Book Review: Kite Runner

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is Afghanistani-American novelist, Khaled Hosseini's best-selling debut novel. It’s a tale of “betrayal and redemption that rises above time and place while simultaneously remaining firmly anchored against the tumultuous backdrop of modern Afghanistan.”

            The book is a mesmerizing story of a boy named Amir. The book is written as if Amir is telling his life’s story. The book unravels some strong and ironic realities of life through Amir’s life experiences. Amir lives in a lavish house with his father. Although he is the only child of his father but he is deprived of the love and affection from his “Baba”. His only best friend is Hassan who lives with his father in the servant quarter in his house. Hassan and Ali (Hassan’s father) belong to a Hazara ethnic race—a minority in Afghanistan and is not considered to have a good repute. Amir and Hassan share a strong bond of love and friendship but the relationship takes a strong turn after an unfortunate event at a kite tournament that takes place in Amir’s neighborhood every year.

            The Story cannot be in any way expressed in a short review since it is immensely deep and creates a strong attachment of readers with the characters of the book. The book is not just about Amir’s life; it’s about love, friendship, loyalty, betrayal and about unfortunate decisions that one takes in life and about  that guilt hovers until you have fought for its forgiveness.

            Khaled Hosseini knows how to play with words, he masters the magic of keeping his readers stay put with the book. You don’t want to keep the book down. But be assured the book will make you cry. A novel that you must not miss!