Voted 2nd in the Books of the Decade by Lovereading readers.

Voted as the Penguin/Orange Reading Group Book of the Year 2006 and 2007.

This book seemed to come out of nowhere.  It was the first Afghan novel to be written in English and it became a word-of-mouth bestseller in no time at all.  Telling a tragic story of childhood jealousy and fear, it covers a bitter part of Afghan history in a painful tale that truly pulls at the heartstrings.  A brilliant book.

Richard Charkin, Executive Director of Publisher Bloomsbury, said:

“We’re delighted that The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini has been selected by Lovereading as the number two title of the last Decade. We’re so pleased it continues to resonate with today’s readers and hope it will continue to do so for many decades to come.”

Comparison: Daniel Mason, Asne Seierstad, Yasmina Khadra
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Synopsis

Winter, 1975: Afghanistan — a country hidden in the corner of Asia, ruled over by a fading monarchy on the verge of an internal coup. But in Kabul, twelve-year-old Amir has his own concerns. He is desperate to win the annual kite-fighting tournament to prove to his father that he has the makings of a man. Amir’s friend Hassan is a low-caste Muslim and the son of a crippled servant but nevertheless the two boys play together and defend each other against the neighbourhood’s bullies. However, during the tournament, Amir takes advantage of Hassan’s guileless devotion and commits a terrible act of betrayal which is to shatter their lives and define their future.

Amir finds that he can never escape the far-reaching consequences of his actions. Unfolding against Afghanistan’s destructive history, from the fall of the monarchy to the terrifying oppression of the Taliban, The Kite Runner is the breathtaking story of fathers and sons, friendship and redemption, and, most horrifyingly, the casualties of fate.

Reviews

‘A devastating, masterful and painfully honest story of a life crippled by an act of childhood cowardice and cruelty ... although The Kite Runner is told with simplicity and poise, it is a novel of great hidden intricacy and wisdom, like a timeless Eastern tale. It speaks the most harrowing truth about the power of evil, personal and political, and intoxicates, like a high-flying kite, with the power of hope’ — Daily Telegraph

'As Hosseini’s narrative gathers pace, his sparkling descriptions of people, places and emotions never dry up. Hosseini is a truly gifted teller of tales — he knows that his story is an old one, but he also knows that it’s a good one, and he’s not afraid to pull every string in your heart to make it sing' — The Times

‘Written with the intimate, inside knowledge of Afghan society the handling of the father-son relationship ... rings true with tenderness and truth. But it is Hassan's silent, sacrificial love that will bring the lump to your throat’ — Daily Mail

About the Author

Khaled Hosseini was born in Afghanistan and his family received political asylum in the USA in 1980.  He lives in California and he works as a physician. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation