The Kite Runner Essay Example for Free

The Kite Runner Essay I will be doing my book review on the book called ‘kite runner’, by Khalid Hosseini. The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, who befriends Hassan, the son of his fathers Hazara servant. The story is set against a background of upcoming events, from the fall of Afghanistans monarchy through the Soviet invasion, the large number of refugees sent to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime. I am doing my book review on the Kite Runner because I think it is a marvellous and very interesting book. The author also describes the settings very well. Khalid Hosseini was born on 4th March 1965; he is an American novelist and physician from Afghanistan and he is an ethnic Tajik. Amir, a wealthy Pashtun boy, and Hassan, a Hazara who is the son of Ali, Amirs fathers servant, spend their days in the peaceful city of Kabul, kite fighting and roaming through the streets. Amirs father, a wealthy merchant, whom Amir affectionately refers to as ‘Baba’, loves both boys, but seems critical of Amir for not being manly enough. However, he has a kinder father figure in the form of Rahim Khan, Babas friend, who understands Amir better, and supports his interest in writing. Hassan and Amir are great friends. Hassan is also a very good kite runner. Five years later, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan. Amir and Baba escape to Peshawar, Pakistan and then to Fremont, California, where Amir and Baba, who lived in luxury in an expensive mansion in Afghanistan, settle in a run-down apartment and Baba begins work at a gas station. Amir eventually takes classes at a local community college to develop his writing skills after graduating from high school at age twenty. Every Sunday, Baba and Amir make extra money selling used goods at a flea market in San Jose. Hassan is killed but his son is in trouble, so Amir goes back to Afghanistan to save him. The genre of this novel is action and adventure. Most of the action takes place in Afghanistan. The author described the place where Amir lived; you could almost picture his house in your mind. When you chose an adventure book people expect the story to be interesting, fascinating and settings to be described very well also. The novel fits the genre because they play all around Kabul, running away from the bullies and also it is about the life of Hassan and Amir, it has the up and downs of their lives. One triumphant day, Amir wins the local tournament, and finally Babas praise. Hassan runs for the last cut kite, a great trophy, saying to Amir, For you, a thousand times over. Unfortunately, Hassan encounters Assef. Hassan refuses to give up Amirs kite. Assef decides to teach Hassan a lesson by beating him half to death and then raping him. Amir witnesses the act but convinced himself that he is too scared to intervene; though its actually the fact that he needs the kite for Babas praise and approval and he knows if he does intervene, then he wont get the kite and he returns home ashamed, guilty for not being able to help his best friend. He feels that his cowardice in Hassans rape would destroy any hopes for Babas affections, so he says nothing. Afterward, Hassan and Amir keep a distance from each other. Amir reacts indifferently because he feels ashamed, and is frustrated by Hassans saint-like behavior. Already jealous of Babas love for Hassan, he worries that if Baba knew of Hassans bravery and his own cowardice, that Babas love for Hassan would grow even more. This part of the story showed how loyal and brave Hassan was. Amir like reading stories and is a storyteller. He and Hassan play with kites all the time. He is a little bit afraid of the other boys like Assef. I have enjoyed this book a lot it has been interesting, I felt sorry for Hassan because he was so loyal and his loyalty had cost his life. The novel was a great adventure story. It is one of the best books I have ever read. By Nima Tajali.