A story of fathers and sons, friendship and betrayal, and the casualties of fate 1970s Afghanistan: Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his loyal friend Hassan promises to help him. But neither of the boys can foresee what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is 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 an Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.
The Kite Runner
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Amazon Review
The Kite Runner of Khaled Hosseini's deeply moving fiction debut is an illiterate Afghan boy with an uncanny instinct for predicting exactly where a downed kite will land. Growing up in the city of Kabul in the early 1970s, Hassan was narrator Amir's closest friend even though the loyal 11-year-old with "a face like a Chinese doll" was the son of Amir's father's servant and a member of Afghanistan's despised Hazara minority. But in 1975, on the day of Kabul's annual kite-fighting tournament, something unspeakable happened between the two boys.
Narrated by Amir, a 40-year-old novelist living in California, The Kite Runner tells the gripping story of a boyhood friendship destroyed by jealousy, fear, and the kind of ruthless evil that transcends mere politics. Running parallel to this personal narrative of loss and redemption is the story of modern Afghanistan and of Amir's equally guilt-ridden relationship with the war-torn city of his birth. The first Afghan novel to be written in English, The Kite Runner begins in the final days of King Zahir Shah's 40-year reign and traces the country's fall from a secluded oasis to a tank-strewn battlefield controlled by the Russians and then the trigger-happy Taliban. When Amir returns to Kabul to rescue Hassan's orphaned child, the personal and the political get tangled together in a plot that is as suspenseful as it is taut with feeling.
The son of an Afghan diplomat whose family received political asylum in the United States in 1980, Hosseini combines the unflinching realism of a war correspondent with the satisfying emotional pull of master storytellers such as Rohinton Mistry. Like the kite that is its central image, the story line of this mesmerizing first novel occasionally dips and seems almost to dive to the ground. But Hosseini ultimately keeps everything airborne until his heartrending conclusion in an American picnic park. --Lisa Alward, Amazon.ca --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Marvellous' Joanna Trollope 'Powerful and involving' Time Out 'The most exquisitely told story of the sad and turbulent recent history of Afghanistan' Penny Smith 'It's remarkable. It's like a condensed history of Afghanistan, mixed with a Shakespearean tale of friendship and love ... brilliant' Ben Fogle, Daily Express
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
173 of 176 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
At Times Heart-Warming, At Times Heart-Wrenching, But Always Riveting!,
5 Jun 2008
By bobbewig
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
When it was suggested that I read The Kite Runner, I put off doing so for a long time because I am primarily a "thriller/suspense/mystery" type-of-guy. That was a mistake that I'm glad I eventually corrected. The Kite Runner is an astonishing, powerful book that had me riveted from the first to the last page. It is a story of fierce cruelty and yet redeeming love, as well as of an intimate account of family and friendship. Both transform the life of Amir, the main character, who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the Afghani monarchy; just before Afghanistan's revolution and its invasion by Russian troops. Hosseini is a masterful writer whose prose and narrative style ooze emotion. If you have any hesitancy about reading this book, as I did, put your doubts aside and rush out to get yourself a copy of The Kite Runner. You'll be very glad you did. It is not only a book that will keep you from doing anything else but turning the pages, it is a book that will stay in your head and heart for years to come. It is that good!
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Ian
Format:Paperback
A wonderful book which pulls all the emotional strings, making you think that it is an autobiography. Maybe a touch too contrived towards the end but that is a tiny critiscism of one of the best books I have read in a long time. I hope they don't try and make a film of it, the characters should stay alive in the brilliant word pictures.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By Sancho
Format:Paperback
I have been reading novels for decades, but in all those years of reading, THE KITE RUNNER is possibly the best story I have read that has a non-western setting. An Afghan friend recommended this book to me, and of course I was skeptical at first. I never expected it to be such a powerful, deep moving, well-written and touching story that happened to be set in Afghanistan.
Set in Afghanistan, in Kabul in the 1970's, the Kite Runner moves to the U.S.A and back. It includes fascinating characters like Amir who lived a privileged life as the son of an affluent man, and Hassan the son of a poor servant who perks for Amir's privileged life. The two become good friends, a friendship which is tested when Hassan is raped, a scene witnessed by Amir who made no effort to come to his friend's rescue. Yet Amir is haunted by that moment of cowardice even as he leaves for the USA.
Even though it is a fiction, this haunting story with spectacular, yet uncomfortable scenes creates in the reader a sense of reality that is difficult not to believe. I easily felt like I was reading the real life story of a young boy, who grows up still haunted by his past cowardice. The characters are real and alive, the setting in Afghanistan and America is superb, the plot is outstanding and the pace of the novel is fast and captivating.. All in all, this emotionally gripping story provides an insight and understanding of the human tragedy in Afghanistan. The author successfully touched on human emotions, stirring guilt, sadness, anger, and happiness throughout the book.Reminds me of DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, BOOKSELLER OF KABUL, UNION MOUJIK, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY, which are all titles with unique settings and gripping stories and characters
Set in Afghanistan, in Kabul in the 1970's, the Kite Runner moves to the U.S.A and back. It includes fascinating characters like Amir who lived a privileged life as the son of an affluent man, and Hassan the son of a poor servant who perks for Amir's privileged life. The two become good friends, a friendship which is tested when Hassan is raped, a scene witnessed by Amir who made no effort to come to his friend's rescue. Yet Amir is haunted by that moment of cowardice even as he leaves for the USA.
Even though it is a fiction, this haunting story with spectacular, yet uncomfortable scenes creates in the reader a sense of reality that is difficult not to believe. I easily felt like I was reading the real life story of a young boy, who grows up still haunted by his past cowardice. The characters are real and alive, the setting in Afghanistan and America is superb, the plot is outstanding and the pace of the novel is fast and captivating.. All in all, this emotionally gripping story provides an insight and understanding of the human tragedy in Afghanistan. The author successfully touched on human emotions, stirring guilt, sadness, anger, and happiness throughout the book.Reminds me of DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, BOOKSELLER OF KABUL, UNION MOUJIK, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY, which are all titles with unique settings and gripping stories and characters
69 of 76 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'The Kite Runner tells the story of boyhood betrayal, sacrifice and ultimate redemption set mainly in Afghanistan and the US. The main character, Amir grows up in a somewhat affluent area of Kabul with his father (Baba) and their servants Ali and Hassan. Amir and Hassan are boyhood companions who could have been friends but for their ethnic differences and, more importantly, Baba's seeming preference for Hassan. The early parts of the book mainly consider the relationships between these four characters amid the changing face of Afghanistan as revolutionary war tears the country apart.
Following the betrayal, Amir engineers the departure of Ali and Hassan and sometime later he and his father flee to the US in search of a better life. Amir grows up, enters a loving but childless marriage and following the death of his father, becomes a successful author before receiving the call to return to Afghanistan, right his wrongs and learn the truth about...(well that would spoil the story).
This is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of pre-revolutionary Afghanistan, its descent into chaos and terror, the coming (and going) of the Russians and the rise of the Taliban. In fact this message is so powerful it is not always clear if Amir's story is used as a vehicle to highlight the plight of Afghanistan or the other way round. Does this matter? Maybe not, by the end of the book you feel a stronger affinity for Afghanistan than Amir.
Despite the quality of the writing, the plot itself reveals a number of weaknesses where events seem a little too contrived - a little too neat, and the section set in the US could have benefited from severe editing.... Read more ›
Following the betrayal, Amir engineers the departure of Ali and Hassan and sometime later he and his father flee to the US in search of a better life. Amir grows up, enters a loving but childless marriage and following the death of his father, becomes a successful author before receiving the call to return to Afghanistan, right his wrongs and learn the truth about...(well that would spoil the story).
This is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of pre-revolutionary Afghanistan, its descent into chaos and terror, the coming (and going) of the Russians and the rise of the Taliban. In fact this message is so powerful it is not always clear if Amir's story is used as a vehicle to highlight the plight of Afghanistan or the other way round. Does this matter? Maybe not, by the end of the book you feel a stronger affinity for Afghanistan than Amir.
Despite the quality of the writing, the plot itself reveals a number of weaknesses where events seem a little too contrived - a little too neat, and the section set in the US could have benefited from severe editing.... Read more ›
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By PD Miller
Format:Paperback
Other reviewers have discussed the plot, so there is no need for me to do likewise. All I can say is that this is one of the most beautiful and deeply moving works that I have read in a very long time.
Sometimes a book can move us, but by the following week we have more or less forgotten it. This one had me in tears, and it will stay with me for ever.
Khaled Hosseini - well done. And thank you.
Sometimes a book can move us, but by the following week we have more or less forgotten it. This one had me in tears, and it will stay with me for ever.
Khaled Hosseini - well done. And thank you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great writing, moving story
If you enjoy great writing and a family story you will probably enjoy this book. I finished the book in less than a week - it was a gripping read based on the lives of two boys... Read more
Published 1 hour ago by Angela Gemmell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very moving
I bought this after seeing a lot of publicity and I had no real idea what it was about. Traumatic in places and shocking to hear some things that happened (are still happening... Read more
Published 1 day ago by S. Capes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Couldn't put it down
Best book I've read in years. A gripping and eye opening look at Afghanistan culture and history. Beautifully touching story. Characters really came to life. Read more
Published 2 days ago by ashley low
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kite runner
Very good book. Thought provoking and eye opening. Highly recommended. Am going to read authors other books. Prompt service and delivery as usual. Thanks
Published 3 days ago by R A FIELD
5.0 out of 5 stars
thank you again for mirroring the plight of afghan people
A story that will be held in my heart forever. Educational and heart rending an essential read for all.Thank you Khaled Hosseini.
Published 4 days ago by Penelope Thomas
2.0 out of 5 stars
Quite hard to get into.
A bit boring read up to chapter 3 and still not griping me will try to stick with it until chapter five if not i will delete it.
Published 7 days ago by scuse
5.0 out of 5 stars
great story
what a fantastic book couldn't put it down a very gripping story of love and trust wouldhighly recommend this to anyone
Published 7 days ago by sylvia perkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alone of the best
I have to say this was a superb book, couldn't put it down have read his two books and will be getting his third pretty soon. Khalid Hosseini is a fantastic writer.
Published 8 days ago by June Noble
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kite Flyer book at Nottingham Playhouse
I had recently seen a theatrical adaptation of the book at Nottingham Playhouse. Often an adaptation is not as good as the original book. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Rex
5.0 out of 5 stars
Had me gripped
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I wasn't disappointed. I was gripped from the very beginning. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Deb
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