Judging from appearances, I'm among the few readers who did not take the time to check out the 2005 bestseller The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Fans of the book may know that Hosseini's book was voted as the top book group selection of the year in a poll conducted in the United Kingdom in 2006. The Kite Runner also made it's debut as a major motion picture last year and the film, directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, 2004) was nominated for a slew of awards including a recent Academy Award nomination for best achievement in music written for a motion picture.
My son, who still lives at home and works for a major corporate chain video store, arranged for my spouse and I to enjoy the newly released DVD edition this evening. For those like myself, who didn't read the book or view the movie when it was in theaters, setting aside a free interval to see the film is certainly well worth the time.
A discussion ensued after the film had concluded at my house because my spouse was born and raised in Japan. A good part of his formative years growing up in post-war northern Japan were devoted to the flying of fighting kites very much like the two Afghani youngsters whose lives are so compellingly told in the movie.
Interesting enough a flier I picked up at a local library produced by the Tacoma Art Museum passed on the news that April is National Kite Month! Which now leads in a roundabout way to plug a timely program commencing only two days from now for local kite enthusiasts from eight years old upwards at TAM on Saturday, March 29 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. featuring Seattle kite master Greg Kono, of Kono Design.
The program looks to be an ideal way fans of The Kite Runner - book or film, could celebrate a weekend morning learning how to create and build their own eye-catching bird kit. For adults, it's a great theme date! For parents or grandparents of children who are looking to an opportunity to share some stories of their youth as well as an activity with a younger member of the family, this might be the place where a lifelong bond is made!
All this highly specialized and personalized instruction is available for the price of $35.00 for members, $45.o0 for non-members. All supplies are provided. Fees include admission for one child and their adult companion. For those 16 years of age and older, it may be a welcome note that the accompanying adult is not required. To view a portfolio of some of the beautiful and high-flying kites Kono has created click here.
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3 comments:
I cried my way through the book. I saw the dvd was available and decided that I could not afford the heart break right now... great writing, great story, I am glad I lived with it...
Joseph McG
How I love to watch kites soar. I was lucky enough to watch a professional team, out at Ocean Shores, a few years back. My friend (sister of one of the team) and I laid ourselves back on a sand dune and watched them, like a school of fishes in the sky.
Although only peripherally about kite flying, Kite Runner demonstrates, among its many lessons, that flying kites transcends cultures. For those interested in watching kite flying (although little running and no glass for cutting other’s strings!), I can highly recommend the Fighter Kite competition in June at Long Beachand the International Kite Festival in August.
Joseph, having read the book, I understand your tears for the characters’ search for redemption and forgiveness. The Sophomore class at Gig Harbor High School read it this winter and it was the source of weighty discussions.
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