About The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner book cover

Recognized as the first Afghan novel written in English, The Kite Runner is the story of Amir, an upper class Afghan boy, and Hassan, his servant and best friend. Though Hassan is an endlessly loyal and caring friend, Amir betrays him in a shocking series of events that tears apart their friendship. Even after Amir flees with his father to America to start a new life away from the horrors of the Soviet invasion, his guilt over Hassan's fate lingers. Decades later, he discovers he must return to Afghanistan, now under the bloody and oppressive rule of the Taliban. There, he must find a way to make up for his past mistakes, as he is urged on by a friend: "There is a way to be good again."

Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan's tumultuous modern history, this universal tale of betrayal and salvation has become an award-winning bestseller and been a popular selection among book groups and community reading programs across country. A film version of the novel is planned.