I'm wondering if anyone's read past Chapter 5 and 6 that was last discussed myself...

Since there's been no comments since then, I'd like to go ahead with the discussion of Chapters 7 and 8...If anyone wants to discuss beyond that, let me know?

Short summary first though...Maybe that will help everyone refresh their thoughts and help to decide where we proceed in the discussion from there?

Chapter 1, we get a brief introduction of who the key characters will be through the phonecall between Amir and Rahim...Amir, Hassan, Baba, Rahim, and Ali. The hint of ghosts being brought out of the closet with that brief phone call.

Chapter 2, we are introduced to childhood memories of Amir. Especially the strong, yet complicated, relationship between Amir and Hassan.

Chapter 3 shows the conflicting emotions Amir has of his father...That of hero worship yet a feeling he doesn't measure up to his father's expectations. There's also a brief show of his taking his fears and frustrations out on the one he can depend on to accept him...Hassan.

Chapter 4 explains how Ali and Hassan came into the lives of Amir and Baba. It also shows the social rift that is between Amir and Hassan publically. That of Amir being privelaged and Hassan being the servant. Even with the brother-like commraderi between the two, you can see that Amir struggles trying to keep the private relationship/interaction between them seperate from the public expectations.

You also see a selfish and casual abuse by Amir, towards Hassan...Fed by part because of the society they are raised in, as well as by Amir's feelings fostered by his jealousy of Baba's treatment of Hassan. In Amir's mind, Hassan is more like the son Baba expected/desired in mentality/emotionally.

Chapter 5 is an introduction to what is to come...Slowly, the war that has been building up in the region, comes close to home in Kabul....War time has started, yet Baba and Ali try to keep the world normal for Amir and Hassan.

You also get an introduction to a villian in their lives...Assef. The nemisis for Amir and Hassan.

Baba also gives Hassan a wonderful birthday gift. Surgery to correct his harelip...Giving him a smile that would quickly disappear in what would happen that winter.

Chapter 6 disscusses the upcoming winter kite tournamont. The event that would change the lives of Amir and Hassan forever.

I've never heard of it before either ... I thought it was all a tad creepy LOL

Considering what we allow children to play with in this country, it would make sense that you would find it creepy. I found it disturbing as well.

But then, we let our high school kids wreck their knees playing football, so I guess it all balances out...

On to the story...

It seemed amazingly generous to me for Baba to pay for Hassan's surgery. The author did not say, but that would have seemed odd to me if I was his father, even with their closeness.

Actually...The author does say a little of what Ali's reaction was...

"We both looked to Ali, but of course with him you could never tell. His face was impassive as ever, though something sober had melted into his eyes."

It's not much, granted. But let's look at the deffinitions of 'sober' and see if we can come up with how just this little bit of information could have a much larger meaning...

Sober-
1. Habitually abstemious in the use of alcoholic liquors or drugs; temperate.
2. Not intoxicated or affected by the use of drugs.
3. Plain or subdued: sober attire.
4. Devoid of frivolity, excess, exaggeration, or speculative imagination; straightforward: gave a sober assessment of the situation.
5. Marked by seriousness, gravity, or solemnity of conduct or character. See Synonyms at serious.
6. Marked by circumspection and self-restraint.

We can rule out 1 and 2, as this simple comment has nothing to do with alcohol...

We can also rule out 3 and 4, because the prior statement of 'his face was as impassive as ever' pretty much sums up those deffinitions.

Number 5 doesn't quite fit right...Because it's just in his eyes, that Amir comments on, becoming sober...So it's not a physical soberness...

It's purely an emotional soberness, which is what is discribed in deffinition number 6. So the question that arises then, is what is going on in Ali's head, that has him feeling circumspect and showing self-restraint about the gift of Baba to Hassan?

That little bit of a blurb shows that Ali isn't happy with the gift for an unknown reason, but also feels that he can't refuse the gift to his son either. That because it's coming from Baba, he has no choice but to except Baba's decision in this matter concerning Ali's son, Hassan...

You also get another tiny hint, as to why Ali would react this way...The leading up to Baba presenting his gift to Hassan...

The author talks about how in previous years, Ali has always known what Baba was getting Hassan. And that the boys were able to get the information from him, of what the gifts were...But this time, even Ali is kept unaware of the gift and has no explination to the boys of why he's been kept out of the loop this time around.

So what unwritten message is appearing in this gift giving? What exactly is going on in the relationship of Baba and Ali in regards to Ali's son, Hassan?

On one hand, in decisions of giving gifts of a frivolous nature (toys) Baba consults with Ali...But in decisions regarding Hassan's quality of life he does not consult Ali? And even though thier 'master and servant', Ali just hands over authority to Baba, in that regard...He's not happy about it, but something in his eyes 'sobers him up and restrains him' to the reality he has no say in the matter in regards to Hassan's gift.

So is it he feels that although he doesn't like the idea, that maybe Baba knows it'll make Hassan's life easier...Is it a class thing, where as a servant he feels he has no say if his master makes a decision about his or his son's life? Or is there something more to it and the author is unaware of the reason at this time?

That's actually a very good point. I'd forgotten it.

In any case, we find out later that it was not as generous as it seemed on the surface.

In retrospect, it was so much more telling that Baba and Amir had a much better relationship once they were in America.

As a reminder, the complete book is open for discussion.

Personally, I would like to see others thoughts on How Amir would have veiwed the attack on Hassan (and his responsibility, not only from not intervening but that Hassan went for the kite for him in the first place.)

And the decision by Amir's father to take him away.

This turned out to be the worst book club ever.

You must not have seen Supernatural last night.

Actually I did. How great is that show? I absolutely love that they now have a "good" demon. I'm a sucker for those supposedly evil good types. I'm hoping the short brother and that demon will hook up. Yum yum.

The main problem is that the book was started through the holidays...When just about everyone here was busy preparing for the festivities...So the book took a back burner, so to speak...And now we're into tax season as well as the cacauses (sp?)...

I know KOS and myself would LOVE to finish discussing this book...We're just both waiting for everyone who were involved to say 'ok, I've got time now, let's finish the discussion'.

So? Anyone ready to pick up where we all left off?

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