Jungle Rumble

Hosseini, Khaled. Kite Runner. New York, Riverside, 2003.

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York, Riverside, 2003.

Rarely do you read novels that transport you to another time, another world and complete envelope you into its pages. Hosseini’s writing has that ability.

I will admit that I had been avoiding reading Kite Runner for years. Everyone raved about the book, but I was hesitant. Too often people sing the praises of a book and I read it expecting great things, but am quickly disappointed. So when the novel should up on the school’s summer reading list, I knew my evasion had come to an end. Some had warned me that the story was slow to take off, but I found the opposite to be true. From the first lines, I was drawn in.

The story unfolds from Amir’s point of view and is of his childhood in Afghanistan. As an adult, he is haunted by his betrayal of Hassan, the son of his father’s servant and a childhood friend. Amir returns to Kabul as an adult after he learns Hassan has been killed, in an attempt to redeem himself by rescuing Hassan’s son. Long after finishing the book, I find myself thinking of it. As Amir was haunted by his sin, I am haunted by his story.

Hosseini’s follow-up to the Kite Runner is A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is easy to describe it as the female version of Kite Runner. To do so is unfair, since to stands alone and on its own merit. The two women, Miriam and Lalia, are of two different generations thrown together by cruel fate and crushing tragedy. Being the first and second wives of a shoemaker, they forge a friendship that withers the storm of their marriage. Set against the backdrop of war torn Afghanistan, this story highlights the war that rages within us and the little victories that make life worth living.

After reading the last page, I had this sudden urge to scoop up my daughter and hug her. I felt so blessed to live when and where I do. We often take for granted how easy our lives are compared to other women (and men) around the globe.