Check out our wiki!

Add to the discussions!

Book Review

You must contribute to our discussion forum at least five times with pertinent, relevant, interesting, and/or poignant contributions of at least 100 words each.  If you cannot do that many words per response, please add to more discussions.  You will get more points if your discussion links to research and resources.  You may contribute the the discussions I have started on our Ning site, or you may create your own discussions, as long as they relate to The Kite Runner.

The Kite Runner 1-23 - On page 22, in regard to his son, Amir, Baba says, "I wasn't like that at all, and neither were any of the kids I grew up with."  Explain what Amir is like. Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Compare him to the kids you grew up with. 

The Kite Runner 24-47 - Based on the reading, respond to the following quote: "Never mind any of those things.  Because history isn't easy to overcome.  Neither is religion.  In the end, I was a Pashtun and he was a Hazara, I was a Sunni and he was a Shi'a, and nothing was ever going to change that.  Nothing" (p 25).  What does this say about Amir and Hassan's friendship?

The Kite Runner 48-79 - Reread the first line of the book: “I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975” (p 1).  What does this have to do with your assigned reading?  Describe your feelings as you read these chapters.  

The Kite Runner 80-109 - If you had only one word to describe the motivation for Amir's actions in this part of the book, what word would you choose?  Find a definition for your word, and then show examples from the text (you may want to include some of Amir's own words and actions) that demonstrate the accuracy of your word choice.  Try to judge Amir by either defending or condemning his actions.

The Kite Runner 110-142 - In chapters 11 and 12, we find that Baba and Amir have had to flee Afghanistan.  They suffer through some harrowing incidents.  Try to put yourself into this situation.  How would you handle all of the things they  experience?  What do you think of Baba at this point in the story?  Contrast his character with Amir's.  What are the similarities and differences at this point?

The Kite Runner 143-165 - Reread pages 156 and 157.  Baba is given the option to get chemotherapy for his cancer.  He decides he doesn’t want it.  Explain what motivates this decision.  Please write about how Amir reacts to Baba’s decision as well.  Put yourself into these positions.  How would you react if you were the father in this situation?  How would you feel if you were the son? 

The Kite Runner 165-189 – Is it a coincidence that as Baba’s life ends, Amir’s life (to some extent) begins?  Amir is married and trying to have a child.  What is Amir’s reaction to his father’s passing?  Find his words in the text to show where or how you recognized his emotions.  How does he feel when he finds out he cannot make a baby with Soraya?

The Kite Runner 190-223 - Amir gets a call from his old friend, Rahim Khan, who tells him, “There is a way to be good again.”  Explain what you think this will mean.  On page 211, Rahim Khan states, “It always hurts more to have and to lose than to not have in the first place.” Describe this sentiment.  Can you think of anything that it reminds you of.

The Kite Runner 223-258 - Now you know that Baba is also Hassan’s father.  How do you feel about Amir’s reaction to this information?  Try to compare and contrast the relationship between Baba and Ali with Amir and Hassan’s friendship.  If you need additional guidance, turn to the back of your text and read discussion Question #17.

The Kite Runner 259-292 – Is it too coincidental that Assef reappears at this point in the story?   Were you surprised?  Does it seem natural that he is the person in charge of punishing people for their sins?  Explain you reaction to the violence and graphic descriptions of torture and brutality in these last pages. 

The Kite Runner 293-310 - What is Amir going through at this point in the story?  What is he seeing?  What is he thinking?  How does Rahim Khan’s letter affect him?

The Kite Runner 311-343 - How old is Sohrab?  What was your life like at his age?  How did you feel about promises at his age?  Raymond Andrews says, on p. 332, "It's a dangerous business making promises to kids."  Why is this significant in this part of the reading? 

The Kite Runner 343-371 – Read the praise from The Washington Post Book World on back of your book. Compare it with the quote on the front of the book from Isabel Allende.  Look up the words “salvation” and “redemption” and discuss to what extent you agree with these quotes.  Use your text to prove your point.