The Kite Runner: A Tale of True Friendship

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner tells the story of two young Afghan men united since birth. Even though protagonists Amir and Hassan are not biologically brothers, their bond runs deeper than a bloodline. Hassan’s father, Ali, is the devoted servant of Amir’s father, Baba. Despite the differences in their social status, Hassan and Amir’s loyalty to one another has never wavered. However, when Amir’s growing desperation for his father’s affection turns into envy of Hassan, Amir feels he must put Hassan and Ali back in their place.

The Kite Runner is a heart-wrenching novel that explores the boundaries of friendship and whether betrayal can shatter a bond meant to last a lifetime.

In this blog, I will discuss why this novel stood out to me, as well as why all of you should read this work of art.

“For you, a thousand times over.”

In their hometown of Kabul, Amir and Hassan are celebrated as one of the best kite-fighting duos. Each team has two members: one who controls the kite in flight, skillfully battling opponents, and another who races to catch the defeated kite before it touches the ground. Hassan’s incredible speed makes him one of the best kite runners in Kabul, and he always helps lead his team to victory. Baba frequently praises Hassan’s kite-fighting skills, but he forgets to acknowledge his own son, who is left alone in the shadows. (Readers will eventually come to realize this is one of the primary reasons Amir feels a strong desire to betray his childhood friend.)

Nonetheless, Hassan always puts his loyalty to Amir first. He chooses to ignore the increasing coldness in his conversations with Amir and instead decides to remain by his side as he always has. Hassan’s low position in Afghanistan’s social hierarchy causes him to receive hate and shameful glances every single day, but none of that matters to him because he is with his best friend. One day, while running to catch the opposite team’s falling kite, Hassan tells Amir that he would do this for him “a thousand times over.” Such a short sentence holds so much meaning, for it reveals that Hassan is willing to do anything for Amir, even if it ends up hurting himself. As a reader, this moment truly touched my heart since it helped me realize what value friendship has in my life—I will never have to cry alone.

“A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.”

Amir’s envy of Hassan ends up getting the best of him, and he begins to forget how much joy this young man brought to his life. Hassan lived for one purpose: supporting Amir, only to realize that his best friend wouldn’t do the same for him. Yet Amir cannot start a new chapter in his life without completing the previous one. His brotherhood with Hassan continues to haunt him, and it is impossible to forget all that his friend had done for him. Whether it was cooking him breakfast every morning or defending him against bullies, Hassan was ultimately the reason Amir remained happy throughout his childhood, even though he was without a supportive fatherly figure.

Amir finally wakes up and decides to make things right with his best friend before it is too late. He returns to his hometown and puts all his effort into ending his and Hassan’s suffering. This moment in the plot reveals a side of true friendship that people rarely see. After long fights and near breakups, both friends are hurt. Think of a friendship like a game of tug-of-war. The only way the rope, or in this case the friendship, can break is if both sides pull hard enough to hurt themselves. Similarly, it takes initiative from both sides to fix a relationship, which is why Amir finally decides to prove that he too is loyal to his best friend.

“War doesn’t negate decency. It demands it, even more than in times of peace.”

A prominent theme in The Kite Runner is how conflict challenges relationships, literally and figuratively. When Afghanistan comes under the control of the Taliban, families are torn apart in an effort to stay alive. This is also the case for both Amir and Hassan’s loved ones. The two young men realize that holding onto grudges is ruining their final chances at happiness, and they embark on journeys to mend their brotherhood. Although on separate paths, both journeys lead to the same destination: a bond stronger than ever before.

This part of the novel truly helped me see the bigger picture when it comes to friendships. It is not worth fighting over silly differences in a relationship; instead, aim to make the bond stronger.

If you have found someone that you enjoy spending time with, make every effort possible to remain true to yourself and your partner. Spend as much time as possible together while embarking on a journey towards true happiness—for life is ever-changing, and you never know what may test the strength of your bond in the years ahead.

In summary, Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner takes readers on a course of reflection. The author forces us to think about why we worry about small issues in a relationship when others are risking their lives to mend theirs. The Kite Runner is not just a novel; it is a work of art, designed to change the way we view the world. I am now able to live every day with those I love, with one single purpose: remaining truly happy.