to its disappointingly simple nature.
Khaled Hosseini forms an incredibly interesting and accurate setting for The Kite Runner. His detailed descriptions of Afghanistan are surprisingly interesting and they all seem necessary to correctly set the stage for the main events of the story. I have always been impressed when an author is able to insert historical information unobtrusively into their novel. Hosseini adds a new level to his story through these descriptions, and he helps every reader form a better understanding of that part of the world. He truly makes us understand the differences between Afghan and American society. The values of their society are displayed in ways that only a novel can display them. Amir’s description of the kite fighting and kite running show the strong value that is placed on competition in their society. It is a crucial aspect to understanding the complex character that is Amir. The description of the contrasts between America and Afghanistan are also easily seen. Almost everyone in Afghanistan can find a way that they are related to each other, while Amir shows how American society is much more detached. Baba becomes enraged when the Nguyens, who own the convenience store where they’d bought fruit for two years, ask to see his ID. Amir was uniquely able to describe the subtle intricacies of their society. The most interesting part of Hosseini descriptions would have to be the contrast that is shown between Afghan society before the Taliban government, and Afghan society after the Taliban took control. Amir’s return near the end of the book is one of the most depressing depictions of tyranny and its effect on the lives of ordinary people. The public execution at the soccer game is one of the displays that stick out in my mind. This act shows the terror that the Taliban has inflicted on Afghanistan and how they have altered the Afghani way of life. Hosseini’s depictions are a perfect example of historical fiction and the many ways that it can add to the reader’s experience.
The Kite Runner also accurately shows the complex relationship that often exists between fathers and their sons. This adds another level of humanity and reality to the novel that allows me to relate better to Amir. The relationship that exists between them makes the characters real. There are many children in the world who are constantly competing to earn the love and attention of their father, and it is easy to sympathize and understand the complex relationship that exists between Baba and his children, Amir and Hassan. Some authors don’t show the dark aspects of the main character, but Amir shows the reader his jealousy and pride. I could relate to Amir when he asks Baba to not take Hassan with them to their picnic. Amir simply wants to gain the attention of his father. This also allows the reader to understand the motives for Amir to win the kite fighting competition and have Hassan get the second place kite for him. Understanding the bond allows the reader to better understand Amir’s conflict about leading Hassan into an ambush in order to gain the love of his father. The constant struggle for attention shows the reader the true personality of Amir and makes him a good three-dimensional character. It also adds much needed depth to Baba’s character. It is unimaginable to understand the grief that Baba must feel. Baba knows that Hassan is his son, but he is unable to openly care for him. His inner conflict makes him a good character that any reader can empathize with. Hosseini was able to capture the delicate and sometimes dark relationship that is the father-son bond, and this truly rare accomplishment makes me like the book even more.
One of the most likeable parts of The Kite Runner is the story of redemption that is constantly running in the background. Every person in the world has done things that haunt them for the rest of their lives, and Amir’s story of guilt and self loathing is an easy tale with which the reader could empathize. Amir has every reason to feel guilty about not coming to the aid of Hassan while he was being raped by Assef. He drives Hassan away by framing him for theft, but this only worsens his guilt. These actions make Amir a deep character that has a complex and interesting past, and it shows how our actions can affect the rest of our lives. I felt the ups and downs of Amir’s quest for forgiveness, and I was drawn into his adventure in Afghanistan and the promise of redemption that comes with it. Amir risks his life by going into Assef’s place to rescue Sohrab, and he does it all so that he can have peace of mind. I can understand how far Amir is willing to go to be able to live with his actions, and it provides a great lesson for why one must live a life without regrets. The heart of this story is about Amir regaining his self-respect, and everyone can relate to such a universal concept.
The Kite Runner was a good novel, but it fell short of greatness due to its lackluster ending. I was very disappointed in the way that Hosseini seems to pointlessly draw out the story beyond the climax at Assef’s palace. The episode with Sohrab’s suicide attempt feels rather unnecessary and doesn’t add much to the story. The last fifty pages seem to be a random attempt to draw out the story to a happy ending by adding unneeded drama. I personally believe that a happy ending is out of place among the dark backdrop of the novel. The ending is predictable and dull, and it destroys the realistic nature that the novel has for the entire length of the story. A more ambiguous ending would have better fit the nature of the story, instead of ending the story with a bland conclusion that is surprisingly cliché. Sohrab’s sudden healing through flying the kite is unnatural and seems almost childish. The poor quality of the ending holds The Kite Runner back from true greatness.
Khaled Hosseini wrote a good novel. The Kite Runner features an incredible depiction of life in Afghanistan, and how humans are forever changed by the events of their life. Hosseini also provides one of the best depictions of the father-son relationship that I have ever read. The tale of Amir’s need for redemption draws the reader into his story and gives his audience a genuine interest in Amir. The novel is only held back from greatness due to its disappointing ending that lacks the dark and human qualities that are constant in the beginning.