Let us now discuss The Kite Runner.
We have spent time gathering a lot of information about the novel, the story-line, the characters, the plot,the central themes, and the big ideas which Hosseini has unfolded during the novel.
Now we need to start articulating for ourselves some of our reaction to the work, and to these ideas which he has revealed. Any comment which you want to make about your experience of the work should be considered and sensible.
If yiou need a bit of nudging, here are some thoughts which yiou might want to pick up and discuss.

1.  The way Amir is presented, we can never really like him, even though he is the hero. But in the end, we develop a sneaking suspicion that he earned some personal redemption.

2.  There are too many parallels and co-incidences littering the novel. These have the effect of making the whole experience nearly like being manipulated, or tricked. Life is not like that.

3.  Hosseini does create credible and interesting characters. Discuss how he goes about building up the characters, showing the development they go through in the events of the story. Also discuss how he positions his characters at odds which each other.

4.  The Kite Runer is a very political novel. We are required to pick up a lot of background information about Afghanistan in order to be able to understand the power of the story. Does this work for you? How relevent to your lives has the story of the troubles of Afghanistan been?

Once you get into the story, and your reading is taking you deeper into the working out of the relationships and issues which Amir has to face, you will find that the novel explores through the narrative, a number of issues or themes which the author is investigating, or interrogating. To help you identify some of these as you are reading, here is a brief list of some of the central ideas which the book explores. Keep these in mind when you are reading, and take note of incidents or experiences which you think touch on these.
*  Identity, self-awareness, and growth of self
*  Friendship, relationship and loyalty
*  Bravery and cowardice
*  History - its impact both on individuals and on countries
*  Human rights, and the abuse of human rights
*  Refugees and resettlement - where is home?

Parallels and Co-incidences: Irony in The Kite Runner

At some stage, I want to build up a battery of references to the astonishing number of parallels and co-incidences which the book contains. Let us do it this way - as soon as you come across a situation or context which parallels another in the book, write it up in the blog. When you find a co-incidence, do the same.
The question we will need to debate at the end is whether these contribute to a better grasp of the work, or whther they weaken the power of the situations becuase they are too fabricated.
But first, let us gather the information.

The Kite Runner

Introduction to The Kite Runner

Most important is that you start by reading the novel. Enjoy it both as a story way outside of your own experience, but also as a experience which will cause you to confront aspects of yourself.

To help you with background and contexts, visit the website called Web English Teacher
Take some time to explore the links, and gain acquaintance with the material on offer.

You should also visit the publisher's website, which has a number of interesting offerings, including an interview with Khaled Hosseini. You will find it here:
http://www.bloomsbury.com/Khaled-Hosseini/authors/602

For some interesting discussions and reviews of the Kite Runner, try looking at this blog:

Good Reads

MAK