The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - Book Review

I have become interested in the culture of Afghanistan/Pakistan/India and other such places. Thus, I embarked on a journey to read many books by authors which depict such people and their culture. I am not a scholar by any means, but I am beginning to distinguish the good from the bad when it comes to portraying culture and people of this region.

I read Khaled Hosseini's "Kite Runner," in two days. It was so riveting that I could not put it down. I devoured each word.

I read Christen Shullo's review published on this site, 05/15/2008. While I agree with her assessment, I thought that I might clarify some points.

Hosseini does a wonderful job at describing the differences between Pashtons and hazaras. He elaborates on the class and social distinctions in Afghanistan. He paints a brilliant picture of Afghanistan: as a child. Immigrating to America where he goes to college, becomes a novelist and marries. and then is summoned back to Taliban ruled Afghanistan as an adult. However, the real gem is Hosseini's ability to understand the complexities of friendship. He weaves a stunning novel of relationship, family, friendship, culture, and emotion. This is not just a novel about Afghanistan. It is a novel about father/son relationships, friends from different class systems, guilt, redemption, courage and pride. It is a story both in and out of Afghanistan. It is a story effected by The Russian invasion of Afghanistan and later the Taliban rule. While there are some obvious parallels and the story does, ultimately, end happily, I will give this a 5* review.

I like happy endings.