Amir is a well to do Afghan boy living in Kabul when his life suddenly becomes so guilt ridden that he resorts to driving away his best friend. Yet does he know that years later his nightmarish childhood will catch up with him in America and take him back to Afghanistan hand in hand? Not only does Amir come face to face with his demons but he also learns that the most honest person in his life, Baba, has been lying to him his whole life.
The first and second halves of the book have plots that are quite similar. Almost all of the events that occur in the first half directly affect what happens in the second half. Early in the novel Hassan threatens to shoot out Assef’s eye with a slingshot in order to protect Amir. Hassan doesn’t do this but later on his son Sohrab does. Sohrab does it to protect Amir, which makes it even more ironic. When Hassan was a child he was more then proficient with a slingshot and his son Sohrab also inherits that skill. When Amir is also a child he is threatened by Assef and almost beaten up. Later when he is an adult and visiting Afghanistan, he does get badly beaten by Assef. Assef takes revenge on Hassan even worse though and he is raped early in the story. Sohrab also lands in Assef’s hands and receives the same treatment. Amir can’t deal with the guilt he experiences after he witnesses what happened to Hassan so he manages to drive Hassan out of the house. When the Soviets begin to invade Afghanistan, Baba and Amir leave the country. Later in the novel Amir is faced with the task of getting out of Afghanistan again and avoiding the Taliban. He is now the adult in the situation and is trying to rescue Sohrab.
When Amir goes to American he marries Soraya, the daughter of a General from Afghanistan. Before they are married Soraya tells Amir that she has a dark secret. Amir also has a dark secret that he doesn’t tell her for years to come. Soraya and Amir also lack the ability to have children. Ali was also unable to have children. Baba was actually the father of Hassan. This becomes problematic for Amir because Baba always told him that stealing was the worst sin because it affected everyone although he himself stole Ali’s right to a wife and child. Baba never tells Amir about this and Amir finds out from Rahim Khan, just before he is about to die. This news makes Amir have to face all of his past troubles. He had to go back into Afghanistan and rescue Sohrab and he ultimately makes the decision to adopt him. Baba accidentally had an illegitimate son and now Amir and Soraya have one as well.
Baba’s secret greatly influences the events in the novel. Baba gives attention to Hassan and seems to prefer him to his own son so in return Amir strives for Baba’s affection. It influences Amir into getting Hassan out of their house and many more events throughout the story. It also sets the tone for Amir’s life, as well as Hassan’s.
