Kite Runner Book Review and Plot Summery

Everyone has favorites, but they never give a damn about those who look up to them. Khaled Hosseini, author of the novel “Kite Runner,” explains how a boy named Amir always looked up to his dad, Baba, while he was distracted by Amir’s servant, Hassan. Baba had certain expectations that he expected from Amir. Amir could never be the person Baba wanted him to be. Hassan was. Baba’s attention shifted from Amir to Hassan. Thus, Amir’s only way to get Baba’s attention was to have Hassan out of the way. Baba always seemed disappointed in Amir and never really respected him as much as he did Hassan.

Baba, Hassan and Amir went to the pond where they skipped rocks. Hassan easily skipped the rock 8 times while Amir mostly got only 5 times. Baba always favored Hassan; “Baba was there watching, and he patted Hassan on the back. Even put his arm around him.”(p. 14) Even though this was only rock skipping it actually clearly showed how Amir always was the second best, not the best. When Baba patted Hassan on the back, that showed how Baba is proud of Hassan and how Amir is left out.

Similarly, Baba wanted Amir to be into soccer as he was, and be as successful as he was. Amir was never interested in these things. Like Rahim Khan said once “you don’t get to color them in whatever color you wanted,” which meant that Baba can’t have Amir to be exactly like he wants him to be. In fact, Amir is almost the opposite of Baba. Baba too mentioned this; “If I didn’t see your mother giving you birth I wouldn’t have believed that you were my son.” If I were in Amir’s shoes I’d be so mad. Amir asked Baba if they’re going to get new servants and Baba doesn’t react very well, “‘I said, do you understand?’ Baba roared. I flinched ‘Yes Baba.’ ‘Hassan’s not going anywhere,’ Baba snapped.”(p.90) Baba’s loudness was described as “roar.” Roar is a very strong word that is portrayed as being the loudest that anger gets. At this point Baba just can’t keep up with trying to change Amir.

Surprisingly enough, Baba actually starts to get friendlier with Amir. Maybe its because Amir got older and a bit wiser. Or maybe it’s just because Baba isn’t as rich as he was and starts to actually love his son; “We sank in our seats, laughed until tears rolled down our cheeks…” (p.137) In this passage it is clear that they are having great time together. This is the first time in a long time where they actually spend good quality time together. They both start to raise money by buying things at garage sales and selling them for more at the flea market; “We mapped our route…We stopped at garage sales…We hangled over old sewing machines...We…We…” (p.137) “We” is constantly repeating itself. This shows how they actually bonded; from “I” to “We”.