Gurtej Singh Bhamra, Grade 11
UWCEA Moshi Campus
From a country adorned with endless fields of nature, modern technology, and rich literature, Khaled Hosseini was born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan. His father was a diplomat and his mother a secondary school teacher. ("Khaled Hosseini") Hosseini is known for his storytelling and detailed imagery of Afghanistan, most prominently in his novel The Kite Runner, published in 2003. In the novel, Hosseini illustrates his life’s journey through the life of a boy named Amir. Similar to Hosseini, Amir was born in peaceful Afghanistan, splendid with diverse traditions and cultures. This would all come to a tragic end when the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan, and Amir and his dad are forced to leave everything, to migrate to America. Later on, the Taliban takes over Afghanistan, and Amir is forced to return.
I love this book because it not only teaches you history and illustrates the external battles Amir faces, but it also gives you an insight into the internal struggles Amir goes through in terms of regret, earning his father’s love, and seeking redemption. All experiences that anyone can be going through. This combination allows the reader to both relate to the novel and also learn so much from it. The subtle “intensity” of the book keeps you hooked as you find out more and more from each page. This novel also shows that even in times of darkness, people can unite and shine brightly. Despite all the horrors that are going on, and all the torture Amir takes his best friend Hassan through, he still says, “for you a thousand times over ‘’. Another line that stuck out to me is, “A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.”, sadly it is those with the biggest hearts that seem to suffer the most.
I first came across this book on an Instagram story, with the question “what is your favourite book”. Then when I recognized it in a bookstore in India, I swiftly picked it up. Similar to the people of Afghanistan, the community I belong to, the Sikhs have also been persecuted in India for many years. Though I have never lived in the region of my ancestors, Punjab, whenever I go there, I feel my heart is at home. However, the quiet destruction of Punjab makes the place slightly more unfamiliar every day, similar to how Amir does not recognize the place he grew up 30 years later.
What I value most in this book is the lessons it teaches, that everyone has things in life they wish they had not done, words they should not have spoken, or actions they should not have committed. In essence, the only thing we can do is let go and give ourselves another chance, realising that, in fact, you are more than you think you are. I would recommend this book for several reasons, the first is the beautiful storytelling, described in such a way that it feels like you are the one having the memories. The second is the history and culture it teaches you about Afghanistan, allowing you to be more open-minded and empathetic towards the millions of less fortunate Afghans. Finally, the lessons it teaches you that despite all that has happened, “there is always a way to be good again”.
Bibliography:
"Khaled Hosseini". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Khaled-Hosseini. Accessed 26 July 2022.
This line really stuck with me as it shows the endless compassion within people, especially those who have suffered the most.
I love this book because it not only teaches you history and illustrates the external battles Amir faces, but it also gives you an insight into the internal struggles Amir goes through in terms of regret, earning his father’s love, and seeking redemption. All experiences that anyone can be going through. This combination allows the reader to both relate to the novel and also learn so much from it. The subtle “intensity” of the book keeps you hooked as you find out more and more from each page. This novel also shows that even in times of darkness, people can unite and shine brightly. Despite all the horrors that are going on, and all the torture Amir takes his best friend Hassan through, he still says, “for you a thousand times over ‘’. Another line that stuck out to me is, “A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.”, sadly it is those with the biggest hearts that seem to suffer the most.
I first came across this book on an Instagram story, with the question “what is your favourite book”. Then when I recognized it in a bookstore in India, I swiftly picked it up. Similar to the people of Afghanistan, the community I belong to, the Sikhs have also been persecuted in India for many years. Though I have never lived in the region of my ancestors, Punjab, whenever I go there, I feel my heart is at home. However, the quiet destruction of Punjab makes the place slightly more unfamiliar every day, similar to how Amir does not recognize the place he grew up 30 years later.
What I value most in this book is the lessons it teaches, that everyone has things in life they wish they had not done, words they should not have spoken, or actions they should not have committed. In essence, the only thing we can do is let go and give ourselves another chance, realising that, in fact, you are more than you think you are. I would recommend this book for several reasons, the first is the beautiful storytelling, described in such a way that it feels like you are the one having the memories. The second is the history and culture it teaches you about Afghanistan, allowing you to be more open-minded and empathetic towards the millions of less fortunate Afghans. Finally, the lessons it teaches you that despite all that has happened, “there is always a way to be good again”.
Bibliography:
"Khaled Hosseini". Encyclopedia Britannica, Invalid Date,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Khaled-Hosseini. Accessed 26 July 2022.
This line really stuck with me as it shows the endless compassion within people, especially those who have suffered the most.
www.unitedworldwide.co