Blurb

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

New York Times Readers Pick: 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

“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.”—The 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.

Review

This was the second of the two books my wife Sarah picked out for me to read this year, following The Women. I enjoyed this one more. Although enjoyed might not be the right word. Both of these books are heavy with trauma and the ramifications. I do not want to explore why she picked these two for me to read.

The Kite Runner explores themes of redemption, guilt, and personal transformation. Set in pre and post Russian Afghanistan and the US, the story follows Amir, a privileged boy whose childhood betrayal of his friend/servant Hassan haunts him into adulthood. As a child, he is jealous of Hassan, even if he is seen as the lower class in their society. That jealousy leads to regret. Regret shapes who he is.

He is emotionally stunted by his shortcomings, but still manages to find success in life despite them. The book does not delve deep into the why there. Instead, it focuses on atonement.

At its core, The Kite Runner is a story of redemption. Amir is flawed, and he knows it, yet his journey to confront his past and atone for his mistakes is both painful and compelling. Hosseini doesn’t offer easy resolutions. The road to atonement is not deep here. One moment is atoned for with another. Simple as that.

What struck me most was the novel’s authenticity. The cultural richness, the emotional depth, and the vivid descriptions of Kabul made it feel incredibly real—so much so that I had to check if it was autobiographical. A quick Google search showed me that Hosseini is frequently asked this question. The story carries a feeling of having been lived.

This novel is an emotional read, filled with moments of beauty and heartbreak. It is a story that makes you ask what would you do in this situation. For most of us, there is the answer we would want it to be, and the answer it probably is. That leaves you pondering life a little. That is what good books do.

4 of 5 stars.