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Pasadena Star-News‘The Kite Runner' a worthwhile
read Friday, March 11, 2005 - BARBARA Martin
asked me to moderate for the book chosen for the One City, One Story in
Pasadena, 'The Kite Runner.'
I promptly went to check it out at the library. The library did not
have any copies available at the time, so I chose to listen to the book on
cassette tape. The box contained eight tapes, about 12 hours of listening
pleasure. I started listening to the tapes as I did housework around the
house. The story, read by the author Khaled Hosseini, immediately
intrigued me.
I listened to five of the tapes, and then realized, I was only
listening to the "A side' of each tape. Now, mind you, I thought the story
skipped around a lot. But, without having the book in front of me, I was
not able to read each word or turn each page, so it took me longer realize
what I was missing.
So, I went back and listened to the end of the "A side' of each tape
and then played the forgotten "B sides.'
"The Kite Runner' is a fascinating story told from the perspective of a
young man born in Kabul, Afghanistan. It provides an enlightening
viewpoint of Middle Eastern culture and belief systems.
Amir, the young man telling the story, was ethnically Pashtun, born
into a wealthy Sunni Muslim family. His mother died while giving birth to
him, so he was raised by his domineering but hardworking father.
Amir was raised with another young man named Hassan. Hassan's father
was an ethnic Hazara and a Shi'a Muslim. Hassan and his father were
servants, living in a small house behind Amir and his father's larger,
more elaborate house.
Nevertheless, Amir and Hassan sucked the same breast, having the same
nurse. Hassan's mother left him and his father five days after Hassan was
born. They were two motherless boys raised in a male-dominated world and
enjoyed the childhood fun of Kabul life, then a relatively peaceful land.
One day, after the annual kite-flying contest, a horrific event takes
place which changes the relationship between Amir and Hassan. The event
proves to test Amir's courage, a test that he does not pass.
However, later Amir has the opportunity to redeem himself with actions
that entail him returning to Afghanistan after having fled the country
many years before.
In the dangerous journey back to his now-changed homeland, Amir learns
some painful truths about his family. Long-held secrets are revealed. Amir
finally finds inner peace and courage, and grows to be a greater man than
he ever thought was possible.
I have subsequently checked out the book, the hard copy, this time, and
started reading it again. It's a book worth enjoying a second time.
Paula Hines
Pasadena
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