From challenging societal norms to shaping unique understandings of paternal bonds, the captivating narratives of Khaled Hosseini’s novels offer insights into what it means to be a father.
The complexities of human relationships are often explored in Hosseini’s prose. While his works are primarily known for their exploration of Afghan culture, Hosseini also delves deep into the social dynamics of father-child relationships and how such relationships are hampered in the hands of patriarchy. On this father’s day, we want you to focus on the ups and downs of fatherhood and what’s better than reading the three excellent novels by Khaled Hosseini.
Pick up these three novels to explore the impact of fathers on their children’s lives. Walk into your nearest bookstore to read them or Whatsapp on +91-8800200268 to order.
The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner is a powerful novel that explores the significance of a kind father figure in a child’s life. Hosseini presents contrasting fathers in the characters of Baba and Ali. Baba is tangled between his various strength and flaws. His expectations for his son are high, and their strained relationship becomes a driving force in the narrative. On the other hand, Ali represents a more compassionate and loving version of fatherhood and provides emotional support to his son, Hasan. Through these contrasting characters, Hosseini highlights the diverse ways in which fathers shape their children’s lives.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
In A Thousand Splendid Suns, Hosseini delves into the dynamics of father-daughter relationships in a patriarchal society. The characters of Mariam and Laila are both shaped by the influence of their fathers but in vastly different ways. Mariam’s father, Jalil, abandons her in childhood — leaving a lasting impact on her self-worth and identity. In contrast, Laila’s father, Hakim, supports her ambitions and encourages her education. Throughout the narrative, Hosseini explores the impact of having a supportive father and how much the love of a father has lasting consequences in a daughter’s life.
And the Mountains Echoed
The story begins in a small village in Afghanistan in the 1950s. It follows the lives of two siblings, Abdullah and Pari, who are deeply connected and share a strong bond. However, circumstances force them apart when they are separated. Their adulthood is scarred as well as shaped by this loss. The novel delves into the deep longing and sense of loss that resonate within the characters as they navigate their lives in the absence of their father.
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