Book Review: The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kite Runner is a story of two boys who grow up together in Afghanistan in the days before war tears the country apart. Amir is the son of a wealthy and respected business man. Hassan is the son of a servant in Amir's home. The boys grow up together and are close friends, although Amir has a hard time admitting to being Hassan's "friend" because of the religious and cultural differences that divide them. One day, Amir witnesses a terrible thing happen to Hassan and instead of trying to help, Amir runs away in fear. This one event will drastically change both Amir's and Hassan's life forever.

This book is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Not only is it a wonderful story, it also sheds light on a culture and a country that few Americans know very much about. While difficult to read at times because of the graphic nature of some of the terrible things that happen to the characters, I never felt that any of the gritty details were written purely for shock value. They were necessary and pivotal and, unfortunately, more than likely based on true atrocities.

This is a book that will help you to remember how lucky you are if you have grown up in the United States. This is a book that will remind you that childhood pranks and mistakes can change a life forever. This is a book that will encourage you to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. This is a book that illustrates that while past regrets may cause present grief, there is peace in forgiveness and redemption.

I recommend this book to everyone.

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