Cik Mas Menulis

I’ve just done reading this book in the evening of the 16th of November 2025. This novel is one of the most wanted readings in my list. It was super-duper good, with lots of plots; heart-wrenching situations, almost unbelievable and ridiculous. I stopped quite several times while reading this novel because, at some points, it was overwhelming and my brain needed time to process it.

Let’s just jump to the discussion of this book. All these questions comes from this novel.

1. The novel begins with Amir’s memory of peering down an alley, looking for Hassan, who is kite running for him. As Amir peers into the alley, he witness a tragedy. The novel ends with Amir kite running for Hassan’s son, Sohrab, as he begins a new life with Amir in America. Why do you think the author chooses to frame the novel with these scenes? Refer to the following passage: “Afghans like to say: Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end… crisis or chatarsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan of kochis [nomads].” How is this significant to the framing of the novel?
   • I think the author wants to imply that “what comes around, goes around.” In the beginning of the novel, Hassan was the one who kite ran for him, and then, at the end of the story, it was Amir who kite ran for Hassan’s son, Sohrab. Next, in regard to the passage, I believe what had happened to Amir was “life” that guided, showed, and taught him how to forgive himself and make better decisions.
   • In addition to it, I am convinced the author wants the readers to reminisce the early part of the story, how Amir had ended that way.
   • Lastly, I believe the author wants to symbolise a redemption. I reread the event and found out that Amir was ran away from saving Hassan. In the end of the story, Amir also ran. Hovewer, it’s not because of him being a coward like he used to, but because of the feeling of freedom, like how he managed to redempt his sin towards Hassan, by bringing Sohrab to America and deciding to be his legal guardian.
     
2. The strong underlying force of this novel is the relationship between Amir and Hassan. Discuss their friendship. Why is Amir afraid to be Hassan’s true friend? Why does Amir constantly test Hassan’s loyalty? Why does he resent Hassan? After the kite running tournament, why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan’s friend?
   • I think the type of friendship between these two boys is lopsided. Hassan was really giving it all to Amir, depicted as clear as day in the novel. Amir, on the other hand, was a far cry from Hassan.
   • There are a few reasons why Amir constantly tests and resents Hassan. First, I feel that Amir treated him unfairly and insincerely because of JEALOUSY. He feels jealous seeing his Baba treat Hassan compassionately, justly, kindly—different from how Baba treats him; cold and firm. But honestly, who doesn’t feel jealous though? If I were in Amir’s shoes, I would feel jealous too!
   • Second, society. Every time and everywhere, people would question Amir why he was so close to the “Hazara” boy, which is Hassan. How Hassan was fortunate to have a concerned master. I think it also contributed to why Amir was being half-hearted to love Hassan wholeheartedly.
   • Why does Amir no longer want to be Hassan’s friend after the tournament? I believe it is because he doesn’t want Baba and other people to know that he knew what happened to Hassan and how he had the power to save Hassan and change the situation. I think he felt shame, sinful, and cowardly due to his behaviour. So by removing Hassan and Ali from the house, he would feel relieved, as he thought.