Jennie Jacques Instagram – The book eclipsed the movie “a thousand times over.” Skip the film and read the novel. I do not know enough about the history of Afghanistan but reading this has made me seek to learn more. The son of a rich Afghanistan Merchant, Amir, steers the narrative in the first person, introducing us to his “best friend” Hassan & their complex relationship. A local kite flying championship leads to a shocking & horrific “event” which haunts the boys, the reader & any person who comes to know what happened. This is book about friendship, family relationships, cultural differences, power, abuse and war. There is a strong reference to the divide between those born into money and those born without. Redemption sits at the core of the writing. It’s easy to read, informative & mind altering. Set in the 1970’s when the Russians invade, Amir and his father (Baba) have to flee the country and end up creating a new life in America. Hassan, his family & the memories of “the event” are subsequently left behind. That is, until an old friend (ex business partner of Baba) places a call to Amir, who is now an adult living his life in California with his wife Soraya. The couple are dealing with infertility & Amir’s father is dying, but something else from the past eats away at him. The call from Rahim Kahn ultimately provides Amir with a way to “be good again.” Upon returning to Afghanistan 🇦🇫 naturally Amir feels like he’s “home”but it is not long (under the Taliban) that Amir realises he is in fact a tourist. I read the kites 🪁 represent freedom & individuality – along with the guilt & shame that plagues Amir. It’s a very powerful & poetic story. Amir becomes a successful writer ✍️ 💥 living his dream. But what pulls your heart hardest is when he becomes an unexpected father. The relationship between Amir & his own father is troubled, so there’s something profound & extraordinarily layered with the way in which Amir eventually becomes a parent #books #booklover #bookrecommendations #love #lovereading #thekiterunner