The Kite Runner

Must read for everyone!

Received: Library
Recommended to Anagha by: School Librarian
Recommended for: Every Single Person Should Read This.
Read count: 2

"For you, a thousand times over." And with that, I was bawling.

I am not worthy to 'review' this book. The Kite Runner is beyond reviews. It's heartbreaking and life-changing and simply the best book I've ever read. And I am NOT exaggerating.

I do want to talk about the protagonist, Amir. I bow to the author, because this is a character who some of us might sometimes dislike, but we'd be too ashamed to admit that it brings out the coward in all of us - we consider ourselves 'good', we wish to help, to speak up, but we fail to do anything about it, our fear of punishment stops us. Amir is the model of human nature. What would you have done in the face of Assef and his gang? Be honest with yourself.

But isn't this what The Kite Runner is all about? Shame, guilt, and ultimately, redemption?

If you have not read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, you are missing out. Really and truly. Put down that YA or that romance or that thriller. Read this instead.

Reposted from my blog - http://book-spark.blogspot.com/

The Kite Runner, a fiction novel by Khaled Hosseini, describes the brotherly love between a wealthy Pushtun boy, Amir, and his Hazara servant, Hassan, during the cruel war between Afghanistan and Russia. Amir and Hassan grow up together just like true brothers. The racial barrier between Pushtuns, who are a superior race, and Hazaras, who are commonly viewed as inferior slaves, does not hinder Amir and Hassan from forming a strong brother bond. Their relationship is beyond one of a master and a servant; beyond two companions. They are two souls bond tightly by love, friendship, and loyalty. However, just like the brief calmness before a storm, a betrayal in a dark alley unwinds the once-unbreakable bond between Amir and Hassan. Their relationship is further shattered by more sacrifices, tears, and lies.

The main character of the book, Amir, is believable because he is well-rounded, showing both amicability and cowardice in his relationship with Hassan. Most Pushtun masters aren't close to their Hazara servants and some treat them poorly. However, Amir, unlike most of the other boys who humiliates the Hazaras, treats Hassan well and develops a strong companionship with Hassan. Despite his friendliness towards Hassan, however, Amir also shows cowardice because he never stands up for Hassan nor gives him help when Hassan faces challenges. On the other hand, Hassan is a flat character, showing only two traits throughout the book---consideration and loyalty. Hassan always helps and takes good care of Amir. He also stays obedient to his master despite any conditions. Hassan knows that Amir have betrayed him, not only once, but twice, yet he still treats Amir well and stays loyal to his beloved master.

I think this book is really interesting, or you can say it is close to being overwhelming, because you can never predict what will happen next. Reading The Kite Runner is like sailing a yacht in a heavy mist: you can never see through the misty thickness yet your boat is moving at a high-speed. So before you realized, you bump into “reefs”, or astonishing events which the readers will never expect. These “reef” events always give a strong impression about the book’s plot. They also provide strong motivation for me to keep turning those pages.

I think Hosseini writes in a simple language, but actually each word is precisely chosen and has a deeper meaning to it. Overall, I think this is a great, thrilling but nonetheless touching book to read. I would rate The Kite Runner five stars and recommend it to people of any age who are ready to start a journey to find love and hope in world of betrayal, lies, and blood.

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Ali and Hassan have always been the servants of Amir's family. Their relationship goes far beyond that, though, as Ali is an old friend of Amir's father and Hassan himself is Amir's friend- they do everything together. Though when company comes Amir ignores Hassan, seemingly ashamed that he calls this harelipped boy his friend, Hassan always fiercely defends the shy Amir.

My high school's book club read A Thousand Splendid Suns (which is a very good book) at the beginning of the year, but, despite the recommendations of students and teachers alike, I have only just finished reading The Kite Runner. As much I loved Mariam in A Thousand Splendid Suns, I have to say that this is the better book. The ending in particular is amazing, and the book closes neatly in on itself.

I am not sure I trust myself to say what age this book is best read at- I am leaning toward fifteen or so.

Reader reviewed by M. Diamond

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini starts out in Afghanistan following the childhood of a young boy named Amir. He had always grown up in the same household as their servants son, Hassan, who he spent a lot of time with. Hassan was forever loyal to him and loved him like a brother, but Amir was never able to hold an equal amount of loyalty towards Hassan. Amirs failures in his relationships with not only Hassan, but his father as well, led him to the day he watched Hassan walk out of his house. Those selfish decisions changed him forever. He had to go through life with the weight of guilt and regret on his shoulders. His life changed even more when he moved to America. He tried to be a new person and move on from the horrible things he had done. That is, until he got a phone call that brought him back to Afghanistan. There, he found out the truth he hadnt known about Hassan and his father. It wasnt an easy stay in the war-filled country and he had trouble forgiving himself as he tried to be good again.


I enjoyed this book a lot. Its very different from the books I have read, and I probably wouldnt have picked it out myself. But I surprisingly found the heart-tugging story about loyalty and friendship extremely interesting and hard to put down. Hosseini did a great job with the description of the story and keeping the reader wanting to know what would happen next. I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13 and hopefully you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Reader reviewed by Megan

The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, tells the story of a boy named Amir from Kabul, Afghanistan. The writer takes you through the childhood of Amir, trying to win the affections of his father, and playing with his family's servant's son, Hassan. As the characters get older, Amir discovers a talent and passion for writing. When he reads his stories to his friend Hassan, he enjoys them. However, Amir soon learns that Hassan will not stand up for himself as he witnesses neighborhood children raping Hassan. Amir then does everything in his power to get rid of Hassan and his father because of the guilt he feels for not standing up for his friend, but when his father refuses to do so, he takes drastic measures and frames Hassan for stealing from him. It tears Amir's father up when he finds out that Hassan and his father are leaving. A while later, war rages Afghanistan and Amir and his father travel to the United States. While living in the United States, Amir's father is diagnosed with cancer. Just a few months before his father dies, Amir marries. He publishes a few works of fiction. One day he receives a call from one of his father's friends, asking him to brave the turmoil in Afghanistan and come see him before he dies. Granting his wish, Amir travels and sees his father's friend. Once there, he finds out that his childhood friend Hassan and Hassan's wife was killed, and his son needs saving. Amir goes to find Hassan's son, and in the process, finds out that Hassan was not only his family's servant's son, but was also his illegitimate brother. This novel brought readers a down to earth visual of another culture's life, while also keeping the story interesting enough for the reader to stay engrossed in the story.

Reader reviewed by Taylor Athanasiou

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Regrets And A Shot At Redemption.

The Kite Runner, an amazingly written book, is one of the best books Ive ever read. All about a young boy living in Kabul, Afghanistan, it shows only the truth about his life and the life Afghanistan held before the war began. Amir, the main character, is a wealthy child with two servants, Ali and Hassan, father and son. Amirs mother is dead, and he lives with his father. Amir goes through crisis after crisis, dealing with his feelings of friendship, disgust, confusion, and hatred toward his servant, Hassan, who is Amirs age. The details of the book are very slowly revealed to the reader. It was a fantastic way to start off the book though; each line was more intriguing than the last. The writing to me was very alive, detailed, and carefully thought out. The book tells nothing but the truth of human nature and life in general. The truth of wealth and poverty, friendship, betrayal, regret, and last calls for redemption are all written into this novel. Some parts were predictable; others mislead you to come to find in the end a twisted and well-hidden secret. Again, this book is simply pure and truthful. I wouldve liked to have read more detail in appearance of the main character. There were random stories and comments the author made that were kind of annoying, and he used the some of the same expressions too much. I liked the interactions the author wrote though; they seemed very real and detailed. There are some key moments of the story that are inappropriate, like a rape, some fights and shootings. I got hooked after the first fifty or so pages. With patience, the book is absolutely amazing, but its not for people who are rather impatient. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone over the age of thirteen.

Reader reviewed by Erik Brugnoli-Ensin


As a young Afghani boy, Amir feels neglected by his flawless father, and becomes jealous of the way his father acts affectionately toward his best friend Hassan. During the winter kite festival, Amir witnesses the violation of Hassan, who has always been loyal and true to Amir. He fails to rescue Hassan, and instead of talking about it, Amir ignores him. Amir is so full of anguish and guilt, he cannot speak to anyone about what he let happen, which makes him even more miserable. Amir and Hassan separate as the Russian occupation of Afghanistan begins, and as time passes, Amir settles down in the United States. Life improves for Amir in America, but he is still haunted by what happened. He feels guilty for being a coward in his past relationships with his perfect dad, and faithful companion. When Amir gets a call from an old friend, his world is flipped as hes thrown into war-torn Afghanistan, on a mission to be good again. Here, Amir finds out the truth about Hassan an his father.

The book is a powerful story of guilt, friendship, and redemption. It stirs up many emotions in the reader, especially in the early chapters. Just as the book seems to get dull, it takes off again when Amir leaves America, and has to face his past back in Afghanistan. The author is incredibly descriptive and maintains the readers interest throughout the majority of the book. I hold this book in high regards, and recommend it to anyone.

Reader reviewed by MRose52

The sad story of two boys; one's inoocence and the other's secrets. This is a story of self-forgiveness. This is a story of the love of brothers, and how that love can be shattered by lies. Enter Afghanistan, and the 1970's. Two boys, one servent, one the son of the master. They are joined by the bond of friendship, innocent love. Their story is one that should be known in every household, for it is beautyful and sad and wonderfull all at the same time. A must read.

Reader reviewed by MRose52

This book is the best of the best. Amazingly written, facinating, and heartbreakingly true. This is the story of a young and wealthy boy livign in Afghanistan, the decisions he makes, and the things he sees that will haust him the rest of his life. Although largly baised around forgiving others, it is also stressed to forgive yourself, because without that forgiveness you cannot move on. This book will break your heart, but its ending is satisfying and true and you have to pick it up.