The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

Apr 2004 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The #1 New York Times bestselling novel beloved by millions of readers the world over.

“A vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people [of Afghanistan] have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence—forces that continue to threaten them even today." –New York Times Book Review
 
The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his father’s servant, caught in the tragic sweep of history, The Kite Runner transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial moment of change and destruction. A powerful story of friendship, it is also about the power of reading, the price of betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love, their sacrifices, their lies.
 
Since its publication in 2003 Kite Runner has become a beloved, one-of-a-kind classic of contemporary literature, touching millions of readers, and launching the career of one of America's most treasured writers.

Ratings and reviews

The best book I have ever read. I'm going to be honest, the idea of reading this book didn't excite me all that much. As an assignment for my AP English class, I expected it to be another boring high school book, of which I have read many, only to be quickly forgotten. But after just a few chapters, this book had sucked me in, hooked me pretty deep, and I suddenly felt connected to the people in the story. I would literally have to force myself to take a break, or I probably would have read the whole thing in one night. One word of caution, though: this book is very intense and graphic at times. I feel that it adds to the realism and makes the book that much more haunting, but I'm just throwing it out there for anyone who has trouble with such intense moments. Definitely not a book for children. But again, I have never been so moved by a book. By far my favorite of all time. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a movie, even, that has matched the power of this book. Definitely a worthy read.

This taste of Afghan culture is a whirlwind peak into the very personal and heavily scrutinized life of a young boy who came of age doubting his self worth while growing up with many advantages. The author takes you alongside young Amir to experience through his eyes how every decision made can create a path that is maddeningly difficult from which to part. It serves as a blueprint of what not to do and say, but also of how to survive after having done so anyway. A wonderful read.

I hope that every American eventually reads this book. I read it after my daughter. It was a required read in her senior year lit class. I cry every time I read it. All I can say is that I never will want the people that the awful characters in this book represent to live beside me and my family. even though I may be selfish. I would rather they all go back just in case.

About the author

Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to the United States in 1980. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed. He is A U.S. Goodwill Envoy to the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.