Book review 1: “The Kite Runner” – Khaled Hosseini

The narrative begins in Kabul during the 1970s, where Amir and his servant's son, Hassan, form
a close yet complex friendship. The two boys share a love for kite fighting, a popular Afghan
pastime. However, Amir, influenced by societal and familial expectations, often treats Hassan
with disdain. The turning point occurs during a kite-fighting tournament when Hassan is brutally
assaulted while retrieving the winning kite for Amir. Despite witnessing the incident, Amir fails
to intervene, haunted by guilt.
The Soviet invasion disrupts their lives, forcing Amir and his father, Baba, to flee to Pakistan
and eventually settle in the United States. The political turmoil and cultural clashes shape their
identities in exile. In America, Baba struggles with his reduced status while Amir grapples with
his guilt over betraying Hassan. The absence of a mother figure and the strained father-son
relationship contribute to Amir's internal conflict.
Amir receives a chance at redemption when he learns about Hassan's fate. In a letter from Rahim
Khan, Baba's friend, Amir discovers the truth about Hassan's lineage. Hassan was not only
Amir's half-brother but also the victim of Amir's betrayal. Rahim Khan urges Amir to return to
Afghanistan and rescue Hassan's orphaned son, Sohrab, from the clutches of the Taliban.
Returning to a war-torn Kabul, Amir faces the demons of his past and seeks redemption. The
narrative delves into the impact of the Taliban regime on Afghan society, including the
suppression of personal freedoms and the destruction of cultural heritage. Amidst the chaos,
Amir locates Sohrab in an orphanage but discovers the boy is traumatized and unwilling to trust.
The climax unfolds at a kite-fighting tournament, mirroring the pivotal event from Amir's
childhood. To save Sohrab, Amir must confront Assef, the former bully who has become a high-
ranking Taliban official. The intense showdown is both physical and symbolic, representing
Amir's struggle to overcome his inner demons and redeem himself for the sins of the past.
The resolution brings a mix of tragedy and redemption. Amir's sacrifice for Sohrab's well-being
signifies his ultimate redemption, yet the scars of the past linger. The novel concludes with a
sense of hope as Amir and Sohrab embark on a new life in America. The kite flying at the end
symbolizes the renewal of their bond and the possibility of a brighter future.
"The Kite Runner" is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human relationships, the
impact of choices, and the quest for redemption. Through the lens of Afghanistan's turbulent
history, Khaled Hosseini weaves a powerful narrative that resonates with universal themes of
love, forgiveness, and the enduring consequences of betrayal.
The lesson I’ve learnt after done reading the book:
Amir's journey mirrors my own exploration of guilt, forgiveness, and the consequences of
betrayal. Witnessing his struggle with past mistakes, I've come to understand the transformative
power of seeking amends. The novel beautifully illustrates the complexities of human
connections, teaching me that acknowledging my own errors, confronting inner demons, and
taking meaningful action can lead to healing and the restoration of fractured relationships.

Book review 2: “Murder on the Orient Express” – Agatha Christie

Published in 1934, the novel begins with Poirot taking a well-deserved vacation, but his plans are
interrupted when a wealthy American named Ratchett is found dead in his compartment.

The victim, Ratchett, is revealed to be an alias for Cassetti, a notorious gangster responsible for
the kidnapping and murder of a little girl named Daisy Armstrong. The child's family had
entrusted her safety to Ratchett's care, leading to her tragic death. Ratchett's real identity and the
connection to the Armstrong case become central to the mystery.

Poirot is enlisted by M. Bouc, a director of the train company and a friend of Poirot, to solve the
crime. The train is stranded due to a snowdrift, providing Poirot with a captive audience of
suspects. The detective begins interviewing the passengers and uncovers a web of conflicting
alibis and suspicious behavior.

The passengers aboard the Orient Express are a diverse group, each with their own secrets and
motives. They include Mrs. Hubbard, a wealthy American widow; Colonel Arbuthnot, a British
officer; Mary Debenham, a governess; Ratchett's secretary, Hector McQueen; Princess
Dragomiroff, an elderly Russian aristocrat; Countess Andrenyi, a Hungarian aristocrat; her
husband, Count Andrenyi; a Swedish missionary named Greta Ohlsson; a car salesman named
Antonio Foscarelli; an American businessman named Cyrus Hardman; and Ratchett's valet,
Edward Masterman.

As Poirot meticulously pieces together the evidence, he discovers that each passenger had a
motive to kill Cassetti. The revelation that they all played a role in seeking justice for the
murdered child, Daisy Armstrong, becomes apparent. The passengers, motivated by a sense of
collective responsibility and moral duty, conspired to execute the murderer.

They orchestrated a plan where each passenger played a part in the crime to confuse the
investigation and protect the identity of the true killer. The stabbing of Cassetti was a group
effort, with each participant inflicting a superficial wound to make it challenging to determine
the actual murderer. This clever and collective act aimed to serve justice where the legal system
had failed.

In the end, Poirot faces a moral dilemma. Although he is duty-bound to uphold the law, he
sympathizes with the passengers' motives and the tragic circumstances surrounding Daisy
Armstrong's death. He decides to present two solutions to the authorities—the official version
implicating an unknown stranger and the true version revealing the passengers' collective
responsibility.

The novel concludes with Poirot reflecting on the nature of justice and morality. The story
challenges conventional notions of right and wrong, leaving readers to ponder the complexities
of justice and the blurred lines between guilt and innocence.
The lesson I’ve learnt after done reading the book:
The story's exploration of the passengers' collective decision to take matters into their own hands
challenged my understanding of right and wrong. It made me question the effectiveness of the
legal system and consider scenarios where individuals might feel compelled to act outside
established norms for a greater sense of justice. Agatha Christie's narrative encouraged me to
reflect on the complexities of morality, highlighting that in certain circumstances,
unconventional actions may be driven by a deep sense of moral duty.