There is a Way to be Good again
The Title of this blog is the tagline of the 2007 Film, The Kite Runner, directed by Marc Forster. The film is based on the book of the same title written by Khaled Hosseini.
Recently, I finished reading the book and watching the movie. It took me five ‘nights’ to finish the book (I only read before I go to bed) ^_^ So here’s the summary and my reaction or whatsoever:
The book begins with Amir living the time of his life in California, December 2001. He receives a phone call from a long time ago friend named Rahim Khan who asks him to go back to Afghanistan. Amir got second thoughts and flashbacks occured.
Back when he was a little kid, he used to play with Hassan, who was called the harelipped Kite Runner. Amir is a wealthy Pashtun and is very well educated while Hassan is only a Hazara servant who can’t read nor write. But Hassan got a special gift. It is kite running. He knows where the kite with fall even not looking at the sky. And all Afghan children admire him.
Amir is hated by his father, Baba because Amir’s mother was killed by giving birth to him. Rahim Khan consoled Amir and was like a second father to him.
One day came Hassan’s birthday. Baba took them to a Kite Shop and Hassan got to choose his kite. Afterwards, Hassan and Amir prepare for the Kite Tournament.
They fly the kite together against about 50 kites. Slowly, Amir cut the kites until his kite and a blue kite were left. Successfully, he cut it down, deeming him as the victor of the tournament. Of course, Hassan wanted to run the blue kite for Amir. He did it and said, “For you, a thousand times Over”
Hassan failed to return immediately so Amir went out to find him. He then finds him being bullied by Assef and later on, raped. Amir hides and pretends he didn’t see the incident as Hassan emerges from the alley, holding the blue kite. Their friendship started to break.
Amir frame Hassan up by hiding his watch under Hassan’s bed. Baba thought Hassan stole Amir’s watch. Because of loyalty, Hassan admitted the sin but Baba forgave him. Ali, Hassan’s father, then told Baba that they are going to leave since it is impossible for them to live there now. They left the mansion and war breaks in Afghanistan’s streets.
Baba and Amir escapes Afghanistan to California where Amir graduates college. They live a life away from war in California.
In the flea market, Amir meets General Taheri and his daughter, Soraya. Amir had feelings for Soraya since they met. Soraya loves to read while Amir wants to be a writer. So, Amir gives Soraya his draft stories.
One day, Baba was diagnosed with cancer of the lungs. Baba refused to be operated and take any medications except morphine. It was this time that Amir asked Baba to go khastegari (propose to the girl’s father). General Taheri accepted and Soraya and Amir wed just before Baba died.
Days after Baba’s death, Amir received the call from Rahim Khan. He asked Amir to go to Pakistan. Amir then agrees and flies to Pakistan to meet him. Rahim Khan told Amir that Hassan has been killed by the Taliban. He shows Amir Hassan’s letter and a Polaroid showing Hassan and his son, Sohrab. Rahim Khan then asks Amir to save Sohrab from the orphanage in Afghanistan. Again, Amir got second thoughts but agreed to go to Afghanistan with the help of his driver, Farid.
In Afghanistan, Amir needed to wear a fake beard in order not to be killed. They arrived at the orphanage but they were late. Sohrab has been taken by a Taliban official. They need to meet him.
Farid arranged the meeting. Time came and Amir met the official who was Assef! Assef picked a fight with Amir but Amir, who hadn’t had any fights before, was seriously injured. Sohrab then takes a golden ball and uses the slingshot to shoot Assef’s eye. Amir and Sohrab escapes.
Amir told Sohrab that they would go to America. At first, Sohrab became happy but it was almost impossible for that to happen. They need to put Sohrab to an orphanage for adoption and then he could fly to America. Amir had promised to Sohrab before that he will not bring him to an orphanage. Sohrab felt terror and slept. Soraya called and told Amir that he could go to America with Sohrab now without putting him in an orphanage. But it was late. Sohrab comitted suicide.
Sohrab’s life was saved but he didn’t speak a word. Even in America. He acted like a mute.
One day, Amir offered Sohrab to fly a kite with him. Sohrab didn’t react so Amir flew the kite solo. Amir cut a kite and told Sohrab that he would run for it. Sohrab smiled, a lopsided smile. Amir was happy to see Sohrab smile so he ran for it amidst children who were running for the kite too. Amir told Sohrab Hassan’s phrase, “For you, a thousand times over!” The book ends with two words: I ran.
The Kite Runner is really a good book. It’s a great story of loyalty and betrayal. It’s a story of sinning and forgiveness. It’s also action-packed and suspense. The middle to the end of the book is the climax because every paragraph forces you to read the next. Trust me, it is the greatest book ever!
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