Kite Runner - Blog #3

Book- Kite Runner

Author- Khaled Hosseini

Plot twist! Plot twist! Plot twist! We all knew the book would take a bad turn sometime soon but I was never prepared for this climax. I won't spoil anything of course but there are definitely some major points in the story that continue to deceive the reader time and time again.

 Khaled Hosseini throughout this entire book drew us in chapter by chapter. Many people in my class reading Kite Runner like I am have very different opinions of Amir. It's like a rollercoaster with Amir, he is always changing his mind and ideas about everything. He can go from tormenting Hassan to then realizing how smart Hassan truly is. While debating on whether or not Amir considers Hassan as a real friend, Hassan continues to be an amazing, loyal friend to Amir. He will do anything Amir asks and treat him as a king. Amir uses Hassan's lack of knowledge as entertainment for himself, teaching him wrong things and taking full advantage of him.

I think the reason most people do not like Amir further into the book sort of connects to this quote. "You are here now with the power to shape your day and your future" means you are the creator of your own path. Amir had the choice and decision on where he would take his life and how he should want to be seen as a person. For the people who read the entire book, we know he didn't steer his life in the right direction. What frustrates readers is simply how he treated Hassan without ever telling him some of his real thoughts of Hassan being smart or a nice person, he sheltered himself behind a nasty shield.

If he ever told Hassan what he was really thinking a majority of the time, would he have still been in the same position? Or would his friendship with Hassan never suffer because it wasn't based on lies?

Kite Runner - Blog #2

Book: Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

It is inevitable that we follow in our parents' footsteps. Very early we are transfixed into what becomes a familiar routine growing up, it becomes a normal environment for us. Life for Amir however definitely wasn't natural. Is he accustomed to his environment/way of living or still trying to figure out the life he wants for himself?

As of now I am on chapter seven, and we still have not figured out why Amir is so shameful with Hassan. Finally entering winter of 1975 Amir says something that stuck out to me, "Hassan's face changed. Maybe not changed, not really, but suddenly I had the feeling I was looking at two faces, the one I knew, the one that was my first memory, and another, a second face, this one lurking just beneath the surface". He claims after this he had seen the unsettling second face before. Once Hassan blinked he was back to being just Hassan. What could have triggered this? This might be the way Amir views him, very mysterious. When talking about the Kite Race we see a complete opposite side of both Hassan and Amir. They carry a bond with kites and work so good together. It's hard to tell the feelings Amir has for Hassan, shifting feelings back and fourth depending on what they talk about. Seeking for his father's approval/attention, Amir wants his father to think the best of him.

"Better to get hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie"

I think this quote applies to Amir the most. This connects to him because he is constantly messing with Hassan and giving him false information about different things. Hassan is illiterate and only learns what Amir teaches him, saying as he doesn't attend school. Amir finds humor in Hassan's lack of knowledge and taking advantage of him. Although there are moments where Amir thinks maybe what he does isn't right. The way Amir treats Hassan is hot and cold. These memories of fooling around with Hassan is what I believe hurts Amir the most now, as he regrets every bad thing he did to Hassan. 

Kite Runner - Blog #1

Book: Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Have you ever regretted something in your life so badly it never really went away? Where you wish you could reverse time and take it all back so that you could have a clean slate and start all over? Regret constantly eats us alive because nothing we do can change our actions of the past, so we are forced to carry this guilt with us and try to learn from it what we can.

Young Amir is one of the lucky ones. Rich home, even has a servant to cater to the family's every need. Fortunate enough, with the servant came a son Hassan, who comes to be one of Amir's best of friends. “But he’s not my friend! I almost blurted. He’s my servant! Had I really thought that? Of course I hadn’t. I hadn’t” (chapter 5 page 41) Internal self vs. self conflict shows as Amir isn't sure whether or not to consider Hassan as a friend or as only the servant's son; a mere source of company for when Amir is bored.

Opening up the story with an unexpected phone call from what  seemed like a different world, set Amir back before the winter of 1975. He flashes back to the fun childhood he shared with Hassan and how different everything had once been. There is a way to be good again. These words came from Hassan. After years of not existing in each other's lives, Hassan gives Amir a phone call, reassuring him that he should not feel guilt anymore. I think this was Hassan's way of giving Amir a sense of open arms in hope that he would finally let go of the past and not let his own guilt get in the way of his friendship with Hassan. But could Amir truly forgive himself for the horrible thing he has done?

The big question throughout the story as of now, is that even past eight chapters in the story we have yet to figure out what Amir did to Hassan. Will they ever tell us? Or will they leave us in suspense the entire book?

Saving Max - Blog #3

Book: Saving Max

Author: Antoinette van Heugten

Who would you believe in a serious situation? A stranger you had just met a couple of days ago, or a loved one? Most of you would automatically choose to believe your loved one. Why wouldn't you? You know them inside out so of course you would believe them. No stranger could ever take the trust like a loved one can. What if it is your own son, who you know has an anger issue. Would Danielle believe her son Max? Or will she hesitate, as if he's a complete stranger?


After being on a tedious phone call from work, Danielle heads back into Maitland where she and Marianne were with their sons. She hurries back in to hear an outburst from Max, and cries from Marianne. She comes to see big body guards suppress Max as he yells out curse words while Marianne hovers over her poor son. A pile of blood surrounds Jonas. What did Max do? Soon from Marianne, Danielle comes to know once Jonas tried going over to Max to give him a hug, Max lashed out. Pushing Jonas into a corner, splitting his head on a sharp corner (causing the blood). However, when talking to Max later on, he claims he only pushed Jonas, where as Marianne said he hit him. Marianne turned to Danielle and said, "Oh, God, Danielle, you've got to help me, promise me that you'll keep your boy away from Jonas." (Page 40) Marianne is informed from one of the Nurses, Jonas will be okay and that he is being sent to the Emergency room. Comforting Marianne, Danielle speaks with a nurse. She begs and pleads for them to not hurt Max. She reassures them Max didn't mean it. The nurse tells Danielle how her boy has been out of control too much, so she has no choice but to sedate him with a syringe to calm him down. Max will not be allowed to see anyone until the nurse sees he is in a more controlled state.

Here's something to think about. What might happen if Max were to lash out at Jonas again? What would they then do with Max, if after one incident they sedate him? How far would they go each time he gets worse? Will he even get worse? I am going to predict that Max will have another incident whether it is with Jonas or somebody else. After the second incident I think they will remove Max from Maitland and move him to a more strict Psychiatric hospital. From doing this, Danielle will lose her mind and do everything she can for Maitland to allow Max to stay, promising he will get better. Who knows what will happen with Max. He may get better, we never know. But I feel this isn't the only time he will lash out on someone. With his temper, it would not be very surprising.

Saving Max - Blog #2

Book: Saving Max

Author: Antoinette van Heugten

Can people really change? Can their thoughts on the weight of the world lighten up? Max is in a dark place, being caught with drugs countless numbers of times, and lashing out at his mother (Danielle) constantly. In my previous blog post I really focused primarily on introducing each character and explaining the situation thus far. Now that I am gradually breaking into the book more and more, the details have increased for it will not only show dialogue, but express their internal thoughts in between the conversation

“Eyes closed, she gave herself up to the languid moment of mother and child, perfect in its communion and impermanence- so intense as to be indistinguishable from piercing sadness or exquisite joy" (page 19). Danielle drives, and drives and just thinks about all she has been through with Max. Hoping that Max doesn’t wake up, Danielle lights a cigarette to get her mind off of everything. Remembering when Max was just a child whom gave his mother constant love and appreciation, Danielle’s heart warms as she glances over at the poor precious boy she barely even recognizes anymore. These positive thoughts shortly shift as she’s welcomed by the white, arched gates that will soon take away her entire world, Max. 

Whiffs of disinfectant swarm the room as parents and juveniles file hesitantly into the room.  It’s a group gathering. Max, angry as usual, stands by Danielle’s side as Danielle gazes at all parents that are just like her. Stressed, tired, tense, and desperate in a sort of way. She soon makes direct contact with another woman rushing in her son, her name is Marianne. Once the confidential stories of heartache are soon to be over, Danielle gets to know Marianne a bit more. She is a part time Pediatric Nurse and her son’s name is Jonas, he is self-inflictive and his diagnosis… retardation and autism.

Being told she is not able to visit Max all the time, Danielle's broken. What will Max think of her? Will he be angry she never sees him? Relieved? Who knows what will come of the limited visits. She goes out to lunch with her friend Marianne while they continue to learn more about each other and how they have coped so far with their children. "No matter what her difficulties with Max, they are child's play compared to this poor woman" (page 34). I think it is good Danielle found someone in a similar situation so she could put things in a better perspective. She has only dealt with Max on her own, so to see another woman struggling even more, brings Danielle to feel a bit more relieved. 

Like I said in my last post, this story would transform into a beautiful film. I personally think Logan Lerman would do this part the best. With his exquisite performance in Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Logan portrayed his mentally ill character extremely well. Who would you want to see in the role of Max?

Saving Max - Blog #1

Book: Saving Max
Author: Antoinette van Heugten

Beginning this book, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. When I go to check out a new book, I never read the summary. But I can sure tell you this, after reading the first few pages, not only did it capture me...It took my mind on a wild ride that I'm excited to continue!

The book starts out when they introduce Max's mother, Danielle. Right off the bat we come to know Danielle down to the core. While struggling to balance her life she is constantly reminded that her son has not only been told to leave school, but also one big fact.

Max has Aspergers.

If there is one thing that keeps Danielle going, it's her remembrance of the good times with Max when he was a younger boy. Giving her affection as he barely looks at her now, and letting her in on his daily life as now he resulted in doing drugs and hiding his secrets in a journal. Always treating Max normal and trying to take one step forward, Max's actions are what bring them 5 steps back. Danielle is close to hitting her breaking point until she is rekindled with her good friend Georgia. Conversation soon heats up when Georgia spots suspicious marks on Danielle's arms. Fighting to pull away, Georgia grabs her wrist revealing the long, red slashes stretching from pulse to elbow. After seeing Georgia's reaction and initially saying it wasn't anything to worry about, Danielle quickly rethinks what she had said as she goes in to see Dr. Leonard along with her son. The doctor and Danielle come to terms with the fact that Max needs a drastic change now, as he is spiraling downward. They agree that they will have to send Max to Maitland Psychiatric Asylum. This is a place Danielle has not only dreaded, but tried putting in her own head she would never result in doing that to her son.

I would love for this to be brought up into a movie. If it became a film we could really get a glimpse of Max's actions more thoroughly. Through a book we are creating an image of him in our minds but to be able to see Max personified in a movie would not only give a rewarding performance, but leave you with something that will stick with you for weeks after seeing it. This book could really be captured nicely through film if it's done right!

Multiple motifs have already shown in only the first 4 chapters of the book. Coming Of Age speaks a lot in this book because Max is coming of age throughout the whole book. He's becoming more of a teenager which is what has been worrying his mother Danielle the most. Where will he take his life? Which path will he take as he becomes more independent? Will he ever change his ways? Character- destruction, building up in my opinion refers directly to Maitland Psychiatric Asylum. This is the place he is suppose to find himself and work his way up from there. Building character is what will (no pun intended) save Max.

I'm very anxious to see where this story goes. The way it has captured me thus far, I know it will continue to move me til' the very last sentence.