This very popular book published in the year 2003 has been with me for sometime. I never got around to reading it. Recently when a friend was all praise for this book and called it a masterpiece, I decided that I must check it out.
The story is set in Afghanistan. Doesn't that country invoke a kind of natural curiosity in everyone? Narrated in the first person, the initial plot revolves around life in Afghanistan as seen through the eyes of a boy Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman. The friendship between Amir and Hassan, the son of a servant is an interesting one. Amir is the privileged and self-possessed one, while Hassan is the self-sacrifising and loyal friend. The undercurrents of customs, caste, class, and culture of Afghanistan are also well captured.
Then the Russian invasion takes place and the plot shifts to America, where Amir and his family take asylum. From here, the plot suffers somewhat and the events seem too contrived. The coincidences seem bewildering and these happen after Amir decides to return to Afghanistan to find redemption for his past deeds.
The book succeeds in conveying the sad plight of the millions of children caught in the tragedy that was the rule of the Taliban. Khaled Hosseini displays a strong narrative skill and makes the plot work to inform readers from all over the world about the destruction that a bunch of blind believers can wreak on an entire country and its people.
1 comment:
This is one of my favourites by far!
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