The Kite Runner

Very rarely does my heart get all warmed up after reading a book! I proclaim myself to be a voracious reader. But I always keep myself detached from the characters so that I can judge each one of them and not be completely awed by the ending. But today, my strategy failed me.

If you have not yet read this book , "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, then I suggest you grab a copy of it as soon as possible. I have never ever read a more powerful story, so simply written, yet so riveting.

A story of a 12 year old Amir and his trustworthy and loyal friend, Hassan, in the backdrops of erstwhile Afghanisthan. First of all, after knowing what Afghanisthan is today, you feel amazed that there was a time when it was also a prospering and happy country and people led their lives so normally, without any fear of death or looming war. You feel touched to see the transformation of a country from a bubbling economy to the remnants of disaster ... all thanks to some fanatics. So many lives lost, so many orphaned and so much of torture .... When will it be able to regain its lost glory?

Anyways, coming back to the story, Amir is the master and Hassan the low caste servant... yet they have a strong bond. Amir is the prototype of a normal human being, with his own flaws and who tries to win the heart of his father, in all ways possible. While Hassan emerges out to be the true hero of this story, with every sacrifice that he makes for Amir, in spite of Amir's disloyalty to him. Every character in this book is well etched and while reading, you can actually picture them in your mind, with all the events happening in front of your eyes. In the end, when Amir is able to redeem his sins, you also heave a sigh of relief, as if it were you who had done all those things.

A novel of unusual generosity, honesty and compassion ... Do read it!