The Kite Runner

 Khaled Hosseini

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Literary Fiction

Initial Impression I’d heard a lot of good things about Khaled Hosseini’s writing and stories, but since this was my first time picking up one of his books, I didn’t know what to expect.

Summary The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is set in 1970s Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir is a privileged young boy from the dominant Pashtun group, living with his father, Baba. Amir often feels a distance between them and suspects that his birth—during which his mother died—has something to do with it.

Amir has a loyal companion who loves him like a brother: Hassan, the son of their Hazara servant, Ali. Despite the class and ethnic divide, the two boys share a close bond, flying kites and telling stories together.

Eventually, something very disturbing happens, and everything changes. Ali and Hassan end up leaving. Later, with the Soviet invasion, Amir and his father flee to the United States. Years later, Amir finds himself drawn back to Afghanistan, needing to rescue someone. I’ve deliberately kept the details vague—this is a story best read without knowing too much.

Characters The characters are incredibly multilayered, each written with depth and emotional complexity. The story is narrated by Amir, beginning in his childhood and continuing through his adult life in America.

Amir: I hated Amir as a child—for what he did and for not standing up for his friend. Worse still, he pushed Hassan away because he reminded him of his own cowardice. I believe this is exactly the reaction the author wanted to evoke. As Amir grows up, we slowly begin to root for him—to step up, to face his past, and to finally do the right thing. Even though Amir later has to go to Afghanistan to rescue the important character, I feel this was more about Amir rescuing himself. 

Hassan: Hassan is the heart of the novel. A loyal, pure-hearted friend you can’t help but love—and feel deep sorrow for.

Baba (Amir’s father): At first, Baba seems wise and balanced, but as the story unfolds, we see that he is a flawed human being who makes big mistakes too.

Soraya: She’s an interesting character, as are her parents. I really admired Soraya for her honesty—how she told Amir her secret before marriage. That moment added a lot to her character.

Writing Style Hosseini’s prose is beautiful and full of depth. With just words and situations, he stirs a whole range of emotions. His poetic writing style makes The Kite Runner an unforgettable experience.

Setting and Atmosphere The author portrays Afghanistan vividly—both before and after Taliban rule. He brings the setting to life so well that you feel like you’re living there, experiencing the joy, the sorrow, and the tension firsthand. Later, the immigrant experience in America is also portrayed thoughtfully, especially the struggles of those who fled a war-torn homeland.

Overall Impression This was a 5-star read for me because it delivered everything I expect from literary fiction: a compelling story, well-developed characters, strong narration, and beautiful writing. It’s a powerful tale of redemption, regret, and personal growth. I couldn’t help but draw a comparison to Ian McEwan’s Atonement—different stories, but both explore characters trying to make amends for the past.

Movie Adaptation I had to watch the movie adaptation after finishing the book. It’s a decent film, but it doesn’t quite capture the emotional depth of the novel. I think it was a missed opportunity not to use narration for Amir’s perspective—it could have made a big difference. There were also a few cultural inaccuracies, such as the burial scene, that should have been handled better. While the actors were well-cast, some of the book’s most emotional moments—like Baba’s grief when Ali and Hassan leave—were not translated effectively on screen. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

Key Themes

• Guilt and redemption
  

• Loyalty and betrayal
  

• Father–son relationships
  

• Ethnic tensions and conflict