The Duster Today

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The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of a boy from the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul. His life becomes haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend Hassan. Not only was he his friend, but he was also the son of his father's Hazara servant. The backdrop of this story is full of the chaotic events leading up to the Taliban regime. These events include the fall of monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to the safety of Pakistan and the United States, and finally ending with the takeover and control of the Taliban. I have purposefully given a vague overview of the story simply because I believe this is a journey one must undergo through the book or movie.

Books are gateways into worlds that may appear distant upon first glance, but in reality are far more near than one thought. Hosseini's The Kite Runner is one of these gateways. Set in a more modern Afghanistan, one may believe that it is nearly impossible to be able to relate to this story. Humanity contains the puzzle-pieces of various cultures. And what is it that keeps these pieces in place? We are all foundationally the same. Beneath the red, white, and blue exterior, we look the same as those in turbans and long beards … love, honor, guilt, fear, redemption. Not only does Hosseini present us with a great piece of literature, but he also allows us the opportunity to look through the eyes of those we see on television or read about in the newspaper.

As with most great works of literature, The Kite Runner has been transformed into a film production. The director of Finding Neverland, along with other hardworking men and women, took it upon themselves to bring this amazing story to the screen. Typically, this move from paper to film can prove to be a hit or miss - especially whenever dealing with avid book fans. In my opinion, this film production was a splendid portrayal of the book. However, it did leave out certain parts of the story, so I suggest one not read the book right before watching the movie. By doing this, you will not spend the entire time comparing the movie to the book. Instead, you can enjoy the story all over again and this time from a different aspect.

I suggest that one should take part in both reading and watching The Kite Runner, but definitely not at the same time. The fact that Khaled Hosseini's first novel has proven not only to be successful, but also to contain depth within the story, confirms the notion of a promising writing future for this author. It is also very exciting to see a talented beginner and to anticipate his future works.

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