Kite Runner Book Review

Kite Runner is a fictional narrative written by Khaled Hosseini. Kite Runner is a story written in a time of war in Afghanistan. In Kite Runner a boy named Amir witnesses his best friend  get physically assaulted. Amir never forgets this and tries to bury the past. Later in the story he and his dad move to America due to their safety. Once Amir is America he finally gathers up the courage to go back to Afghanistan and redeem himself.

Hassan was  a very interesting and loyal character in Kite Runner. Throughout the story Hassan’s loyalty toward Amir never changed. He never hit him back and always stood up for him. Hassan was a Hazara and Amir was a Pashtun, but their social status didn’t separate their friendship. When Amir won the Kite Tournament Hassan promised Amir he would get the kite and said, “For you, a thousand times over.”  It meant that he was going to get it, no matter what. When Hassan finally got the kite, he was brutally beaten and raped by Assef. All Assef wanted was the kite, but Hassan never gave it up because of his loyalty and his promise. After Hassan got raped, Amir kept ignoring him and didn’t want to be his friend. Hassan kept trying to restore their friendship by telling him he was sorry for whatever he did, but Amir couldn’t look at Hassan the same way. One day Amir told Hassan to go to the pomegranate tree where they used to hang out. When they got there Amir threw pomegranates at Hassan and wanted him to throw them back, but since Amir doesn’t understand the extent of Hassan’s loyalty he didn’t expect Hassan to smother a pomegranate on his own head.  Hassan probally thought that after some time, everything between him and Amir would get better, thats why he never retaliated when Amir was throwing pomegranates at him. I wonder what Amir would have done if he knew that Hassan was really his half-brother.

One thing that Hassan and Baba have a lot of, is Bravery. They both stood up for someone. Hassan deafened Amir with his slingshot when Assef first confronted  them, which is similar to when Baba defends the woman from the Russian soldier in the fuel truck. This is a very distinct trait that Hassan and Baba have, but lacks in Amir.  Amir has little, or no bravery in the beginning of the story, but gradually develops it later on.

Khald Hosseini’s purpose in writing this fictional story was to educate people on whats its like in Modern Afghanistan, and how it’s hard to bury the past. I’ve learned a lot on what it’s like in Afghanistan,  what some of the people there have to go through on a daily basis, some Farsi,  and Afghanistan culture.  There were lots of things going on in Afghanistan at that time. Some included the constant fight over power.

The whole story was basically about how Amir tries to bury the memory of Hassan being raped, but later on, it comes back. Amir tried so hard to forget what happened to Hassan. Amir was about eight when he witnessed it, and felt very guilty. When he moved to American, he had finally locked up that event somewhere in his head, but later on he gets a call from Rahim Kahn and the past just crept its way out. Near the end of the story after Amir rescues Sohrab, he has a dream where he witnesses his father fighting with a bear, 

“They roll over a patch of green grass, man and beast...They fall to the ground with a loud thud and Baba is sitting on the bear’s chest, his fingers digging in its snout. He looks up at me and I see me. He’s me I am wrestling the bear.” 

 Amir has finally realised that he has redeemed himself. Houssei incorporates a very strong moral into this story. The moral is, if your try to forget the past, it will eventually come back at you. I’ve learned that the best way to get rid guilt, is to confront your fears and fix things.

Most of the people of Afghanistan were already in poverty, then the Taliban came along and started  killing and harassing people.

“What is the matter with you?” Farid hissed.

“What?”

“Don’t ever stare at them! Do you understand me? Never!”

“I didn’t mean to,” I said.

“Your friend is quite right, Agha. You might as well poke a rabid dog with a stick,”    someone said.

This was when a Taliban glared at Amir. The Taliban were there just looking for someone to kill or start a fight with. Farid was telling Amir to not look at the Taliban if he didn’t want to die. That’s how bad the Taliban were. Even though the story is fictional, there are lots of events in the story that I wouldn’t be surprised to hear really happened.

Kite Runner had lots of information about Afghanistan culture, and taught me a little bit of Farsi. I learned that in Afghanistan culture couples don’t get to choose who they marry, the parents marry their daughter or son according to the other families ancestry. General Taheri says, “ Now this is the right way-the Afghan way- to do it, bachem.”After reading Kite runner, I’ve learned that Salaam means greetings and calling some one's name and adding jan is a form of respect. Knowing even a little Farsi can help me communicate with people if I ever have to go to Afghanistan.
Overall The Kite Runner was a very intriguing and informative book. It taught me life lessons, events that happened in Afghanistan, Farsi, Afghan culture, and how people are dealing with the crisis’ there. It was also very sad, but had a great ending. I would recommend this book to everyone that is over the age of twelve. I will always remember the this story.

Kite Runner: Reflection on The Ending.

      After reading Kite Runner, I've really gotten some insight on current events happening in Afghanistan and how the people there are living in poverty. The story of Amir and Hassan really made me think outside of the box, on how F***ed up the world really is. I also felt a connection with the characters, like I knew them just as well as I knew my friends.
      Even though Kite Runner is fiction, it greatly describes whats happening in Afghanistan today. Lots of innocent people are dying. When Hassan and his most of his family were murdered in the book I felt really sad. Why would the Taliban fight for the people and then just go on a killing spree. It doesn't make much sense. This book really ties into politics and how Bush made excuses to invade Afghanistan for oil or maybe WMD. So if the people in Afghanistan are already suffering, why would the U.S government go and make them suffer more rather than help them. This book has really been crazy though.
      The conflict that Houseini created about Amir and Hassan made me think about all the crime in the world that never really gets talked about. Things like rape, human trafficking, torture, and cons happen everyday, but most people are too busy with their own lives to learn or maybe help with these things. While you're laying in your comfy bed playing on that new iPod you just bought a seven year old girl might be locked up in a dirty basement trying to find a way out.
      In the beginning of the book my feelings of Amir, was that he was just a coward and couldn't stand up for himself, but now that I've read the whole book, my feelings toward him are better. When I finished the book I felt that Amir has really redeemed himself and deserves a pat on the back. Risking his life and all that he worked for to go save Hassan's son, Soharab, really takes some guts. I felt connected to him, because I felt as if I was there watching him grow and become a man.
    

Response to Karen "Guys are pimps, girls are sluts wtf?

   In Karen's blog post she said, "Guys are pimps, girls are sluts wtf" 

"I don't quite grasp this concept that when guys play or date numerous amount girls they are pimpin ,but if a girl does the same she is referred to as a slut."-Karen Chavez

       The answer to this question is sexism. Throughout history women have been degraded and not treated equally. This is the same with people of different race. Lots of men think they are stronger and more superior to women. Women were not even allowed to vote until the 18th century. To this day some jobs pay men more than women. Its not right.
      The thing with guys is that they want to get as many girls as they can just for superiority. It might all just be apart of natural selection. I learned in biology that male animals fight over females and food the most. They mate with more than one female. I also saw a documentary where a Silver Back Gorilla has control of six-ten female gorillas and were mating with all of them.This might be universal to every organism on earth. Humans do this too, most try to get as many girls as they can, but the one thing that separates us from any other animal is emotion. Humans have emotions, therefore causing people to fell love. I don't think animals actually "love" each other. They just want to have the most babies. Human emotions are the things given to us so we could be more advanced and less animal like.
      So the real answer to why guys are called pimps and girls sluts, is very hard to answer. There are tons of factors that go into why these sexist thing happen in everyday life. Many of my friends have gone out with at least more than fifteen girls, they are considered to be able to "pull" girls, but I think anyone can get that many people to go out with them if they tried. I also know girls that have gone out with more that fifteen boys. They are called hoes, slut, and a whole bunch of other names. I think the reason they are called these things is because of the things they do to the boys or let the boys do to them. One of my best friends is now called a hoe because she did some things with this guy. What I'm trying to say is be careful of your actions because they can shape the way your future come out, weather you like it or not. Boys are the ones that aren't very good because they make girls do things, but then call them bad things after. I think boys call girls sluts because they secretly know in their hearts that the girls might be smarter and be able to dominate and embarrass them. Its all about emotions though.

Is Technology Advancing Too Fast?

      Human technology is rapidly expanding. I think this is the result of the internet. The internet was availible to the public starting in 1995 with dial-up connection, thats when I was born. Since then the internet has gotten faster and a lot more complex. About two years ago the first generation of an i-pod touch came out. It was about 200 dollars for a 16Gb. About a year ago I bought a 32GB i-pod touch for the same price. Just about a week ago the new X-box Kinect came out. This allows the player of the game to be the controller. You literally are the controller. There are cameras that follow everything you do and puts it into the game. It can even tell how tall you are. All this technology can lead to lots of bad things though.
      Hackers can easily break through that firewall you just installed and steal lots of information. Mr.Fargher said that in the next era, a single computer will be able to store more memory than everyone in the world combined. Thats pretty scary. Could this mean that a single computer could outsmart everyone on earth. The government is also trying to create terminators and unmanned fighter jets to use in wars. This is not a great idea because hackers can get into those machines and turn against us.
      Since technology is always advancing, not everything is bad. I saw an episode of Future Weapons, where they used hydro-bombs to neutralize other bombs. They put these hydro-bombs next to any explosive and when they ignite it, water completely surrounds the other bomb and neutralized it. The water is strong enough to rip through metal when activated. Technology has also helped save lots of lives. New advances in medicine are helping people around the world live a better life. People are still trying to find a cure for cancer, but I think that there is already a cure, its just that they are still finding a way so that they will make lots of money. Some people are just too selfish. So is technology advancing too fast, or not fast enough?

Impressions of Kite Runner

      So far in Kite Runner, Amir is gradually beginning to redeem himself. He is becoming more and more like Baba, standing up for himself, and finally taking action. He is also becoming less of a coward. I also think that Soraya has really given him him a boost of self-confidence. There has been many twists and turns that I didn't expect. One was finding out that Hassan was Amir's half brother. The other was Amir getting married.
      One very surprising thing that I recently found out in The Kite Runner, was that Hassan was Amir's half brother. When Amir found out from Rahim, he realizes that "as if turned out, Baba and I were more alike than I'd ever known." This makes Amir feel like that him and Baba had a greater connection than he had ever known. I think Baba was so harsh on Amir because he didn't want Amir to take the same path as he did and have a better life. They both did something bad that they regretted, and they also tried to just forget about it, or cover it up. When Hassan came into the world, Baba probably  felt so guilty that he devoted his life into helping people, he also built an orphanage, hoping that one day someone would forgive him. This is similar to Amir because after Hassan got raped in that alleyway, Amir could see the pain and suffering just like when a sheep got killed. He then decides to frame Hassan so he could be sent away. They both have very similar personalities. Baba also says that lying is the worst sin a man could do, but Baba has been lying his whole entire life. I wonder what Hassan would do if he found out about it.
      Soraya is a great influence for Amir. She is like a role model. She's very truthful and is always there for Amir when he is feeling down or needs help. When Baba dies Soraya was there to talk to him and make him feel better. She is much less of a coward than Amir. She has balls to tell the truth unlike Amir. This is exemplified when she told Amir about her relationship with another man just before they were about to marry. Soraya acts like a role model that Amir learns form.
      This book has really given me some insight on what really happening in Afghanistan and how the people there are suffering while in relaxing using a computer and eating kiwi.

Being real is just a matter of perception

Is Facebook a Drug?

This is a response to Ivan Arreola. Yay

 So many people use Facebook in different ways using as it as a tool or just using it for social skill and there also some people as a way to take advantage of others electronically and to harm others. So what is Facebook?

      Facebook is a company that makes a lot of money. It is a social networking site that billions of people around the world use. I think its awesome, but is very addicting. Facebook can also be a drug. Some people are so addicted to Facebook that they update their status every time they do something. According to CNN "therapists say they're seeing more and more people like Newton who've crossed the line from social networking to social dysfunction." Haha, addicted to Facebook, what losers. I think that to be addicted to Facebook, you would have no life. I think people who are addicted to Facebook constantly want to read what happening in other peoples lives.
      Another reason people go on Facebook is to play games. This is the biggest factor. There are lots of people who are addicted to the games on Facebook, not just Facebook itself. Millions of people go on Facebook and play games like Farmville, Mafia Wars, and tons of other games. Tony's Recommendations to cure Facebook Addiction: GO OUTSIDE,  cook, sleep, eat, go on a date, get your best friend in trouble, and a whole bunch of other things that are not Facebook related.
      Even though Facebook may be addictive, it is still a very useful tool for communication. Facebook keeps people connected and happy, if people are addicted then thats their problem. Facebook allows people to talk to each other from different countries. It helps people all the time. It lets people schedule events, talk to people, and even see people pictures. Facebook is a drug, but its a good drug, some people just overdose and abuse it sometimes. This is not even 350 words. I'm so close and I'm almost there. Ohh yea Mr.Sousa lost his keys today. It sucks cause we might not be able to use the field on Monday. Yay 362 words.

Emotions: Love

      Love- a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Everything that I'm going to say is based on my opinion and experiences. Love is the strongest emotion that humans have. It has the strongest impact on peoples decisions and ultimately, what they do. Love comes in many different forms. People love each other for many different reasons too. In Kite Runner Amir finds Soraya. This was probably love at first sight. Can that even happen? I think the chances of finding true love are just about the same as winning the lottery. People feel love every day, toward family, friends, and even people that you've just met. 
      Love, as great as it is also has lots of consequences. When love is lost anger is usually not far behind. One example of this was the Shooting at Virginia Tech. The thing that caused this massacre was a girl breaking up with her boyfriend. The boyfriend gunned down thirty-two random students. Love can send people on rampages that always result in violence. When someone one looses a loved one, they feel depressed, and can lead to psychological disorders. It depends on the person, but usually when someone looses someone they really love, all they think about is revenge. Thousands of people die each year. I will bet 100 dollars that most of those deaths have some connection to love. People also do drugs when they feel depressed. Even though love is awesome, the side affects that come after it are anger, vengeance, sadness, depression, psychological disorders, deaths, and lots of other emotions. I know the kite Runner is based on fiction, but when Kamal dies, his father commits suicide because his love for his son was so strong. 
      Love... in the end, is it worth it? Hell yea! Even though there are consequences, its worth every ounce of pain, strength, and will. There were only two times that I've experienced a strong sense of love toward a girl. Once when I was ten. The second when I was 13. The second time, it wasn't as strong. It feels good to love someone. I love my family, they are awesome and are always give me lots of love. My love toward my close friends is very strong. If they need help, I would always do my best to help them no matter what. If they were about to get shot, I would take a bullet for them. I treat them the same way I would treat my brothers and sisters. They would do the same.....I hope :) 
      There are are ways to tell if someone like you. I'm being lazy right now and don't want to tell you. Maybe in another post. Yay

Response to Kite Runner(First Impressions)

      My first impressions of Kite Runner was that it was disturbing, yet intriguing. There are also lots of twists and turns that I didn't expect to happen. I was so immersed into the story. I felt  like I was right there along side Hassan and Amir just watching everything happen.
      When Hassan got raped I was very surprised. In the part when Amir describes that scene, I didn't think he was being raped until he said it later on in the book. I thought Assef was punching Hassan in the privates with his brass knuckles. I never would have expected Assef to rape him. I don't understand how these eight year olds know about raping other little boys. They must have really bad parents or experiences themselves. I really think Assef is really a Sociopath and need extensive care in a Asylum. This is probably a  factor that led to him raping Hassan.
      Another part of the book that was really interesting to me was the personality of Amir. He is a total coward, a-hole, and so many other words that I want to say. How could anyone with a heart stand in an alleyway and watch your best friends/brother be brutally beat up and then raped. I also don't understand how he is so different from his dad. I would think that he would inherit at least some of his dad's traits, but it seems like Amir is not even Baba's son. I can't believe Amir would would run away when Hassan was being harassed in that alleyway. If  that was me, I would have charged in there and make those three boys beg for me to kill them. When Amir threw pomegranates at Hassan I couldn't believe that Hassan didn't lay a single hand on Amir. Somebody with that much loyalty is very hard to find. I think only 0.000000001 out of the 6.5billion people on earth has that amount of loyalty. I think Amir should go and kill himself for being such a coward. I think that a recovery  from what Hassan experienced will take a long time.
      Overall, I think the story is great so far. I also think that there is a lot of controversy behind it.