“The Kite Runner”
by Khaled Hosseini
Published: May 2004
ISBN: 0385660073

(Updated: January 20, 2005.)

From the Publisher…

Amir and Hassan are childhood friends in the alleys and orchards of Kabul in the sunny days before the invasion of the Soviet army and Afghanistan’s decent into fanaticism. Both motherless, they grow up as close as brothers, but their fates, they know, are to be different. Amir’s father is a wealthy merchant; Hassan’s father is his manservant. Amir belongs to the ruling caste of Pashtuns, Hassan to the despised Hazaras.

I am fascinated by "truth". This fascination makes me aware of how many simulataneous "truths" there are. And in these truths I have always searched for what is and isn’t arbitrary. This means I like to examine sameness and differences. So… the description of this book peeked my interest for those reasons. And, beyond that (or maybe another variation on this same theme), I like to read about other cultures particularly ones that cross and meet the western world of the Americas. Perhaps this latter “sameness” with me makes me feel as though I have an access point.

(Perhaps we do only ever look to describe and define our own form, our own edges by what is and what isn’t like “us”. But then isn’t that the start of understanding? And isn’t that then the basis of compassion? Regardless, I do believe that most of what most of us live is arbitrary. That doesn’t make it unimportant — far from it and exactly the opposite of that actually — but for me understanding/seeing/believing in this arbitrariness takes the value hierarchy away, puts us all on equal ground, makes us all responsible for what is “next”.)

This was/is a very good book… and this while not particularly liking or respecting the main character.

I suppose that it is a journey of growth, a journey of discovery, a journey of unveiling of what defines “self”. It is believable. It “matters”. It made me reflect on choices — his, mine, the larger ours. I will continue to so do. I highly recommend this book that had a “couldn’t wait to get back to it factor” for me of 5 out of 5 hearts.