(9/29/2008)
The Kite Runner Is a story about a young boy growing to be a man, and the unnatural challenges he faces along the way. The frustrating and sad read leaves the reader asking, “Why?”. That was the question I found myself asking the most. Whether it was why the character was placed as he was, or whether it was because the events in the book left me wanting to throw the book down my hallway.
The early events are a true account of loyalty, friendship, and troubles. But as the book progresses, it appears to be continuing down the latter path! Instances are not what they seem at first, and parts that seem uplifting and hopeful for the main character turn out to be angering or saddening parts.
On the plus side, it is an interesting read and gives us a slight insight on Afghani tradition. The characters also are very well made up in their certain characteristics. While reading the book I grew to get a feel for each of the characters and their ways. Not many books can get firm grasp on characters.
The final conclusion? No. 1 of 5 stars. The book has too many depressing areas and subjects. You find yourself just begging the author to make the story a bit uplifting at points; just even one single event to make you like the main character or the storyline. As for the Afghani insights, I've learned more from a half an hour show on the discovery channel; and that wasn’t depressing to watch.
The only objection I have to allowing The Kite Runner in high schools, is because of the depressing matters, and the angering instances. I do not think it should be banned because of that one instance though. Even though i despise the book, I do not feel that it has a reason to be banned from high schools. If a student is not strong enough to handle the “situations”, its pretty sad. The areas that were “explicit” were not even that much explicit. Very slightly disturbing. I found I was more disturbed with the main character and author for what he was doing than I was with the instance that was being portrayed.