by Khaled Hosseini
Wow. This book would be noteworthy enough simply for its eye-opening glimpse of Afghan life and history. But it also delivers with a good story:a tale of despair, betrayal, and hope that is fueled by the internal conflicts of its main character, Amir.
The story follows Amir’s life, from his early days as the privileged son of a Kabul businessman, through the political unrest of the late 70s and 80s that eventually leads his family to leave Afghanistan and settle in the US. Though he enjoys his new life in the States, Amir’s past haunts him–especially a tragic event involving his childhood friend and servant, Hassan. He’s given an opportunity to redeem the past by returning to Afghanistan and readers travel along for an unforgettable journey into the Taliban-ruled country.
Its easy to imagine that Afghanistan has always been the conflicted and war-torn country that we hear about on the news today. And much of that darkness and brutality has been inked into the pages of this book. But The Kite Runner reminds us that this country has a gentler side to its history as well–and even holds out some hope for this nation of political turmoil. If you want a book that’s timely, educational, and entertaining, sit down with a copy of The Kite Runner. It’s a journey you’ll not soon forget.
As The Page Turns 