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