THE KITE RUNNER

started: 7/26/05
recommended by a friend. it was superb, as hinted by the fact i read it in a day tho it was longer than the girl detective story. i was bawling. p. 67 and p. 88 were excruciatingly touching. what a somber but handsome novel. this is a must-read.

update: 8/20/05
i must confess i doubt i'll get motivated enough to recount the funny moments in the life of pi as promised in a previous post.

however, i've been intending to attempt to do justice to the kite runner. this book is truly a great work. i'm partial to stories that delve into the human psyche, that tell a tale which exposes the essence of the 'human condition' in original but credulous ways.

powerful indeed are stories that contain strong, developed characters, with whom the reader can connect and journey. stronger yet are the characters with whom the reader subconsciously and inevitably connects and journeys. this book had such characters. and the context, the circumstances, the events manifested by the author are so unique and painfully gripping. one example - i'm not unfamiliar with shame and regret. so i can relate to the protagonist (who doesn't act much like one at all throughout most of the book).

a few lasting impressions:

-i am fascinated by the power of fear and cowardice.
-i am grateful for the small but impressively significant moments that mark life's critical crossroads.
-i am in awe of the bittersweet irony of life.
-i am profoundly moved by the fact that grace, honor, loyalty, and love recognize not the boundaries of class, wealth or religion.

update: 2/7/07
i am rereading the kite runner and it is still a tear-jerker. it is so TOUCHING. hassan !!! =(