Pasadena Star-News

‘The Kite Runner' a worthwhile read
By Paula Hines

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