The Kite Runner

Hosseini, Khaled. The kite runner, New York : Riverhead Books, 2003.

This novel gives a glimpse of life in Afghanistan before the Russian invasion.  Amir is the son of a well to-do Kabul merchant, who craves the attention of his father and Hassan is the son of Amir’s father’s servant who is loyal, kind and self-confident.  Amir is jealous of Hassan and his own father’s affection for him.  One day during a kite flying contest when Hassan is helping Amir with his kite, he becomes trapped and raped by a bunch of bullies.  Amir witnesses the incident but is too terrified to help.  Shamed by his actions, the boys drift apart and Amir flees to America to avoid political persecution.  Years later when Amir learns of Hassan’s death under the Taliban, he returns to Afghanistan to learn the fate of Hassan’s son. A thought provoking, character-driven story that captures the reader's interest.