The Kite Runner: Brixton Sessions

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This month we take a break from non-fiction to engage in a psychological discussion analysing the central characters in Kite Runner: an award winning book drawing on the themes of courage, identity, culture and redemption.

Key questions we ask include:

• What motivates the characters to act in the sometimes selfish, evil, and courageous ways they do?

• Can psychological theories help us to form a better understanding of the characters?

• What cultural insights on Afghanistan and Islam are offered, and what relevance does the story have to reflecting on our experiences of living in London?

Kite Runner

In Khaled Hosseini's deeply moving fiction debut set in Afghanistan we hear the story of twelve-year-old Amir's who is desperate to win the approval of his father by winning the local kite-fighting tournament. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him - for he always helps Amir - but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir still feels jealous of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

It's a gripping story in which we learn of something unspeakable that happened between the two boys that shape their two lives forever.

Selected Reviews

'Told with simplicity and poise, it is a novel of great hidden intricacy and wisdom like a timeless Eastern tale' -- Daily Telegraph

'My top fiction book of the year ... marvellous' -- Joanna Trollope, Books of the Year, The Observer

The Session

The Brixton Session takes place on the last sunday of every month. It kicks off at 2pm and lasts approximately 2 hours. An agenda with key questions arising from the text will be used to frame the discussion. It's a creative session where everyone is encouraged to contribute and share.

For those that fancy talking on the conversation will spill over to Brixton Ritzy's bar.

No Book?

Brixton Library supply all books on our reading list. Alternatively you can get it on Amazon. Before going to the library, please confirm with the librarians that they have copies and they know where they have been set aside for us. Any issues contact me.

Travel

The library is in the heart of Brixton, with numerous travel options including tube, train and bus. If driving you should have little trouble finding free parking nearby.

Note the google map for Brixton Library on our meetup page shows the wrong location and refuses to change. If you put the Library's postcode (SW2 1JQ) in for your own mapping service it should be fine.

Waiting List

If there are no more spaces do join the waiting list. Those down to attend may have to change their plans