The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Sheila’s Comments: Currently, the library is featuring a display of frequently banned books. This display is aimed to raise awareness of Banned Books Week, an annual event that promotes freedom of public access to a varied selection of literature.

I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini when it first came out in 2003. After reading this haunting and thought provoking book I surmised that it would land on the banned books list. I was right. The Kite Runner is on the top ten list of most banned books in 2008 and the movie was banned in Afghanistan, based on claims of offensive language, sexually explicit scenes, and that it is unsuited to certain age groups.

The story starts out in Kabul, Afghanistan. It follows the childhood of a young boy named Amir (the narrator) and of Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. The two boys live like brothers but come from two very different class structures. Often Amir is frustrated with his father’s lack of attention and is jealous of the way his father treats Hassan, despite Hassan’s lower class background.

During the annual Kite festival in the winter of 1975, 12-year-old Amir passively allows something very bad to happen to Hassan. Amir is overcome with guilt and will not talk about the hurtful event. Amir starts ignoring Hassan completely, destroying their relationship. Not long after the Soviet invasion, their overthrow, and the rise of the Taliban, Amir and Hassan are separated in 1981. Amir’s family goes to America to start a new life. As time passes, Amir settles down in the San Francisco but the guilt he feels is never far from his mind. When a mysterious phone call that comes from a friend in the spring of 2001, Amir is compelled to return to the Middle East. He wants to atone for his sins, but the truth he finds out about Hassan and his father does little to help him forgive himself.

The details of the book are slowly revealed to the reader, but the author builds the story with mounting intrigue surrounding Amir and his redemption. There are some key elements of the story that some might find inappropriate, but I would highly recommend it to anyone over the age of thirteen and up (check status at GPL).

You can learn more about Banned Books Week on Wikipedia or visit the American Library Association for additional information. Come into the library before October 3rd to see our display. Check out one of these great books, and exercise your right to read what you like!