July read proved to be an enthralling emotional rollercoaster of a book. It significantly altered my perspective on Afghanistan.
While I had been aware of the events unfolding in Afghanistan through news outlets, this book breathed life into the country and its people, endowing them with a profound sense of humanity.
This book prompted me to contemplate Afghanistan deeply and nurture a genuine concern for its fate. Quite recently, I came across a news piece about the enforcement of restrictions on women, including the closure of salons and prohibitions on makeup application, among other puzzling decrees. Before immersing myself in this book, I must confess, such headlines wouldn’t have stirred any emotional response from me. I share this personal revelation to underscore the profound impact of this book in humanizing Afghanistan, giving it an unmistakable face – one that cannot be disregarded.
Delving into the dynamics between the Pashtuns and the Hazaras was particularly captivating. Essentially, the Pashtuns perceived themselves as genuine Afghanis, while the Hazaras perceived them as the subservient class. The intensity of the animosity between these two groups was simply staggering.
The Kite Runner serves as an emotional whirlwind, as it reveals the intricacies of various relationships in Amir’s life – be it the bond between Amir and Hassan, Amir and his father, Sohrab and Amir, or Amir and his wife. Each connection exhibited a remarkable vigour, moulded by the individuals involved.
I was profoundly impressed by the skill with which the author wove these relationships into Amir’s life. They resonated authentically, precisely as they were meant to.
Of all the relationships depicted, my favourite was between Amir and Sohrab. It felt as if Amir had an opportunity to rectify his past mistakes. Consider the rarity of such a chance at redemption in one’s lifetime.
My favourite quotes:
For you, a thousand times over.
And that’s the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.
Time can be a greedy thing-sometimes it steals the details for itself.
It’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out.
I loved this book. And yes, I recommend it.
Until next time,
