The Kite Runner Novel Review illustration

The Kite Runner Novel Review

Courage is expensive. Confession is courage. Regret is haunting, painful and invites stupidity.

25 Jan 2024 · 2 min read

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8.5/10

As far as I can remember, I have never cried in my life watching a film or reading a novel. For me, it's okay to be sad, but tears are more worthy of being shed to cry over the mountains of sin, the bitterness felt by people who have been treated unfairly, as well as the longing to be a good person.

This book however left me with the deepest sadness of any novel I have ever read. Tells of the gaping regrets caused by cowardice and betrayal, which perhaps most people would commit similar cowardice under the same circumstances.

This emotional novel tells the story of two friends, Amir and Hassan, who live in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir is the son of a wealthy carpet businessman in Kabul, and Hassan is the son of Amir's father's housekeeper. Even though their status is different, master and servant, Amir still treats Hassan well. Hassan is also very loyal to Amir.

At that time, flying kites was a favorite among all the children in Kabul. In the afternoon the children played until dusk, flying kites high, and of course competing over whose kite skills could break the most threads from other players. However, there is something that is no less prestigious than a skilled kite player, namely a broken kite chaser. Hassan is the best.

One day, Amir won a kite fight and was the last kite to fly. Hassan, with love for his master and friend, does his best to get the last broken kite. Amir also chased Hassan, even though he was quite far away, he also wanted to accompany Hassan to get the broken kite as his winning trophy.

Unfortunately, when Hassan got the kite, something very disturbing happened, and Amir, behind the wall, saw this incident, and did not dare to help Hassan. Amir just watched the crimes committed by a group of immoral youths against Hassan, then backed away and ran home.

When he got home, Hassan, his body shaking and his eyes red from crying, handed the kite to Amir. But after that everything was not the same. Amir, haunted by regret, distances himself from Hassan. Hassan is confused about what he did wrong with his master Amir.

Retelling the contents of this novel brings up suffocating memories. Courage is expensive. Confession is courage. Regret is haunting, painful and invites stupidity.

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