I expected it to be heavy on drama and other historical/political undertones, but The Kite Runner was a surprisingly easy read, although it doesn't mean it was any less touching or riveting.
The story is told from the point of view of Amir, a wealthy Afghan boy who grows up alongside Hassan, the son of his family's servant. Although Amir is more privileged, he is a self-confessed coward, afraid to speak out, and it is always Hassan who stands up for him. One fateful day, Amir sees Hassan being sodomized by rich bullies (sons of his father's friends); instead of helping his friend out, Amir runs away and pretends he doesn't see doesn't see anything. The Kite Runner is basically the story of how Amir's life turns out following that decision, all intertwined with Afghanistan's history as well (from the occupation of the Soviets to the rule of the Taliban until the invasion of US forces). The novel is rich in Afghan culture and trivia, and I found it to be as educational as it was entertaining.
I got the title of for this entry from something that's repeated often in the book, at first by Hassan—-he is as loyal a servant as he is a friend so everytime Amir asks him if he could do something, he would reply, "For you, a thousand times over." Towards the end, Amir says the same thing to someone else, someone we least expect.
Yes, it's another "serious" book, but trust me, it's not boring.
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