The Kite Runner

By Khaled Hosseini

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Average Rating: (See all 13 reviews) Format: Paperback, 400 pages Published In: United States, January 2003 Quantity Available: 9 24 hour shipping "I sat on a bench near a willow tree and watched a pair of kites soaring in the sky. I thought about something Rahim Khan said just before he hung up, almost as an afterthought, 'There is a way to be good again.'" Now in paperback, one of the year's international literary sensations -- a shattering story of betrayal and redemption set in war-torn Afghanistan. Amir and Hassan are childhood friends in the alleys and orchards of Kabul in the sunny days before the invasion of the Soviet army and Afghanistan's decent into fanaticism. Both motherless, they grow up as close as brothers, but their fates, they know, are to be different. Amir's father is a wealthy merchant; Hassan's father is his manservant. Amir belongs to the ruling caste of Pashtuns, Hassan to the despised Hazaras. This fragile idyll is broken by the mounting ethnic, religious, and political tensions that begin to tear Afghanistan apart. An unspeakable assault on Hassan by a gang of local boys tears the friends apart; Amir has witnessed his friend's torment, but is too afraid to intercede. Plunged into self-loathing, Amir conspires to have Hassan and his father turned out of the household. When the Soviets invade Afghanistan, Amir and his father flee to San Francisco, leaving Hassan and his father to a pitiless fate. Only years later will Amir have an opportunity to redeem himself by returning to Afghanistan to begin to repay the debt long owed to the man who should have been his brother. Compelling, heartrending, and etched with details of a history never before told in fiction, The Kite Runner is a story of the ways in which we're damned by our moral failures, and of the extravagant cost of redemption. Publisher: Riverhead Books ISBN: 1594480001 EAN: 9781594480003 Dimensions: 20.80 x 12.85 x 2.57 centimetres (0.32 kg)

I started this book yesterday and found it very hard to put down, had to leave at home to come to work

This book is amazing. Loved everything about it. My favourite thing about this book is how the writer describes the characters emotions and surrounding. The mix so well together at that very moment. Had a real pleasure reading this book even if there were ups and downs moments.

Great book - really enjoyed his writing style.
Have already passed it on for my brother to read.

Absolutely fabulous book. I think I will have to read his other novels now.

at times chilling and shocking but at the same time the story heads forward in a compelling fashion - An insite into another culture well worth the read

This is a beautiful book that manages to cross cultural barriers and touch the lives of people from all walks of life. It is a stunningly told story that cleverly weaves the story so that it is at once heart breaking, endearing and uplifting. It provides a beautiful sense of catharsis for the reader. It is impossible to put it down. Definately a must read.

This is a wonderful book!! It is easy to read and difficult to put down.
Khaled Hosseini paints a vivid picture of a rich culture so vastly different to our own. He delivers an insight into life in Afghanistan that is so important in light of current events. Given the propaganda that is so often bandied about this book is a timely reminder that we really have no idea about what it is to truly suffer under an oppressive regime. I would definitely recommend Kite Runner as an easy read; however be aware that it does cover some pretty graphic and disturbing events.

Beautifully written this book gives a wonderful portrayal of Afghanistan. I loved the descriptions of the kite-running competitions.
The plot lines are a bit contrived but even so, this is an extremely good first novel.

A wonderful read - I really couldn't put it down. Beautifully told, very real characters, and the contrasts between rich and poor, America and Afghanistan made for a great story of human relationships

This is the most moving book I have read since Captain Corelli's Mandolin - though the following one, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is even better.
It gives an insight we all need into Afghan culture, but the most amazing aspect is that despite being an Afghan this fellow can write clear and gripping English - on a level with Bill Bryson!