Kite Runner, The

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Feb 2007 by Pearson, Geraldine S

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini ISBN: 1-59448-000-1 RiverHead Books (paperback) May 2004 371 pages

Reviewed by Geraldine S. Pearson, PhD, APRN

This beautifully written debut novel details the story of two boys in Afghanistan. It begins in the 1970s and tells the story of Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman, and his best friend, Hussan, a servant's son. Although they were raised in the same household, the boys experience glaring class differences, especially as they grow up. As young children they spend their days playing and flying kites. This idyllic childhood begins to unravel as the political difficulties in Afghanistan begin to encroach upon their lives. The end of childhood is also marked by a brutal assault against Hussan, witnessed by Amir, who does not intervene. This event haunts Amir throughout his life, even with the Russian invasion of Afghanistan after he and his father immigrate to the United States. Over time, Amir loses his father to cancer, he falls in love and marries, and begins his career as a novelist.

Then, in a communication with a family friend, Amir learns that Hussan and his wife have been murdered but that their son, Sohrab, has survived. The last part of this complex book chronicles his search for this young boy. It becomes a way for Amir to deal with his own guilt about Hussan and ultimately forms a story of redemption and resolution.

This book is an evocative story with many avenues of interpretation. At its heart the novel is a powerful descriptor of the beauty inherent in the Afghan culture, allowing readers a glimpse into childhood prior to the Russian invasion. Whereas idyllic, it is still realistically honest about the class differences.

From a psychiatric nursing perspective, this novel illustrates numerous clinically pertinent themes. Amir's exposure to the traumatic assault on his friend, Amir, haunts him for most of his life and this childhood event has a powerful impact on his adult decisions and feelings. Pfefferbaum (2005) notes that symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are mediated by the event, exposure, and a subjective reaction. This has definite applicability to Amir. Similarly, Weingarten (2004) notes that witnessing the effects of political violence against one generation has a powerful influence on the functioning of the next generation. Readers of this novel become painfully aware of Amir's father's struggle to acclimate to the United States. This is related to the life he has lost in Afghanistan and the change in class.

Another aspect of this book involves the ways that post-traumatic shame and guilt color and influence Amir's life. Complex and pervasive, Amir's feelings after he witnesses Hassan's assault influence later behaviors, especially as he returns to Afghanistan for Sohrab. This book is a study of family secrets and their influence throughout the life cycle.

The Kite Runner is now required reading for all freshmen entering the University of Texas at Arlington. It should also be required for any nurse who is likely to work with an immigrant family whose entry into this country has been influenced by political violence and trauma. Pumariega, Rothe, and Pumariega (2005) note that the United States is a country of immigrants. Firstand second-generation immigrant children are the most rapidly growing segment of the American population. Nurses need to understand these unique influences on functioning and acculturation to the United States.

This is an emotionally painful novel to read. It is powerfully descriptive on all interpersonal levels, including the father-son relationship between Amir and his Baba, the childhood friendship between Amir and Hassan, and the various relationships detailed in the book. The novel reads similarly to a memoir, and Hosseini brings us into the politically chaotic but beautiful world of Afghanistan and one man's journey through guilt and trauma from his childhood.

References

Pfefferbaum, B. (2005). Aspects of exposure in childhood trauma: The stressor criterion. In E. Cardena & K. Croyle (Eds.), Acute reactions to trauma and psychotherapy: A multidisciplinary and international perspective (pp. 17-26). New York: Haworth Press.

Pumariega, A.J., Rothe, E., & Pumariega, J. B. (2005). Mental health of immigrants and refugees. Community Mental Health Journal, 41(5), 581-597.

Weingarten, K. (2004). Witnessing the effects of political violence in families: Mechanisms of intergenerational transmission and clinical interventions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(1), 45-59.

Author contact: pearsong@psychiatry.uchc.edu, with a copy to the Editor: poster@uta.edu