Book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

I had been sick with high fever, flu and cough since yesterday evening. Nothing much I can do except stay indoors, keep myself warm, had mugs of hot jasmine tea and rest. I remembered the book that Aunty Tina borrowed me not so long ago and decided to read it again for the...I can't remember how many times I read it again and again. Well, today I decided to share it with you all book lovers out there.

The Kite Runner is a story of a boy named Amir, who was born in Kabul in 1970's. He has the talent of writing stories, which the family friend, Rahim Khan always encouraged him to pursue his dreams of becoming a writer. Throughout his childhood, all he wanted is to gain his father's attention - winning the kite running competition is a way for him to get what he always wanted.

The crippled Ali, who grew up with Amir's father as long as their remember served their family well. Ali's son, Hassan (who was born with a harelip but soon had a surgery to repair it, funded by Amir's father as a gift) grew up with Amir and served the young master of the house just like his father did. Loyal to his master, Hassan was Amir's playmate and companion wherever he went.

Despite with the constant taunting from the rich kids around the neighborhood of Amir's close relationship with Hassan, which is more like a family member than a servant boy, nothing seem to stop them from being friends until one day, a sad tragedy happened to Hassan which changes their lives forever and Amir never forgive himself ever since.

It was in 1980's that Amir and his father were forced to flee to America during the Russian invasion. It was a new beginning for their lives. Amir met a lady named Soraya, from one of the families that also fled from Afghanistan during the invasion. A short courtship leads to marriage and despite not blessed with children, Amir and his wife lead a happy life.

One day, a letter came from Rahim Khan, now old and sick and asked him to Pakistan to see him. Amir learnt that Kabul is no longer the place he used to know when he was a little boy. The Talibans had deliberately destroy whatever they saw in sight. Massacres and even bombing the orphanage that his father once build, killing all the children.

Amir learnt that Hassan and his family also killed, except for his only son, Sohrab whom has been abducted by the Taliban. Now, it's up to Amir to safe Hassan's son from the clutches of the Taliban and bring him home.

The Kite Runner is a story of redemption and self forgiveness. So if you plan to get this book, make sure you get some tissues ready! Thank you Aunty Tina for sharing this good book with me. =)