Reading

Last night, I completed reading The Kite Runner. I’d started this book when Kim and I traveled to Florida before Christmas on our brief trip to settle some of Mom’s affairs there. After returning, there seemed to be one thing after another happening, and my book reading time got shoved in the corner. So many folks I know have read this first novel by Afghan/American author Khaled Hossieni. I wondered how much was fact, and how much was fiction. The dedication includes a tribute to the children of Afghanistan. That said, if this novel is even loosely based on facts, the result of the Taliban’s barbaric deeds in Afghanistan is horrendous, at best. How easy it must be [for the Taliban] to recruit young men into its ranks? Imagine both parents murdered, leaving youngsters homeless, no food and water, no spiritual guidance. A place to live, training, food, power and brainwashing surely must be pretty enticing to a young man with nothing. I cannot even imagine the horror stories that must be hidden regarding what happens to the girls.

What provokes thought is that this culture is not the only one that functions this way. Creating hate, terror, fear and ultimately a haven-albeit evil, has occurred over the ages.

Thumb’s up. I could barely put this book down.