INSTITUTO AMERICANO MONTEMORELOS

AMCO

SUMMARY OF THE KITE RUNNER

EUGENIA SAMANTHA CONTRERAS DE LEN

JANUARY 21TH, 2011

THE KITE RUNNER

This book is about two afghan boys; one is Amir, a well-to-do Pashtun boy, and the other one is Hassan, a Hazara who is the son of Ali (Amir's father's servant), spend their days in the then peaceful city of Kabul, kite flying and roaming through the streets. Amirs father (Baba) is a rich merchant. He loves the same way both boys. Amir secretly believes his father blames him for his mothers death during childbirth. Amir tells us that his first word was 'Baba' and Hassan's "Amir,' suggesting that Amir looked up most to Baba, while Hassan looked up to Amir.

Assef, a violent older boy with sadistic tendencies, makes fun of Amir for socializing with a Hazara, which is, according to Assef, an inferior race that should only live in Hazarajat. He prepares to attack Amir with brass knuckles, but Hassan bravely stands up to him, threatening to shoot out Assef's left eye with his slingshot. Assef and his posse back off, but Assef threatens revenge. Hassan is a very good "kite runner" for Amir. One day, Amir wins the local tournament, and finally Baba's praise. Hassan runs for the last cut kite, a great trophy, saying to Amir, "For you, a thousand times over." Unfortunately, Hassan runs into Assef and his two friends. Hassan refuses to give up Amir's kite, and Assef began to beat Hassan. Amir witnesses the act but is too scared that he returns to his house very ashamed for not helping his best friend. Hassan and Amir kept a distance from each other for some weeks. Amir reacts indifferently because he feels ashamed, and is frustrated by Hassan's saint-like behavior. Amir, filled with guilt on his birthday, cannot enjoy his gifts. The only present that does not feel like "blood" money is the notebook to write his stories in given to him by Rahim Khan, his father's friend and the only one Amir felt really understood him. Amir felt that life would be easier if Hassan was not around, so he planted a watch and some money from his birthday party under Hassan's mattress in hopes that Baba would force him to leave; Hassan falsely confesses when confronted by Baba about the watch and the money but Baba forgives him. Hassan's departure frees Amir of the daily reminder of his cowardice and betrayal, but he still lives in their shadow and his guilt. Five years later, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan. Amir and Baba escape to Peshawar, Pakistan and then to Fremont, California, where Amir and Baba, who lived in luxury in a mansion in Afghanistan, settle in an apartment and Baba begins work at a gas station. Amir eventually takes classes at a local community college to develop his writing skills after graduating from high school at age twenty. Every Sunday, Baba and Amir make extra money selling used goods at a flea market in San Jose. Baba is diagnosed with terminal small cell carcinoma but is still capable of granting Amir one last favor: he asks Soraya's father's permission for Amir to marry her. He agrees and the two marry. After a few days later, Baba dies. Amir begins a successful career as a novelist. Fifteen years after his wedding, Amir receives a call from Rahim Khan, who is dying from an illness. Rahim Khan asks Amir to come to Peshawar, Pakistan, and he wrongly tells Amir, "There is a way to be good again."