The Kite Runner

By Khaled Hosseini

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Average Rating: (See all 8 reviews) Format: Paperback, 336 pages, New edition Edition Published In: United Kingdom, 7 June 2004 Condition: New 24 hour shipping (1 available) Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting tournament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. 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. Reviews "'Hosseini's ability to reach the core of experiences of love and loss places him in the company of such fine chroniclers of the new America as Chang-rae Lee. The Kite Runner is a first novel of unusual generosity, honesty and compassion' Independent; 'It is Hassan's silent, sacrificial love that will bring the lump to your throat' Daily Mail; 'A devastating, masterful and painfully honest story... it is a novel of great hidden intricacy and wisdom, like a timeless Eastern tale. It speaks the most harrowing truth about the power of evil' Daily Telegraph; 'Hosseini is a truly gifted teller of tales... he's not afraid to pull every string in your heart to make it sing' The Times Play Magazine" About the Author Khaled Hosseini was born in Afghanistan and his family received political asylum in the USA in 1980. He is a doctor and lives in California. The Kite Runner is his first novel. Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC ISBN: 0747566534 EAN: 9780747566533 Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 centimetres (0.27 kg)

Fantastic read. I couldn't put it down! I cried heaps reading this book. Khaled is a wonderful writer. definitely recommend this book.

The Kite Runner is a haunting tale of a boy's journey through the passage of time in tumultuous Afghanistan. The book exudes wisdom and insight, while being refreshingly honest. The author launches the reader into a world of unfamiliar territory with great guile and tenacity, creating characters which are harkingly realistic, yet still unofficious. Unspoken meaning seeps with astute acumen from every page. The tenacity of the tale will captivate even the most discerning reader.

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule.

I have just read this book for my book club, and what an excellent read it was! I found this book difficult to put down, the story was so engaging. A story of a betrayed friendship, and a life long search for redemption. Would recommend highly.

i quite enjoyed this book, i found the storyline interesting and compelling, and at the same time happy and enjoyable. i do not like to go into much detail, as it can spoil it for others who havnt read the book, but i can safely say that most people who read it will instantly fall in love with it, and it will stay in their minds as one of the best books of our time :)

I loved this book, a tale of two sons of a wealthy businessman in pre taliban Afghanistan, one he has claimed who fails his expectations at every turn, and one whom is passed off as the son of his sterile servant, but whom he wishes he could take pride in. A story filled with heart wrenching turns and soul enriching observations of human natue, the kite Runner is a beautiful story of one man's journey to redemption.

What an amazing paradox - two children of one parent with very diferent life paths. The caste system is demonstrated here, and with a roller coaster ride of emotions propells the reader inot the lives of the characters. Great read

Pretty good read, was recommended by friends, and sat down over an afternoon and night to go through it, deals with some pretty rough emotions, wanting a fathers love/devotion, friendships between classes, and secrets and lies, as well as the 'beautiful' portrayal of 1970's Afghanistan at war and the hardhsips/atrocities associated with it. Be prepared for some squeamish scenes that are pretty brutal, but hit the issues home. Great read, well worth the time.