Rose’s Comments (group member since Sep 08, 2010)

Rose’s comments from the Off the Shelf group.

The author seems to uphold the importance of family relationships, revering the parents, showing respect to other elders, even the adults making sacrifices for the children. An interesting relationship is the dynamic between adults and children as friends. But he seems to condemn the submissive wife role, and value the Americanized relationship of spouses as equals.

What would it have cost Baba to admit he had an illegitimate child and raise him as his own? Do you think he simply let Hassan be raised by (what's his name) because he is a Hazara? Or do you think Baba made this choice because of how it would reflect on him- a man of prominence having an illegitimate Hazara child?

I found it hard to sympathize with Baba. Sure, Amir is a "spoiled, rich kid," but he is also emotionally neglected by Baba, except on a few occasions when Amir feels close to him. Am I supposed to sympathize with a character who treats one boy with affection as best he can (e.g., facial surgery), but is critical of and rejects the other for who he is (e.g., writer, non-athletic)? Baba's internal struggle with his relationship to both boys seems tragic.

1. Amir discovers that Hassan is his half-brother. Hassan's mother is Hazara, but Baba is Pashtun. In the male dominanted society, what ethnicity does this really make Hassan?

2. If Hassan is really considered Pashtun, why does Baba allow his son to live the life of a Hazara?

3. Baba talks to Amir about stealing and lying. By not telling Amir about his relation to Hassan, Baba essentially steals Amir's right to a brother. Is Baba a hypocrite? Or does he say this out of guilt?

Does anyone have any questions of their own to post?

1. Not having read the book before, the set up makes me think that Hassan actually IS Baba's son... somehow.

As a side note- I find it interesting that the author chose the color of the kite to be blue. This is symbolic of water, as in Hassan's dream. And Amir is the monster holding the string of the kite. The author presents it in a different way, but this also works.

But I get ahead of myself...

1. Why does Baba treat Hassan so well, almost like his own son?

2. What is the importance/significance of the kite fighting? Why coat the string in glass (aside from benig able to cut down other kites)?

3. Is Amir capable of guilt?

Apparently you are the only one participating in this read! What do you think would be a good goal for you? Do you think you can get to page 150 (or the end of that chapter) by next week?

I would like to do a weekly check-in. Maybe every 100-200 pages or so. I am totally flexible on this. Just give me your feedback.

So I guess if everyone is on board, we will read The Kite Runner, and after we're done with this one, we can read one of Mitch's suggestions.

What book would everyone like to read? I am entirely open to suggestions.