Book Review : The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

“For you a thousand times over!”

Those are the magic words that moved me to tears when reading The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini. Actually, The Kite Runner is the first English novel that I read, not taking into account the compulsory texts for English lessons during school days. I read most of this book while in the train, on my way to work and back. Reading The Kite Runner in that situation did not allow me to fully concentrate on it. Nevertheless, I feel like crying when I reached the last words of the novel, although I was fully aware that I was in a train packed with people. Those last words, repeated in the book at the right time, trigger the reader’s emotion.

Hassan first said those words to Amir when he helped Amir to run for his kite in a kite-fighting tournament in their hometown in Kabul. Hassan and Amir are the main characters in this novel and the story evolves around them. When Amir won the tournament, he was very proud to be able to prove to his Baba (father) that he is a capable person. That was the finest moment for Amir. He had won his Baba’s heart. He had melt down the ice barricade that separated him and his Baba for years since he was born. Ironically, that moment was also the worst moment of his relationship with Hassan, his servant, his long-life friend and his brother. Amir did not stand up and defend Hassan when he was sexually abuse by a bully who was also competing in the tournament. Later, Amir regretted himself and he carried the guilt to adulthood.

“There is a way to be good again”, the words of advice from Rahim Khan, a close friend of Amir’s Baba, brought Amir back to Afghanistan, to the fond memories of his Baba, Hassan, Ali and Rahim Khan. Amir was willing to leave his wife and a stable writing career in America for a while to go back to his home country. The words of Rahim Khan mould him to become the new Amir, leaving the old one who was always running from problems cowardly and let other people handle them. It was Hassan who had always done the problem-solving job for him. It was always Hassan, the boy whom Amir has betrayed, despite Hassan’s loyalty and love for him.

Amir’s departure from America back to Afghanistan created another drama in his life. He did it for the the sake of Hassan and redemption. When you pay for the price of redemption, the world will always give it back to you with a more worthy price. Amir finally received the price, when he could fly the kite again and win many people’s hearts. This time without betraying anyone.

The Kite Runner is available in Taylor's Libraries. The call number is F HOS.

About the Author
Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965. He earned his MD in 1993 from University of California. His debut novel, The Kite Runner, was published in 2003. It is an international bestseller, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide. Khaled Hosseini is a Goodwill Envoy for the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Reviewed by Haizir Othman, Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong Library III,
Leisure Commerce Square.

Self check available now in three campuses

Self check machines are now available in Main Campus Library, Leisure Commerce Square Library and Sri Hartamas Library. Staff and students are welcome to use them, especially when there is a long queue at the circulation counter.

The machine is easy to use with instructions displayed on the screen. Users need to scan their ID before proceeding to check out or borrow books. At the end of the transactions, please print receipt and keep as reference for the due dates. Users can also check their library account and renew books using these machines. Hopefully, this new facility will enhance the library service.

A Very Warm Welcome to Pazmi and Siti Hafizah

We are pleased to welcome two new staff to the library. They are Md Pazmi Paijan and Siti Hafizah Manap. Both of them reported for duty on February 2, 2009.

Pazmi from Pulau Indah, is positioned as Library Assistant at the Main Campus library, Subang Jaya. Before joining Taylor’s, Pazmi was working as a Customer Relation Assistant and prior to that, he was a cashier clerk. Pazmi has a certificate in Information Technology.

Siti Hafizah Manap, a librarian, graduated from UiTM in 1992. She was previously attached with ASTRO Media Library & Information Services from July 1997 to January 2009 and The British Council Library as Assistant Librarian from October 1992 to June 1996. Her specializations are archiving of audio-visual materials and reference work. Siti Hafizah is placed at Subang Square library.

Farewell to Khirudin

Khirudin, our colleague bid us goodbye on January 30th, 2009. Khirudin was a Library Assistant at Main Campus Library, Subang Jaya. He joined us in February 2007. Khirudin has been a very helpful colleague to everyone at the library and never failed to cheer us up.

We miss him and wish him all the best in his future position at Berjaya School of Hospitality and Tourism library.

Khirudin receiving a farewell gift from Ms Susan Zachariah,

the Deputy Library Manager.

Khirudin with Main Campus Library staff.

A Very Warm Welcome to Mazura

The latest addition to Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong library is librarian, Mazura Samsuddin. She joined us on January 5th, 2009. Mazura, who hails from Perak, graduated from UiTM Shah Alam with a BSc in Information Studies (Information Systems Management) in 2003. Previously, she worked as Design Librarian for two years at an interior design company. She also has experienced in customer service while working in Berjaya Times Square. We welcome Mazura and hope that she will enjoy working with the team. Currently, Mazura is positioned at Sri Hartamas Library.

Book Review : Ideas That Changed the World by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto

Ideas That Changed the World
By Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
Publisher: Doring Kindersley, 400 pages
ISBN 0751344141
Call Number : 909 FER

Whenever I come to a blank in a form requesting my religion, I am tempted to write Deism. Unfortunately most people will not understand what it means. I did not know the word existed until I came across it in this book by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto (FFA). Well, Deism is the “belief in God not dependent on organized religion”. It originated back in 18th century Europe when Empiricism - the idea that “reality is observable and verifiable by sense-perception” - was emerging as a major trend and Sir Isaac Newton had just made key discoveries in the laws of mechanics. This filled people with confidence that the universe was as predictable as a clock and all knowledge was within grasp. Things did not turn out as expected, but the prevailing rationale was that if man could understand God through science and mathematics, why bother with religion?

FFA is Professor of Global Environmental History at Queen Mary, University of London. His book is basically an introduction to some of the thoughts and ideas that had guided our actions throughout history. Its pages are packed with information and thought-provoking illustrations. There are 7 sections covering ideas from 30,000 BC to the present 21st century. The topics explained include existentialism, pragmatism, godless humanism, scientific racism, anarchism, utilitarianism, romanticism, German, British, Chinese and Japanese superiority, chivalry, universal morality and regulating incest.

Why are ideas important? Well, they exert a tremendous influence on human behaviour as history has witnessed. The idea, for instance, that we could assume the power of our enemies by eating their flesh, encouraged cannibalism. The idea that strife is natural and conflicts are creative resulted in highly competitive yet cheerless societies - like a certain neighbouring state of ours. Darwin’s ideas about natural selection were used by some to justify racism and the extermination of “inferior” races like the Jews. The idea of a land promised by God to the Israelites became an excuse for the barbaric treatment of the Palestinians. Ideas offer possibilities on how things can be improved and yet produce frustration when hindered by other conflicting ideas. Ideas can destabilize when differing schools of thought clash.

The following is a sampling of the gems contained in this remarkably compact collection.

The Idea of Microscopic Life-forms

Many people held the idea (and many still do) that if life had not originated with God, it must have arisen from spontaneous generation. That is until Lorenzo Spallanzani proved that germs killed by heating could not re-appear in a sealed environment. The entire food industry was transformed by this discovery. So could life have appeared on earth – a closed system - without divine intervention?

The Idea of American Exceptionalism

Americans have always believed that their country is unique and blessed by God. The national psyche is exemplified by two beloved fictional characters. First, every American hero has to be an outsider like the Lone Ranger and has “got to do what a man has got to do”, including partaking in a little violence now and then. Second, Americans are inherently good-natured like Donald Duck and, despite constantly getting into all manner of trouble, are ultimately seeking the best for all concerned! FFA: “The same sort of self-righteousness and obedience to impulse makes American policy-makers bomb people from time to time – but always with good intentions.”

The Idea of a Weapon to End War

Did you know that Alfred Nobel, the guy who created those noble Nobel prizes, made his fortune from explosives and arms trafficking? His original intention was to promote the development of super-weapons. He reasoned that the only way to stop wars was to create weapons so terrible that no one would dare to start a fight! Alfred was apparently consumed by guilt after accidentally blowing up his own brother in an experiment!

The Idea of Unpredictability

Scientists have been trying for centuries to unveil the secrets of the Universe. They succeeded spectacularly in some ways, failed miserably in other ways. A good example of the latter is meteorology. No matter how much statistical data computers crunch, tomorrow’s weather cannot be predicted with certainty. The gulf between cause and effect appears to be so great as to be insurmountable. Chaos theory had a humbling effect. FFA: “The exposure of chaos looks like another nail in the coffin of “scientism” – yet more evidence that nature really is uncontrollable by human minds … Science seems to be self-undermined, and the faster its progress, the more questions emerge about its own competence. And the less faith most people have in it.”

This is a very well-written book and one that I recommend to all armchair philosophers.

Reviewed By : Richard Ooi, Projects and Facilities Management

A Very Warm Welcome to Sumathi

The library would like to give a very warm greeting to our latest member, Sumathi Sinnasamy. She joined us as Senior Library Assistant at Tan Sri Loy Hean Heong Library, Sri Hartamas on 15th December 2008. At the moment, Sumathi is attending training at Main Campus Library, Subang Jaya.

Sumathi states, “I would like to thank Ms. Sossamma George and Mr. Jaspal for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team. I will apply my current skill, knowledge and creativity to gain more experience in this new environment. I hope to learn more skills here and obtain valuable experience”.

We trust Sumathi will enjoy working with us and contribute to the growth of the library.