Carry It Forward: The Kite Runner

To be quite honest, I had never really evaluated an author's motives in choosing to write in a specific genre, especially fiction. While non-fiction is strictly based on truth and fantasy is a limitless realm of wonder, fiction was just different. In my mind, it was a genre that gave authors more freedom in writing their stories but set limits by assuring that they were still believable. To put it simply: fiction was believable make-believe.

This opinion was quickly put to rest during our Kite Runner discussion as we contemplated Hosseini's decision to write a fictional memoir. During the discussion, Mr. Allen brought up the very thought-provoking idea about our public versus our private selves. We choose what we want others to see, leaving the rest to the depths of our private, inner selves. It was then that I realized the intensity of the seemingly-dull fictional genre.

Fiction allows the author to submerge their private thoughts into the context of a story without making them public. It allows them to delve into their own experiences and let another character feel the things they felt, act the way they did. It grants authors the freedom express their inner selves in a creative form.

Now I see that Hosseini's choice was artful and meaningful, as each tear shed by Amir was a tear that once grazed his own cheek and each smile was one that had lifted his spirits. I felt the joy, lonliness, and utter despair of each of the characters as Hosseini wove these emotions out of his own heartstrings, forcing his emotions through those of the characters. Fiction can be as boundless as the fantastic genre or as limited as non-fiction writing, but the choice relies on one's private or public self.