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
As a young boy growing up in pre-Soviet Afghanistan, Amir befriends his servant's son, Hassan. Occupying polar ends of Kabul's social hierarchy, the two boys nevertheless play together and defend each other against neighbourhood bullies. However, during Kabul's annual kite-fighting tournament in the winter of 1975, Amir takes advantage of Hassan's guileless devotion and commits as terrible act of betrayal against him.
THE KITE RUNNER takes listeners on a psychological and spiritual journey with Amir as he becomes a man forced to face the far-reaching, tragic consequences of his disloyalty.
Set amidst a culture and a country that existed before the Soviets, before the Taliban, before al Qaeda, and before the U.S invasion, "The Kite Runner" is an enthralling and totally absorbing story about fathers and sons, sin and atonement, injustice and the human yearning for redemption.
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 Simon & Schuster Audio an imprint of Simon & Schuster UK
The Kite Runner has 5 pages
