The Kite Runner- summary

The Kite Runner takes place in Afghanistan during the late 1970's just before the revolution. The main character, Amir is the son of a wealthy, elite member of the Afghan society named Baba. Working for Baba and Amir are two servants, Ali and Hassan. Hassan and Amir grew up together, like brothers but Amir would never considered Hassan a friend due to his race. Hassan is a loyal servant, often compared to in the book to a sacrificial lamb. Baba admires Hassan as a son, and Amir often feels inadequate and jealous of his father's affections. In Afghanistan, it is a tradition to run kites in the winter. It's a very intricate process, but nonetheless it's a socially significant tradition which means the world to both Amir and Hassan. Amir wants to bring home the winning kite to his father to win his affections. Hassan and Amir fight the other kites, and finally their kite is the winning kite. They cut it loose and Hassan runs to bring Amir back the kite, yelling back to him, "For you a thousand times over." A quote which will haunt Amir the rest of his life. Amir begins to worry that Hassan had failed him since he had not returned to him. Amir begins to search the streets for Hassan only to find the neighborhood bully, Assef, and his gang of mischievous delinquents harassing Hassan. Hassan had caught the kite, and was trying to bring it back to Amir but Assef threaten him saying he would hurt Hassan if he did not hand over the kite. Assef told Hassan that Amir was not his friend, that Hassan meant nothing to him but Hassan was relentless. Amir stood hidden away, caught in fear and the need to react. Assef then beat and raped Hassan. Finally did Amir react, by running away. Hassan brought Amir the kite without a word of complaint. Then Amir began to ignore Hassan. Amir's father finally respected him, but it meant nothing to him. Amir then placed a few of his valuable possessions under Hassan's bed to make it look as though Hassan was a theif. As a final sacrifice, Hassan took the blame but then, to Amir's shock, Baba forgave Hassan. Nevertheless, Ali claimed he and Hassan could no longer stay there. Baba broke down and cried for the first time in Amir's memory and begged them to stay, but they left. Years later, Baba and Amir escaped the Afghan revolution to America where they lived a difficult life. Amir married a woman named Soraya; Baba died of lung cancer; Amir graduated college and became a published author. Baba's old business partner contacted Amir telling him it was crucial he meet with him in Pakistan. Amir met with him and learned that Baba had been the true father of Hassan, therefore Hassan had been Amir's half brother. Hassan and his wife had a child, Sohrab, but Hassan and his wife had been murdered, leaving Sohrab in an orphanage. Seeing as Afghanistan was taken over by the Taliban, Sohrab is in danger. So basically Amir rescues Sohrab from the Taliban, it's extremely dangerous and lots of bad stuff happens, and they make it to Pakistan. Amir cannot figure out the best way to adopt Sohrab, so he says if he can get Sohrab to stay at an orphanage for a year, so he can legally adopt him. Sohrab freaks out and tries to kill himself. Amir saves him and takes him to America and adopts him. Sohrab is basically scarred, but Amir does what he can. Finally, Amir has forgiven himself and feels whole once again.