If there ever was a book that showcased the true essence of Afghanistan’s lost glory – then this is probably it. Debutant writer Khaled Hosseini, an Afghan himself, takes us through a journey of friendship, betrayal, shame, innocence and above all – humanity. What struck me as unique right away is his simple style of narration. Being a Rushdie reader myself, the subtle use of colorfully peppered verbose word play was truly a refreshing treat. It is through this kaleidoscope of varying hues, that Hosseini brings us images of a country on the verge of hardcore ‘Talibanisation’ while the warlords are brewing their pots ready to take over the land. It is through the eyes of young Amir and his childhood friend, Hassan, that we are taken across the gorgeous landscapes of an angelic land called Afghanistan.
The book opens with the narrator, Amir, a well bred Pashtun lad who has grown under the looming shadow of his giant of a father – Baba. It is through his idealistic ways of how life should be led, that Amir first gets an introduction to his role in the larger social context despite the fact that Baba does not think much of Amir given his lack of commitment to anything. It is in this sense of apparent regret, that Amir chooses to find an ounce of solace with his friend, Hassan. Hassan – another very important nugget of moral value who later on becomes the only reason Amir is able to redeem himself. Hassan, the Hazara, lives with his father Ali, the family servant. Amir and Hassan grow up amid lush green valleys of the countryside enjoying the many wonders their land has to offer. Their main priority is the kite flying contest which Hassan is an expert at. We are told that he is one of the best kite runners there is. The winner of this contest is the kite that survives the vicious attacks of its opponents and is brought back alive from the skies after the event is done with. It is his keen sense of instinct as to where the kite will land that never fails to impress an otherwise snobbish Amir who is still in the process of self discovery.
In this concoction of friendship and brotherhood appears a huge wrinkle by the name of Assef. He is a miscreant by nature who is a very mean and violent older lad. He is infamous for his brass knuckles which he uses to constantly threaten a more timid Hassan and Amir. As things turn out, Assef becomes a pivotal point in the story’s narration when, after the kite flying contest, on realizing that Hassan has not yet returned with his winning kite, Amir goes looking for him. In one of the dark and silent alleys where no human eye would rove, Amir is shocked to see Assef brutally raping Hassan along with a few other lads. Despite the obvious shame in this heinous event, Amir isn’t mature enough to actually come to terms with this ghastly episode. Their friendship suffers immensely after this as Amir, despite knowing that he could have saved his friend, stood stunned in silence as the violent act was committed. Without being able to come to terms with his guilt, Amir decides to label Hassan a thief and gets rid of him from their house. This, despite what Hassan had told him time and again - 'For you, a thousand times over...' It is in that deep seeded honesty that Hassan is born with, that Amir finds it impossible to see him in the eye anymore.
The story then takes a fresh look at Amir’s life after this incident. As Amir and Baba escape out of a Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Amir never forgets about Hassan and what he did to him. The father and son head to the United States where Amir starts a new life and grows up becoming an American each day. But nothing makes him forget what happened in that alley that dark day after that thumping victory in the kite contest.
Time rolls on as Amir finds a new lease of life in the United States. He finds love, in Soraya, an Afghan woman who lives in California. It is after this, that Amir runs into Rahim Khan – the guardian of their family, who tells him what happened to Hassan after they left. A truth that prepares Amir to return to his land of redemption – to his Afghanistan.
Hosseini’s book is more about well placed surprises than anything else. And these come wonderfully at regular intervals keeping the goings on riveting. While the plot itself seems to be made for a movie, which it did become eventually, I don’t think the justice that is done to such a wonderful tale can ever be seriously translated to celluloid. There is a little ounce of that extra something, that additional drop of sensitivity that words carry, which is almost impossible to portray on film. It is in this sense of extremely delicate portrayal of the innocence of humanity, that Hosseini scores the most.
‘The Kite Runner’, according to me, is a classic. It has all the ingredients of a delightful story told from the eyes of an anti-Hero who is out to seek his redemption. A tale that is truly relevant in times that demand a little bit of soul searching in all of us. And for that, I'd recommend it - 'a thousand times over...'
..ShaKri..
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