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personal reaction to the novel

I was bothered by Rahim Khan's deception.  While I expected Amir's betrayal of Hassan because of Hosseini's extensive foreshadowing, I did not expect Rahim Khan who seemed like Amir's moral compass to withhold the truth from Amir.  When Rahim Khan reveals to Amir that he and Hassan are half-brothers, Amir is furious and rightly so.  I know that Rahim Khan was keeping his word to Baba and most likely trying to protect Ali's pride, but I wanted him to tell the truth earlier, not only because it is the morally right step to take but also because it most likely would have prevented Amir's harsh treatment of Hassan.

I was distressed by Baba's basic attitude and feelings toward Amir. He did not value his son for the unique person that he was, always feeling--and communicating--that Amir was somehow deficient. Amir, as do all children, needed his father's love and approval. Baba was more concerned with his own feelings than with his son's. He rejected Amir largely because he could not find himself reflected in Amir. He said at one point that he wouldn't believe that Amir was his son had he not witnessed his birth. Baba's attitude was selfish and self-indulgent. A child is not meant to be a carbon copy of the parent. A child should be loved and valued for himself or herself.