Splendid, masterly, marvelous all seem rather bland when I attempt to review this saga of human emotions. "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini is a story touches a chord!
Setup in Afghanistan of the early 70´s, The Kite Runner is a story narrated by Amir. He traces his life and the various facets of his relationships with his father(Baba) and his servant(Hassan)! The simplicity and the ease with which Hosseini has narrated the mesmerizing saga of friendship, love and emotions through the eyes of the young Amir is simply spellbinding.
In the backdrop of political uncertainty and turmoil in Afghanistan, Hosseini has skillfully narrated the plight and sufferings of life under Taliban which was a Trojan in the eyes of the ageing Afghans. The shattered hopes and aspirations of the Afghans and the atrocities that Taliban brought, compels one to pause and take notice.
A liberal use of Urdu and Farsi makes the characters come alive. Hosseini offers an insight to the customs & traditions, the folk tales, rituals, traditions and salutations, of the Afghanis. Although Amir and Hassan grow up together, something sets them wide apart. Yet they share a special bond that slowly and gently unfolds in the course of the story!
"For you, a thousand times over", says Hassan as he hurries off to run the blue kite, the last one to fall at the annual kite flying competition. Amir had already won the competition; his was the last kite to rule the skies of Wazir Akbar Khan district. And when he asked Hassan to retrieve the second last kite, he said "Amir Agha.for you, a thousand times over"
This masterpiece would trickle right into the reader´s heart. If this story does not make your heart flinch and your eyes moist, anything seldom will.
One can also follow up your read with the movie by the same name, it is just as skillful.