 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
by Khaled Hosseini. Pages 121 - 140. Go to the Beginning (Brought to you by jat impatientreader.com) Karim tells them that there is no truck to take them to Pakistan, only an empty fuel truck that his cousin has. They agree to ride inside the empty tank to get across the border. Baba helps Amir take his mind off the trip by telling him to think of something good. He thinks of Hassan, and kites. Once they reach Pakistan, they find out that Kamal has died from the fumes in the tank. They try to help Kamal's father, but he grabs Karim's gun and kills himself. The story switches to the 1980s, where Baba and Amir have moved to Fremont, California. Amir remarks that while Baba loves the idea of America, living there has given him an ulcer. They are walking in town when suddenly Baba causes a scene at a grocery store. Amir manages to take him home, where they discuss going back to Peshawar because Baba is having trouble adjusting. But Baba won't hear of it, and says he's there for Amir. Baba works at the local gas station, and won't take food stamps or any kind of assistance, which makes Amir worry about him working the long hours. Amir graduates in 1983 at the age of twenty. Baba tells him he is proud of him, and takes him to dinner and later to get drinks, where he buys rounds for everyone. Afterwards Baba shows him his graduation present, a used car. Amir thanks him, but Baba says he wishes Hassan could be there. Amir freezes up. Amir decides to go to junior college, but his choice of major (English) does not impress Baba. Amir remembers going on long drives, and how America is so different from Afghanistan. Baba decides to buy a van, and he and Amir go to various yard sales to pick up junk. They then start a business selling it at a San Jose flea market. While they are there one day Baba introduces Amir to General Sahib. Amir thinks he remembers him, but he's not sure. Characters introduced: Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen (shopkeepers) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. At the flea market, Amir meets the Afghan general's daughter, Soraya. Amir is instantly smitten with her. Amir asks Baba later about the general, but Baba really knows he's interested in Soraya. He spends much of the winter and spring thinking about when he sees her again on the Sundays they go to the flea market. He invents excuses to walk by her booth, especially when the general is not there. He asks Baba if he wants a soda, but Baba really knows what he's going to do, and asks only that he not embarrass them. Amir walks up to their booth and starts talking to her, and she says that she has heard that he writes. That surprises Amir, since that's not normally something an Afghan woman would find out about a man. Amir asks if she'd like to read one of his stories, and she says yes. Just then Soraya's mother comes by, and asks him to stay, but Amir says he can't and goes back to his and Baba's table. Baba teases him again about it afterwards. Amir finds another opportunity to talk with Soraya several weeks later when she's alone, and she tells him about her desire to be a teacher. He hands her one of his stories, but just then Soraya's father comes up and greets him. He takes the story from Soraya and throws it in the trash, making a point that Amir is not worthy of his consideration if he is not willing to proceed according to tradition. Amir has no time to consider this, however, as Baba becomes sick. He takes him to the hospital, where it is found that he has a spot on his lung. After several weeks of waiting, including Baba refusing to take treatment from a Russian doctor, it is found that the cancer is inoperable. Baba, however, refuses chemotherapy, and berates Amir when he starts breaking down in front of him. Baba continues to sell goods at the flea market, but one day he collapses and Amir has to take him to the hospital. All of the Afghan community turns out to see him, including the general, his wife, and Soraya. Characters introduced: Soraya (General Sahib's daughter) |
|
|
|
Zen, candles, herbs, bookshelves, bookcases, fine furniture, perfume, jewelry, New Age, mind body connection, cooking, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, handmade books, cooking, blank books, art, home decorating, carpets, furnishings, pottery, wine, Zen, gourmet foods, spirituality, tabletop fountains, wind chimes, terrariums, houseplants, Tao, handcrafts, handmade furnishings, artisans, shabby chic, meditation, incense, bells, angels, spirits, tribal arts, Tibetan, Zen, Asian art, India, nature, nature crafts, cooking, aromatherapy, music, folk art, dye, weavings, tapestry, Tao, calligraphy, Tibetan Buddhism, cooking, wind chimes, earth mother, earth goddess, gemstones, garden, talisman, labyrinth, maps, treasures, art objects, fine leather, serious readers, tools for serious readers, Buddha, Krishna, weavings, tapestry, calligraphy, Tibetan Buddhism, earth mother, earth goddess, home decorating, americana, carpets, cooking, library, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, cooking, gourmet food, wine, kitchen supplies, pasta maker, pens, pen set, stationery, book collecting, photography, sauté pans, baking goods, garlic press, cookbooks, cooking gadgets, cooking tools, chef, gourmet chef, pastry chef, coffee, tea, coffee press, teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, pie, baking supplies, grilling, grills, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, potting shed, gardening supplies, bird watching, bird feeders, birding, bird supplies, Valkovalin.com |