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. ~ Sarah Broadhurst
Voted 2nd in the Books of the Decade by Lovereading readers. 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.”
Voted as the Penguin/Orange Reading Group Book of the Year 2006 and 2007.
The Bloomsbury Modern Classic Series
Restless by William Boyd
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Win a Copy of The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan and a Bucket List Scratch Book
Closing date: 04/07/2026
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.
The Kite Runner features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Sharing Diverse Voices, eBooks of the Month, Book Club Recommendations, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations
The Kite Runner is available in Paperback, Hardback, CD-Audio
The Kite Runner was written by Khaled Hosseini and published by Bloomsbury an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
The Kite Runner has 648 pages
£14.39
