Q4 Outside Reading Week 6 Post B

There are two things I'd like to comment on for this post: writing style and the idea of redemption.
The writing style in this book is first person narration by the protagonist. It remains relatively consistent throughout the book with no point of view switches unlike books like My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult or In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alveraz. But the one exception to this rule is chapter 16. After moving to America, getting married, witnessing his father's death, and starting a life of his own, Amir is contacted by an old friend: Rahim Kahn. Rahim Kahn tells Amir about Hassan and what happened to him after they left Amir's house all those years ago. When Rahim Kahn tells his story, it is in his point of view rather than Amir's. It is the one time everything switches around. It's peculiar, this one chapter not in Amir's perspective. It protrudes from the story, interrupting the smooth flow of Amir's narration, but there must have been a reason why Hosseini put it in there. I think it was told in Rahim Kahn's perspective because he was the one who was there. He experienced it all. And if it hadn't been told from Rahim Kahn's point of view, all of the story would have been in quotes with occasional interruptions of Amir's thoughts. This way, the reader was able to hear the story without interruptions. They were able to develop their own thoughts rather than respond to Amir's. It was an interesting choice for Hosseini to make and while it disrupts the flow of the first person narration, it makes a good contrast to the book.
As for the idea of redemption, it is something that pushes the plot forward. Amir committed a horrible crime by not helping Hassan, a loyal friend, a loyal brother, but he is able to redeem himself when Rahim Kahn calls for him. Amir is presented the chance and while at first he reverts back to his cowardly ways, Amir soon learns that he must do this for Hassan, for himself, for his family. It's funny how when you think you've forgotten something, it always comes back to haunt you. Not until you put an end to it does it go away. You can bury it, toss it, repress it, but no matter what happens, you will never be able to live at ease until the problem is solved, until it's out in the open. While America may have been a place for Amir to bury his sins and pains, they came running after him anyway. He needs to find Hassan's son if he wants to live his life in peace. And when he does, he will prove to be the good person he really is.