When I first picked up Khaled Hosseini’s most famous book, The Kite Runner, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The book’s description was vague and gave no indication of what I would be reading, so I opened up the first page, and became immersed in the story. While reading, I found that I couldn’t put the book down. All day, I sat there, eagerly devouring every word. When I finally finished reading, I closed the book, stunned. This was a book unlike any other.
The Kite Runner was so different from anything else I had read because it was raw. Hosseini made no attempt to mask any of the unpleasant aspects of life in Afghanistan, and he certainly never shied away from it. However, there was no shock factor involved. When he explained about the Taliban, he did so in a matter of fact way. He wrote everything simply and honestly to develop empathy in the reader. At times, reading this story hurt because of what the characters had to go through and the situations they faced, but what hurt even more was that people around the world actually encountered the problems he described. It was a chilling look at the reality of others.
Although these characters lived in a world much different than mine, the struggles of the characters were universal. Hosseini explored themes of guilt, redemption and love through individuals that were both flawed and insightful. They weren’t always likable, and they were certainly not always moral, but they were human.
Khaled Hosseini is an author who brings his stories to life. His books have rightfully earned their place in the world of great literature, and I cannot wait to see what this astonishing author has in store for us in the future. The next time you find yourself at Chapters, or the public library, please consider reading a Hosseini novel because they will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget, and open your eyes to another world.
“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”
– William Styron
To learn more about Khaled Hosseini and his novels, visit http://khaledhosseini.com/
