July 2026 - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
July 2026 Lit Resistance
Why I chose this book
As I sat down to write this reflection, I struggled with how much of my own thoughts and feelings to share. It is a delicate thing, guiding someone toward a book like The Kite Runner. I cannot honestly say that I enjoyed the read - the graphic depictions of war, violence, and trauma made me deeply uncomfortable and were difficult to digest. But comfort isn't always the point of great literature and I am ultimately glad I read it.
Before diving into this book, my understanding of Afghanistan's history was broad and admittedly vague. This story pulled me past the headlines, offering a visceral look at the Soviet takeover and the heavy reality of life under the Taliban. Through Amir’s eyes, we see a rich, almost idyllic childhood in Kabul, a perspective deeply shaped by his own family's wealth and privilege and not shared by everyone, a fact that is pointed out to him upon his return with significant effect. But the true heart of the novel lies in the devastating complexity of his relationship with Hassan. It is a bond beautifully tangled in brotherhood, with Amir loving Hassan like a brother, yet never quite seeing him as a friend, and certainly not as an equal. Hassan’s love of Amir was returned all mixed up in kinship and servitude which came out as over-the-top devotion. Another strong relationship that I was struck by was Amir and his Baba. Amir’s desperate need for Baba’s respect and approval colouring his every decision and resulted in him standing by while his closest person experienced tremendous harm. Amir is not always an easy character to root for, but his flawed humanity is exactly what makes his journey so compelling.
The Kite Runner forces us to look at what happens when we let fear dictate our actions, and the sacrifices we sometime must make to make amends. It challenges us to sit with difficult, uncomfortable characters, not to excuse their choices, but to build the empathy required to understand what made them who they are. This is exactly why it is necessary to read banned books - they refuse to sanitize the human experience even though it may be difficult to read. I hope that as you read, you allow yourself to lean into those heavy moments and flawed perspectives, perhaps discussing them with others to process the weight. More than anything, I hope you take away a deeper empathy for the lived realities of human rights struggles, and a renewed belief in our capacity for resilience, growth, and change.
It is vital to read books like this with care. Considering the purpose of why the violence is depicted in the story can help process it, and know that it is ok to pause, step away and even break it up with another book if things become too heavy. It also helps to read with others. Discussing the book can help move heavy feelings out of your own head into a helpful and constructive conversation about human rights, resilience, and change.
Recommended age: 16+
I’d love to hear your thoughts on The Kite Runner in the comments below!
Included in July’s bundle:*
100g bag of Golden Chai loose tea leaves
Sticky note pad with a pomegranate illustration
Lit Resistance stickers
*All curated items are hand-picked from small Canadian makers
