The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel was a terrific read. It was the kind of work that stuns you and stays with you long after you've read it. The novel opens by introducing us to two boys who are friends. Amir, the main character, is from a wealthy family; and Hassan, who along with his father, is a servant of Amir's family. The book is set in Afghanistan, before the Russian invasion and takeover by the Taliban. The author introduces us to a part of the culture that, no doubt, many westerners such as myself did not know about: competitive Kite flying.

My favorite part of this novel is the way the author explores how the power differential between the two boys plays out in their everyday lives and in their relationship with each other. The story he tells is both painful and provocative. It left me asking several questions: What would I do if I were Amir? Why was Hassan was so benevolent? Why are poor/powerless people admired for their benevolence instead of demanding justice?

My rating for this book is 5 out of 5 stars. The prose was beautiful -- not as many similes and metaphors as other works that I like, but the author's powers of description are top rate. I could feel the cuts in my hand caused by the force of the wind pulling on the kite; the anxiety of a child who wants the validation of a parent; and the pain of a servant whose loyalty is betrayed by his master.


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