The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner (2003) by Khaled Hosseini. In what seems like an autobiographical tale, Hosseini tells the story of a boy named Amir, now grown to manhood, and his eventful life in Afghanistan. Amir lives from the time before the Soviet invasion to the time after 9/11, when it is U.S. forces moving into Afghanistan in the attempt to drive Al-Qaeda out. The "kite runner" of the title is his boyhood friend, Hassan, who comes to represent everything that goes wrong in the life of Amir and his later attempts to make amends. Although the writing is not as polished as some books, this one is a moving and memorable read. Grade: A-