Stop Complaining

I don't know why everyone else is complaining about the ending of this book. Of course bad things happened, people were hurt, and killed. But in many ways, this book turned out the best it could in this situation. Amir has redeemed himself, and Sohrab is finally safe. He has protected Hassan's son, his nephew, IT WORKED OUT. Of course Sohrab had been broken and abused, but now he can heal, in a good home.

Personally I was shocked when they found Sohrab in the bathtub, and quite honestly I was a little scared. For someone of his age to feel so much pain, is just so horrible. I wasn't sure if he was going to make it out ok, but thankfully he did. If only he could have heard the conversation about them being able to take him to America, the entire crisis would not have occured. Regardless of all the bad, or upsetting things that have happened in the span of this book, it turned out well. Even with complications, the story ended up full circle, and everything is in it's place, so stop complaining. I personally loved the end of this book.

Reality.

This book was the biggest emotional rollercoaster. I have never experienced so much sadness while reading a book. I was hoping for a happy ending. But that's the problem with humans; we only want happy. We want a perfect world where nothing bad happens. This unfortunately is very astray from the truth of the world. Hosseini displays reality like a stab in the back through the Kite Runner. I was absolutely heart-broken when Sohrab was found bleeding in an attempt to kill himself. How cruel is the world that makes a child want to kill them-self? This should not be happening. And the sad part is this is what actually is happening in the world. We are so privileged to live in America where our biggest problem in life is to get this blog post by midnight. We can't even imagine the strife the majority of the world's children are going through. I am extremely saddened by the turn-out of the end of this book. However, I think it brings light to a serious problem within the world.

Disappointed

Overall this book was very good, and very well written. It did not end as I had expected, but I cannot change that can I? With all of the violence and sadness that was going on throughout the entire novel, I figured that it would end with something tragic that would break most readers hearts, but instead Hosseini gives us in a sense, a happily ever after ending that I was not ready for.

Even though the novel did end as planned I think that Amir finally found the person that he was supposed to be. He found repentance of not standing up for Hassan by getting the crap beat out of him by Assef. Amir was laughing during the entire brawl because he knew this is what he deserved all along and was finally receiving his punishment.

The best part of this section of the novel was getting Sohrab back. I had a good feeling that Amir would eventually find him and believe that he made the right move of bringing him back to America with him for adoption. Sohrab has lived a rough live, so far and Amir knows what he is going through. He knows that it takes time to heal the past, but eventually you get through it

Hope

In the end, this was a good book. I enjoyed it the most out of the three book chats this year. I thought the ending was very realistic, which was good. I can't think of an alternative ending because I would have been furious if it was an impossible, total happily ever after story, like the book Iron House that I read last semester. I hate those it "magically" works out in the end books. This book masked its ending very well in balancing the hope that us as readers imagine in the characters' lives and the reality of the demons Amir and Sohrab face in the future. My prediction was right that they would take the boy back with them to America. I thought it was clever of Rahim Khan to fake that there was a Christian couple who could take Sohrab. It was kind of funny, because that was the realization for Amir that he had no other alternatives but to adopt the boy and be even with his guilt.
I'm glad I read this book since it really was a page turner. I do not recall any moment where it seemed to drag on. The read was very quick as well. This author is someone I will definitely look into for future reading.

Interesting

This book did manage to keep my attention. However, at times my attention dwindled. It seemed as every new plot twist occurred what would happen was obvious, but just a matter of reading it. From the point of the introduction of Hassan's son and on I could have almost told you what was going to happen. I was only surprised by the entrance of Assef,  and Sohrab's struggles with depression. I thought that his move to America would be a happy assimilation, but instead it seemed like he gave it no effort. Amir's life seemed just as plagued with bad news as Sohrab's, and you would think that eventually Sohrab would be able to move passed the abuse he endure and it did hint that this may happen. Ultimately, I found the book to be to straight forward with plot twists that led to obvious conclusions. Also, the whole ending with the kites and all was a bit to mushy gushy and cliche for my liking.

Although it seems like I hated this book there was an aspect of it I enjoyed. I was unfamiliar with the middle eastern setting and the book gave a great picture of the setting and how horribly the country deteriorated.

On a side note, I found it really far-fetched and almost downright silly that Sohrab still had the slingshot on him during the fight between Assef and Amir. I mean really? What criminal keeping a prisoner doesn't do a full body search of their prisoner? That really grinded my gears...

Amazing Book! Crappy Ending....

Amazing book! Seriously amazing! I will recommend this to everyone! Buuuuuut, horrible ending. Yes, I understand that this isn't a super happy book, but is it too much to ask for to have a happy ending?!?!?!

A little part of me died when Sohrab tried to kill himself. It was so hard for me to imagine that a little boy who should be playing outside flying kites in utter innocence, is instead in a state of extreme depression because he has been molested repeatedly and orphaned. Its horrible. This is what is happening to children in Afghanistan  This what the Taliban do. I'm so glad we live in America, but I wish there was a way I could stop this from happening to innocent children. Sohrab tried to take his life just because the possibility of him going back to an orphanage came up. How horrible must those places be?

I wish the book would have ended differently. I wish I would have ended with the kite flying and Sohrab suddenly breaking out of the state he was in and running with Amir to get the kite and every one would be happy and crying from joy! That’s a better ending!  I don’t know though, how would you all have wanted it to end?


P.S. I hate Assef more than I've ever hated another fictional character. That's saying something!

The End

I've finished The Kite Runner, and it was really good. The whole thing was really good. Actually, once I finished the second part assigned to us, I literally could not put the book down. I finished it last Sunday.
Toward the end of the book, back in America, when Sohrab would not speak one word, I expected the very last line of the book to be him speaking. As we all now know, that was too optimistic. He never spoke, although is is implied at the end that he is beginning to warm up to Amir. Speaking of the end of The Kite Runner, I found it really touching. Amir and Sohrab were having fun together, but more importantly, Amir showed his love for Sohrab in the only way he ever knew: flying kites. Throughout the book, Amir put such a great emphasis on flying kites that his flying kites with Sohrab at the end of the novel means much more than one would initially think.

I enjoyed reading about Amir rescuing Sohrab from the wreck called Afghanistan. I thought Hosseini could have developed his attempt to leave Islamabad a little more. What happened with Raymond Andrews? How did they get Sohrab to America when andrews said they could not? I realize that this isn't the most important part of the book, but it bothered me a little.
I really like the book. It was a great read; I couldn't put it down.

It just ended

The last few chapters of this book were so suspenseful and so much happened, and then it just ended. When Amir realized it was Assef my heart dropped. This crazy narcissistic kid turned out worse than I could ever imagine. Assef said he never forgot a face, but how could he not see Hassan’s face in Sohrab. Assef should have remembered Hassan more because he was probably one of the first people that Assef really hurt. The slingshot should have definitely been another cue to Assef, but he got what he deserved.

There was so much hope and happiness starting in Sohrab’s life I really thought everything was going to work out for him. Amir came and it finally seemed like no one would ever leave Sohrab again. It disappointed me so much that the book just ended with Amir running the kite. Yes it was full circle, and it was supposed to be a great thing of redemption, but it really wasn’t. There was still a sad little boy without a true father, stuck in the world pretty much alone because his heart had been broken so many times.

Plot Twist: THEY ARE BROTHERS.

Ok, ok, to be honest, it really was not much of a shock to me to find out Hassan and Amir are brothers. I mean Hosseini was hinting at this all along. Baba always had a secret pride for Hassan and mentioned how Amir doesn't have courage like Hassan does. This aside, I was very happy and saddened at the same time to hear this news. Why didn't Baba ever mention it to Amir? Hassan was treated so so so poorly in comparison to Amir, and was over all a better person. Hassan was always kind and forgiving, and Amir was very mean and rude.

I was glad to see the shift in Amir's personality once the book progressed into present day. After the story Rahim Khan told there was a fuse within himself that Rahim Khan had sparked. Amir was finally taking action. Baba would have finally have been proud (not just proud for Amir's success but for his courage!). I think this realization in Amir is represented by the phrase "it's never too late." He is married now and a successful novelists but has still never corrected his past. This is his chance. I cannot wait to see how the end of this book pans out. 

Day to day

Amir is finally beginning to figure himself out. He has a successful life in the writing business and is now married to Soraya, the girl of his dreams.  This section of the book shocked me a couple of times, but the most heartbreaking part was learning of Hassan’s rough life. Even though he did marry, his life consisted of a stillborn first child and just years after his son is born, he and his wife are killed by the Taliban. This was completely unexpected and I never would have guessed that Hassan was dead.  After everything that he went through as a child and then he is slaughtered in front of the entire neighborhood, it just is not right.

When Sohrab is introduced in to the story, I did not really know what to expect. I want Amir to try to save him, but is it really the best choice? He is having a rough spot in his life right now and everything and everyone around him seems to be getting injured or killed in some way. Hopefully he makes a decision that truly benefits himself and eventually returns to America with his family, safe and sound.

Este Libro es Muy Bueno

If there is one thing I like in a book, it is to see the development of characters. Everyone changes throughout life. As the world rotates, people differ from their original personalities. In literature, this is always a crucial aspect, and it can clearly be seen throughout the life of Amir. He began being sort of cruel, but as more time passed, he began to redeem himself. As I read more and more I am gathering that the plot will only go on to full redemption, unless there is some crazy plot twist like Amir's father is still alive, or Soraya turns out to be a robot (which I highly doubt).

One thing that I suspect would surprise most people, but did not have a large impact on me, was the revelation that Hassan and Amir are half brothers. Now of course that is a major part of the book and everything, but I still kind of saw it coming. I did not make a prediction set in stone that this would be revealed, but I had my suspicions since the beginning.

Anyway, I am really enjoying the development of this plot and I must say I am excited to see how it concludes. Hopefully with no robots or parents back from the dead.

(p.s. I am loving Hosseini's writing style, I am just able to picture everything clearly in my mind, something that I find very important in a book)

Amir's Transformation

This section, although quite uneventful, managed to keep my interest. The section has many integral parts that set up Amir's task at hand: saving Hassan's only son's life. Amir's life is as pleasant as  it could be minus the death of his father. He has a nice home, in-laws, and a wife. However, this moment is the perfect opportunity to repay Hassan for Amir's sins. He is at a high point in his life, and now he must delve into his past to make up for taking someone else's life. It is a perfect teaching lesson in that aspect. Because now we have a situation in which forgiveness can be granted, but it will cost a pretty penny.

I was clueless as to where the plot would go following Baba's death. But, Amirs meeting with his father's old business partner set up the rest of the story. I was shocked to find that Hassan and Amir were brothers the whole time but it made so much sense. Now I think that I might find some happiness or relief that Amir has found a way to make up for his mistakes as a child. I think Amir will eventually come to peace with himself and maybe take in Hassan's child as his own. I believe Amir's growth as a character makes this story a bildungsroman.

I like this book a lot more

Amir is finally able to make good decisions in his life, and is turning into a good person. He realizes that he is able to make his father proud without hurting others. I think Amir and Soraya are perfect for each other because they both have troubled pasts, but I really would have liked Amir to open up about his past once Soraya did.

The one thing I don’t like about this book is the weird time frame. Every time a new year comes up I get very confused on when things are happening. If it would use Amir’s age every time instead of years it would be much less confusing.

I know this book is supposed to be about Amir and his redemption but I feel so bad for Sohrab even though he is such a minor character right now. Every time someone he loves comes into his life they die or leave him behind; first his grandma, then Rhahim Khan, then both of his parents. I hope that when Amir finds him he will truly stay in his life and hopefully bring him back to America.

I. Love. This. Book.

Alright, sooooo I already finished this book on Wednesday. But don't Worry! I won't talk about anything that is to come!

Let's get down to business though....

On page 222, my life was changed! When I found out that Hassan and Amir were half brothers I literally got out of my seat, freaked out, walked back and forth down the band hallway and asked every person in the vicinity if they had read the book because I needed to vent to someone so badly. Seriously, I thought  A Thousand Splendid Suns was unexpected, But this..THIS WAS INSANE!!But a good insane! I mean it explains so much though! I just really wish that Hassan and Amir would have known earlier, because it would have changed so much. Hassan and Amir could have been closer and maybe Amir would have treated him better.....but I guess we will never know how things could have been.

I was very confused by on thing in this novel, the dates that are printed at the beginning of some chapters....they don't all seem to make sense the first time through. I had to go back and look at them again to make sense of where we were in time.

One last thing....I really like Soraya. I think she and Amir are perfect for each other. And I think that Amir finds someone with a past that she is ashamed of is perfect because Amir has just the same shame in his past.

Well, until next time!
Gabi

Changes in Characters

At the very end of my last post, I mentioned that I would really like for the "redemption" advertised on the cover to happen soon. Now, at the end of this second section, I am hopeful that it will. Amir will, if all goes well (since when has it?), save Sohrab, his half-brother's only child. Of course, this whole book has me quite cynical, and I would not be surprised at all if Sohrab ends up meeting the same unnatural fate as his father.

For most of this section, I was disappointed with Baba and his behavior. I cannot say I found joy in reading about his descent from a perfect father and role-model to a grumpy old man with nothing to live for. However, I found solace in the fact that he died only after seeing Amir married and believing his son was not a total failure. That's always a plus.

Toward the end of this section, Amir seems to finally be maturing. He acts quite immaturely to Rahim Kahn, but sees the error of his ways and decides to save Sohrab. At the very end of this section, it is implied that Amir gave Farid and his family some money to help them. I believe this is only the beginning of the transformation Amir will make before this book concludes.

A second chance

Through half of the section, I felt like this whole narrative switched gears on me. It's almost as if you could hear the procrastination in Amir's words, ignoring his problems that he left overseas. A hundred and thirty pages in, and all of a sudden we don't hear anything about life in Afghanistan anymore. Later, when he visits Rahim Khan, it all makes sense. Now we know there was an actual reason that they were treated as brothers. When he was yelling at Rahim Khan, he should have been yelling at himself. All those years he kept telling himself he betrayed his friend, only to find he betrayed his own blood? When the request to go back to Kabul, here reappears this theme of courage, that Baba always mentioned. Amir KNOWS what he needs to do for Hassan's son. This is like the second chance he has been waiting for. All that guilt and remorse he's been feeling, can be subdued. I'm interested to see what will happen on his journey with Farid. I'm hoping he brings Sohrab back to the States with him. It makes a lot of sense considering Amir and his wife cannot conceive. Unfortunately it's probably not that easy for the boy to leave the country... Amir got his second chance, so he better not screw this up.

Good and Bad

So far I really love the style that the book is written in, and for a while I thought this was actually a true story and I was a little confused. At the beginning I kept getting the characters mixed up because their names are traditional Afghani, and Hassan kept using respectful terms in a different language.

This book is really good at times, and especially in the beginning because it seems like it’s the story of two boys just being boys and growing up together. There is some underlying tension though because of Hassan being Amir’s servant but it took me a while to figure that out. I really loved how happy Amir was when he first made up that story while telling it to Hassan.

The bad part of this book is definitely Hassan getting raped and Amir doing nothing about it. All Amir wanted was approval from his father but in order to get it he let Hassan’s life be ruined, and the guilt ended up messing with his own life too. It’s really sad that Amir wanted his father’s approval so badly, and that Hassan is so prejudiced against because he is a Hazara. It will be interesting to see how the next section of this book plays out.

What Did I Just Read?

I'm really wrapped up in this book. It's so crazy. The author has this creative way of giving off different perspectives through the characters. Regardless of the setting, the thoughts of Amir's narration is an understanding in how a little boy might think. Its kind of like an, "Oh yeah, a kid would think that," kind of thought in your head. This narration is very clever in how Amir can tell what others are thinking just by looking at their face. Most can picture the look of embarrassment or guilt right on the characters when described. Throughout the book I keep finding various quotes that I find memorable. One of them is that, "There's only one kind of sin and that is stealing." I found that so intriguing and simplistic. It makes a lot of sense. I like Baba and his wisdom filled quotes. I can't fully figure out why I like him, but he just has these alpha male features along with this pride and motivational drive. There are few things I do not like about him though, like his lack of communication with his son with their feelings toward one another. They never talk it out and try to fix anything, they just wish for it to be fixed!

Coward

            I do not even know where to start at. Everything about this story either makes me extremely sad, or aggravated with Amir’s actions. In the beginning he acts like such a true friend to Hassan, but as the story goes on everything changes and my hate for him grew. It completely set me off when he just sat there and watched Hassan get beaten and then raped. I know this had to be very intimidating and intense moment for him, but for everything that he has been through with Hassan, Amir should have taken action and at least tried to stop it from happening. Instead he acts like the coward that he is and runs away. Amir deserves the remorse and guilt that he feels on a daily basis and I have no sympathy for him. He has his entire life handed to him and a lot of it is thanks to Hassan. I believe that the only reason he did not get involved in any of situations is because he wants to impress his father, so for that his father is also to blame. Amir wants his father’s approval so much and went way too far to finally achieve his acceptance. 

Bismillah (In the name of God, the most beneficent, the most gracious)

I am at a loss for word. I just kept thinking to myself this is not happening, no. Even after the event transpired, I kept finding that I was trying to convince myself Hassan, just a bacha (a small boy), was not raped. That word disgusts me. How can Amir live with himself? How selfish can one person be? Hassan is the most loyal friend anyone can hope to encounter. Amir truly has it all. The wealth, the chance at education and most importantly the company of Hassan. While Amir just sat back and watch all of Hassan's happiness be ripped from him.

I was annoyed with Amir's attitude from the start. It's hard to fully dislike him, because he  seems very meek and all he really wants is his fathers approval. He wants to feel important. However, Amir did not have to take this out on Hassan. They are practically brothers.  Couldn't Amir at least show a little bit of respect and gratitude toward Hassan. Hassan did not deserve any of the terrible terrible misfortunes that he experienced. All because why? He was a Hazara. Discrimination of race is such a twisted concept. How can one person be automatically hated because of the different features they have or the color of their skin? Their fate is automatically assigned to them, even before birth. In pakistan this is exactly what happens (although it is sometimes based upon a cast system and not upon race).

One thing I did find interesting, though the majority of people living in America would disagree, is that Amir's family treated Ali and Hassan rather well, for being servants that is. I have seen it with my own eyes. Servants in Third-World Countries usually do not get the privilege of playing cards with their employers next to a hot fire. I do completely disagree with the whole cast systems still happening in the Indo-subcontent regions. I do not think I have ever cried more while reading a book. I had to stop reading just to collect myself. I just really don't understand.... 

Genesis

If a book is truly good, it must have a well written beginning in order to draw the reader in. Kite Runner is a great example of this. The beginning of the story is generally light hearted for the first few chapters. I am really enjoying the voice and tone of the author uses, it sounds much like a memoir and I find it hard to believe it is fiction.

I enjoyed reading about Baba raising Amir. In a way Baba reminds me of Mufasa from The Lion King. The way in which he teaches Amir skills and tries to raise him to be more like himself. Also Baba just seems like a swag-master. When I read about the fate of Amir's mother, I wondered to myself, "why does no book/ movie character have a mother?". Think, Amir's mother is dead, Hassan's mother ran off, Rachel Sexton's (from deception point) mom died, Blanche & Stella, literally every disney princess. WHY ARE THEY ALL DEAD/ GONE.
 
Regardless, I am enjoying this book, of course the whole plot isn't as bright as the beginning, but what plot is? I must say I am not the biggest fan of Amir, the way that he ridiculed Hassan without him even knowing, it was just not right. Hassan already has enough problems, with his leg and being made fun of, the act of Amir poisoning the thing Hassan enjoys most, its just not fair.

*quick note- I love the font this is printed in, that is all

Guilty Conscience

            I honestly don’t know how Amir can live with himself. Baba and Amir are essentially polar opposites, and it has led to rough relationship with the only male role model he has.  However, his actions are uncalled for. If there is one thing you learn from your parents as a child it is to obey them. Baba did not fail in teaching Amir adequate morals. Amir himself went against his father’s morals by doing nothing in that alley and planting the money under Hassan’s bed.

            Overall, I believe that Amir is to take most of the blame for his actions. I myself could only imagine what I would do to someone that committed such a heinous crime to someone I loved. What would you do? Amir is a sick child who has yet to find his purpose in life. He seems to only care for his well-being and pleasing his father. Now, it seems that he is in real trouble, but his guilty conscience stemming from that day in the alley will not provide him with a clear head. I have almost no sympathy for him. With or without a mother and an adequate father, humans are instilled with enough sensibility to stand up for what is right. Amir’s failure to do this makes me no fan of his.

Irony

After Amir writes his short story about the man who kills his wife, Rahim Kahn tells him that he has understood irony, an important part of writing. Ironically, Amir fails to see the irony in his own situation.

After overhearing his father talk of how he is upset that Amir never stands up for what is right, Amir tries to earn his father's approval through winning the kite tournament and retrieving the blue kite. Of course, this does result in the winning of Baba's pride, but it comes at a terrible price. Amir stands by and watches as his closest friend is raped.

The irony in this is that in his attempt to make Baba proud of him, Amir became exactly what Baba feared he would become. He didn't stand up for what was right; he was a coward.
Baba is not a coward. On their ride to Pakistan, a Russian soldier tries to rape an Afghan woman, but Baba risks his life to stop him. He was in exactly the same situation as Amir, and he did what was right. Even I am starting to wonder if Amir is really Baba's son.

At this point, the young Amir reminds me of Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye. If anything, it's because he is just so self-centered, only superficially caring about those around him, yet judging others all the while. The cover of my book says that The Kite Runner is a story about, among other things, redemption. I have know idea how Amir can be redeemed, but I cannot wait for it to happen.

Saddest Book I've Ever Read

Words cannot even describe how emotionally attached I've become to this book. Although currently I'm only on chapter thirteen, I have never put more of my heart into the pages of a fiction story. Well I'll stop blubbering...

Amir and Hassan.

First Impression: I'm not the biggest fan of Amir. He's mean to Hassan, who is nothing but faithful to him. Hassan just seems like the sweetest most selfless human being.

But my heart was torn out of my chest when he was raped. I felt like I was going to throw up. (Sorry Miss Walker) I was on the verge of tears. It absolutely disgusted me. These moments are the moments when I lose faith in poeple. And then my faith was even more lost when Amir just stands there. Watches the only friend he has Ever had being brutally raped, and does absolutely nothing. It upsets me more than anything else. Twelve years old. Twelve!! That's when Hassan loses himself because of cruelty and stupid boys. Hassan didn't deserve this. He is so innocent and so kind. Uuuuuhh!!! This upsets me sooo much.

I've come to realize that I can't be so upset at Amir about this whole situation. I have no idea what I would do at the age of twelve in a culture such as that. But the image of Hassan being held down in the alley with that beautiful blue kite lying in a pile of trash behind him won't leave my head. I don't think I will be able to put this book down until I find out what happened to the boy who was nothing but an innocent lamb and gave up everything to be a faithful servant but more importantly, a best friend.

ASSIGNMENT

I've divided the book into three sections which will correspond with your postings. By midnight of Sun. Feb. 24 read through page 124 (up to ch. 11) and write one 200-word blog.  After everyone has posted, you need to write a 100-word blog response to one of the postings by Wed. Feb. 27. By midnight of Sun. Mar. 3 read through page 242 (up to ch. 20) and write one 200-word blog.  After everyone has posted, you need to write a 100-word blog response to one of the postings by Wed. Mar. 6. By midnight of Sun. Mar. 10 read through the end and write one 200-word blog. After everyone has posted, you need to write a 100-word blog response to one of the postings by Wed. Mar. 13. Remember this is the minimum.  Feel free to respond to more than one posting. ENJOY!