Review Detail

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.