IT'S JUST A BOOK? THINK AGAIN...
I’m an English Literature student and reading has always been my comfort. But honestly, between lectures, notes, and endless syllabus chapters, I rarely found the time to read for myself. I would look at my books, sigh, and put them down, thinking, "Maybe one day."😏
When I had some free time, I finally started reading again. To my surprise, I couldn't stop. I was excited about it!
Out of all the books I read, one was different from the rest. It didn’t just tell a story; it made me think, cry, and feel angry. Strangely, it also helped me heal.
Yes, I’m talking about The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini,a writer I now consider my absolute favourite.
How I Discovered Hosseini ?
I had heard so much about A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner. Social media posts praised them, and friends would suggest them. "You have to read them!"even from people I hardly knew!
To be honest, I initially thought What makes it so unique? I believe. Why are these books so popular with everyone?
However, I realized that on the day I read The Kite Runner. My initial thought upon finishing it was, "Khaled Hosseini, what have you done to me?"No matter how many other books you read after it, it's one of the few that stays with you.
What’s The Story?🤔
The Kite Runner tells us the story of Amir and Hassan.But it’s not just their story.It’s the story of guilt, friendship, betrayal, childhood, fear, and the palpable weight of silence. It forces you to ask:
Is it possible to be forgiven for a huge mistake?
Do people deserve second chances?
Is loyalty always rewarded?
How long can guilt consume you?
I didn't feel like I was reading about two Afghani boys (AMIR & HASSAN) while I was reading. I felt like I was there. Watching.Crying.Sensing,like I was a part of their journey since the very beginning.
To be honest, I got really upset with Amir at times. "How could you do this to Hassan?" I wanted to scream on him and ask - "How could you just stand there and do nothing?"
On the other hand, there were moments when I felt a strong connection to him. I felt for him in those moments.By portraying Amir as an insecure, lonely boy who just wants his father's approval, Hosseini makes it difficult to dislike him.He wanted love. He just wanted acceptance. And in the process, he betrayed the purest friendship he ever had.
This is the section that hits you the hardest. Because you can't lie to yourself after reading it. "Would I have been braver", you ask. Or "Would I also have run like AMIR ?"Maybe yes,Maybe no...
Hassan – The Heart of the Story♥️
If Amir is the flawed, broken narrator, Hassan is the heart of this book. Hassan's devotion is just overwhelming. It feels painful and beautiful at the same time.The line that still haunts me of HASSAN:
“For you, a thousand times over.” 🥺
How can one sentence be so simple, yet so devastating? It made me stop and think: "Do I even deserve a friend like that? Could I ever be a friend like that?"
The Taboo No One Talks About – And Hosseini Did
Khaled Hosseini's portrayal of sexual violence, particularly involving young boys, is one of the most strong aspects of The Kite Runner. This is something that many writers still avoid discussing.
Most societies ignore it, but South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures do so even more. We don't discuss it. We act as though it never occurs. We turn our heads away. Hosseini, however, did not.
He didn't make it dramatic. It wasn't written for dramatic effect. I stopped because of the dignity, sensitivity, and heartbreaking honesty with which he wrote it. It was about what it meant, how it destroyed innocence, and how silence can be the loudest form of betrayal. It wasn't just about what happened to Hassan.
It takes courage to write about something so taboo. And doing it with empathy, without going too far into discomfort or being insensitive. It involves skill.
Why Amir’s Silence Matters🤐
One of the sections of the story that stayed with me was the kite competition.When Amir decides to remain silent after witnessing Hassan's fate.I was angry then. But then I realized he was a kid. Horrified. Puzzled.
Though Hosseini doesn't justify it. He provokes feelings in you. The dishonour. The guilt. The way it consumes Amir for the rest of his life.
That is this book's genius! It doesn't provide you with simple solutions. It simply reveals the truth to you.Truth of Friendship,of Betrayal, and of Redemption.Khaled Hosseini’s writing doesn’t just tell you a story. It makes you question yourself.
How would you help a friend?
Would you say something or say nothing?
Is it possible to change the past?
Real people, not ideal ones, are depicted in The Kite Runner. They are regretful, fragile, and weak. However, they can also look for change and forgiveness.
A Note About Kabul
I have never been to Afghanistan but I felt as though I had been there after reading The Kite Runner.The kites in the sky, the dusty roads, the children's laughter, and later the terrible Taliban rule all seemed so real.I was intrigued by the book. It made me regret their loss.
Why You Should Read It
If you're looking for something simple and light, this isn't the story for you.
The Kite Runner will break you. It will make you angry and make you cry. "Is it possible to recover from what I have done?" is a question that will force you to sit in silence with your regrets. But that’s exactly why you should read it. Because it’s real. Because it matters. Because it changes you.
🧠 Final Thoughts🧠
It’s been days since I finished it, But I can still picture Hassan's smile. About the guilt of Amir. About Sohrab's silence. This is more than just a book to have on your shelf. It remains in your heart.
If you've read it, you know what I mean.And please read it at least once in your lifetime if you haven't already, let it sit with you and challenge you.You'll see the world and yourself a little differently.Maybe it even dare you to to believe that
"There is a way to be good again..." ✨✅
🔴 PS:)) Have you read THE KITE RUNNER ? Tell me what stayed with you and If you’d like, I can also share my thoughts on A Thousand Splendid Suns and And the Mountains Echoed. Both are equally heart-wrenching, both equally beautiful.
🔴 If you liked this, please go and check my other blogs and give your insights .
👍🏿 You can also find me on Instagram: @MAITRI_BHARDWAJ.2907
Just let me know your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to discuss these with you all.✅👍🏻
