Literature Circles: The Kite Runner and 1984 Mrs. McClain’s Reviews

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini Published: pages 25 chapters Set in Kabul, Afghanistan and San Francisco, California, spanning the time periods of About two Afghan childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, who are members of different ethnic and religious groups (Amir is a wealthy Pashtun and Sunni Muslim and Hassan is his servant, a poor Hazara and Shi’a Muslim), and are thus unlikely friends. The story follows their boyhood friendship and adult lives, and addresses such themes as injustice, friendship, father-son relationships, betrayal, and, ultimately, REDEMPTION.

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini Some things you should know… This is one of my top three favorite books of all time (with The Giver and The Red Tent). Almost all of my students to whom I have assigned it have said it was their favorite thing they read in class all year, and some have said it was the best book they had ever read. Some words are from languages spoken in Afghanistan, but context should clarify their meanings. There are some references to the political happenings in Afghanistan from the 1970s until the early 2000s. Understanding this helps in fully envisioning the setting, but you don’t have to be well-versed in Afghan history to pick up on what’s going on in the text. The characters are not always likeable, but are easily relatable. You may see aspects of yourself in them. Terrible things happen to people in this story, but above all, it’s about friendship and REDEMPTION. How do you become good again after doing terrible things? Although the language is a bit tougher, the overall themes, symbols, and large meanings are more obvious than those in 1984, I think. This novel is more about feelings than 1984 is. Note: There is some profanity in this novel, and there is a rape scene that can be tough for some readers to get through.

1984, George Orwell Published: pages 3 parts, each divided into sections Dystopian novel set in the future (kind of like Hunger Games or Divergent) About the struggles of Winston Smith against an extreme totalitarian government that monitors and controls all aspects of people’s lives and uses propaganda and brainwashing to control their thoughts and ensure their loyalty.

1984, George Orwell This is my husband’s favorite book. He REALLY wants you to read it. It is a cautionary tale against people allowing their governments to have too much control. It is a dark book, and is less emotional than The Kite Runner. If you’re looking for something that’s going to give you the warm- fuzzies, this isn’t it. However, if you’re kind of over talking about feelings and just want something sharp, critical, and fuss-free, 1984 is a good choice for you. It reads kind of like Lord of the Flies, without all the description. It is incredibly thought-provoking; it makes you question just about every aspect of any authority figure or institution you have ever known. Think The Giver, but less soft. The big ideas and symbolism are a little less obvious than in The Kite Runner (you’ll have to think harder to figure out why certain parts are important), but the language is a bit easier and, of course, it’s shorter. It is very, very famous. The concept of “Big Brother,” “Proles,” and “Orwellian” come from this novel. It will help prepare you for future classes in English, psychology, sociology, government, ethics, etc. probably better than The Kite Runner.