The Kite Runner Audio CD – Unabridged, May 21, 2013

What is the novel about? Government authority, religious tolerance, family tradition, individual freedom, social values, economic conditions, the justice system, and environmental concerns. Variables and constants of life for practically any group of people, anywhere in the world. Where does the novel take place? In a modern, war-torn, impoverished nation of simple, independent-minded, family oriented, devoutly religious tradesmen, craftsmen, shopkeepers, and farmers. Specifically, Afghanistan. What's the big deal? Communists took over the country in 1978. The Russian military invaded. The leaders of the constitutional monarchy fled. Life went on much as before. The military left, about a decade later. Religious extremist factions rose to prominence and proceeded to divide the country. Some religious fanatics gained strength and began to consolidate their influence. The strictly intolerant, fundamentalist Taliban took over the country, having fought and defeated the others. After the attack on the NYC World Trade Center by Muslim terrorists in 2001, the U.S. military arrived in Afghanistan to combat terrorism. They've stayed over 18 years, and counting. They've been fighting the Taliban ever since. Current status? Not much has changed in the country. The poor people continue to suffer. The quality of life has not improved in the least. There is a total lack of and disregard for civil rights, legal representation, economic development, opportunity for advancement, and fair, impartial justice for all. Ordinary people look on apprehensively as bullets, rockets, and self-destructive bombers dispense justice. Complications? Poppy cultivation and narcotics production may be a contributing factor to social unrest in the country and in destabilizing the surrounding region, since Afghanistan is reputed to be a major supplier of heroin to much of the rest of the world. Hitherto unknown individuals, even anonymous groups of rugged-looking, bearded mountain men, may have become exceedingly wealthy and powerful distributing this type of commodity, obtaining weaponry to protect the trade and sowing discord in the process. Recommendations? Somebody ought to do something about raising the collective consciousness of the people, even if he only flies kites for health-care awareness, or runs marathons for red-cross disaster relief. There's a lot to be said for a good education, as well, in a nation of illiterates, who can't think for themselves. Other than that, in my opinion, only a continued military presence has any chance of stabilizing the region. Odd to think so, but this book review on The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, published in 2003, could have made a great beginning for a classified CIA report on any number of militant third-world countries they'd better keep a close eye on, in the interest of national security and improving diplomatic relations. On a personal note, the average reader can tell at first glance that the narrator of the story loves his family dearly and has developed life-long, respectful friendships from the time of his early childhood. He's made mistakes, certainly, but he has learned from them. He's grown. He knows right from wrong. He has found his rightful place in the community. He has finally acquired a sense of spirituality. What more should you expect? Forgiveness? A trip to Mecca? R. Royce thought about attending a high school football game north of Fort Worth at one of the large magnet schools situated there. A big event, locally speaking. In late August or early September it can be very hot outside, dry or steamy-humid, depending on changing weather conditions, even during the evening of the game. But, he would endure these extremes without complaint, patiently waiting for a cool breeze. It was part of life. One of the things that most impressed him was the energy and enthusiasm displayed by all of the youthful, active participants and spectators in attendance. He'd casually walk over to get a soda at the concession stand and there would be throngs of kids and parents milling about in long lines and in the foyer, chattering happily, cheerfully, excited to be part of the pageantry that has become a proud, Texas tradition. He carried the container of icy-cold drink beverage over to the stands in the stadium-- one which rivals stadiums at the college level in many communities in the states to the north, and took a long look all around him at the players on the field, the marching band, the cheerleaders, the fans in the stands. It was an impressive sight to behold, a glorious event that brought all kinds of people together, from all walks of life. It was a care-free time for relaxation, fun, and frolicking. Music was in the air. Laughter mingled with the sounds of brass instruments and drums. Students and friends and neighbors who hadn't seen one another for the entire summer, since school had been let out, met one another as for the very first time in their lives. It all felt new and different, somehow. Fresh and alive. Splendid and joyful. A carnival of sights and sounds. Popcorn. Syrupy soft drinks. Cotton candy. The best part of all: none of them yet knew his permanent place in society. No one told them this is where you are supposed to sit. This is what you are supposed to do. Nobody told them they had to sit down and be quiet. They were completely free to enjoy themselves, the festivities, and the sporting activities which presented themselves as they presented themselves. It was a good feeling to enjoy complete freedom, even if they didn't realize that's what it was, and a sense of security. They felt confident, bold, gleeful, and beautifully inspired. They would have a bright future before them with incredible challenges and vastly diverse opportunities. This, indeed, was something worth celebrating. Of course, by later on in the season, most of them would have found their seats, gone to them, and learned more about the type of acceptable behavior which was expected of them. For now, they all had infinite dignity and infinite possibilities. It was another matter entirely for season-ticket holders. They were the pillars of the community. The founding fathers of the city. The matriarchs of the establishment. People looked up to them, for the most part, and respected them. They mirrored society. If the students represented the future, they represented the present and the past. They were historically significant. His good friend, Cornelius Korn was on the telephone. "Care to fly to Iceland for the week-end?" he inquired. "I found a pilot and guide who's located a rocky outcrop, at the leading edge of a melting glacier, where we can find all the rubies we can possibly carry." "All we have to do is go and dig them out," said Royce, jubilantly. He'd instantly deduced the truth of the matter. "I think, I'd rather stay at home instead, and skip this trip," said Raquel. "What ever shall we do without you boys?" inquired Alexis Sue. "Pull weeds in the flower garden?" suggested Korn. "Re-paint the living room?" Royce offered up. Life goes on.

The atmosphere in the book is so colourful and vibrant, it just makes you feel at home. And by "home" I don't just mean that it paints a vivid picture of Afgan life in Kabul at the time; primarily, it gives you the sense that this much-maligned place in the world may have previously actually been a warm and welcoming place to be, a place where children could grow up carefree and happy.The setting is the early 1970s, just as the Taliban start to seize power and impose their barbaric ideals and behaviours. A rich boy and a poor boy, two playmates, two companions against all odds, and kites flying over the city, filling your heart with a sense of freedom, openness, and acceptance. When a foolish whim, much rooted in the disparity of social standing between the two boys however, betrays this friendship, the results are devastating, and the wounds such betrayal leaves scar a man’s soul for life. The fact that you know the children’s innocence and ignorance couldn't have possibly allowed them to foresee the full scope of the damage they'd do with their actions is what breaks your heart and makes you want to see the characters' redemption play out all the more desperately. Really, I can’t speak about this book without deeply feeling emotional and sad. It's one of the most outstanding books I've ever read, up there with the best of them.

*SPOILERS AHEAD* -the quotes are all from the book and this review is based on the audio book read by the author.-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I only started the audio book yesterday and I couldn't turn it off until now because I finished it a few seconds ago. It is the first time I read a non-British or non-American novel and to tell the truth, I listened to the audio book without having high expectations since I knew this novel was a best seller and I like to stay away from best sellers because they are, most of the time, a disappointment.However, this is not the case. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini it is certainly the most delicious piece of literature I've had the pleasure to lay my eyes on (or listen to), an outstanding novel that will be remembered for many generations to come...it will always be in my mind and heart, to say the least.I have tears in my eyes right now and my heart is swelling with overflowing emotions. The suspense made my heart skip many times, but the ending left a satisfied smile plastered on my face and I don't know what else to say because my mind is busy remembering those precious and cherished times from the main character's past as if they were my own memories. I feel like I went to another world and lived Amir's life and came back to this life, wondering about my own life too.The kite runner was so good, so sad, so real. There were no perfect characters and no imperfect characters. They all were human, they were despicable, they were lovely. I read this book or I should say, I listened to this book like when I eat my favorite cake: I can't stopped eating it and the only most important thing in this world is that small moment of pleasure, nothing else matters.Many people were mad at the main character because they thought he was heartless or committed many mistakes. We have to keep in mind that Amir was only a kid longing for his father's love, so everything that mattered to him was to make his father to look at him as a dear son, this just shows us the huge impact a father/mother's treatment can make to their children's lives. Although Amir was only a kid, that's no excuse for the cruel things he did to his best friend, the ever so kind and gentle soul, Hassan. His love and loyalty towards Amir never wavered even though he knew about his betrayal and everything he's done. He always loved him unconditionally. Hassan was my favorite character, he reminded me of Petey from another great book "Map of the harbor Islands".I cried for Hassan as if he was my best friend, I even wished to meet him, to be greeted one day by a man with such a pure soul and gentle smile like his. I admit I was mad at Amir many times for the things he did or I should better say, for the things he didn't do for Hassan, like rescuing him from that horrible time..." on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975" ...I wasn't mad at the fact that he was afraid, he was only a kid so it's understandable but I was mad at how good he was at pretending he didn't know nothing afterwards or that he was worried more about the blue kite than about his friend's condition, or so I thought.I wondered many times how I would react in Amir's place...that's why I couldn't hate him like others do...because he was just human and humans have feelings. We are selfish sometimes, we feel jealousy and envy, we are cowards or at least have something we are afraid of, we lie, we steal, we hurt, we love. Life becomes beautiful where love is involved. I believe that we should live our lives in love with the world and the people in it and not waste our short life by hating and rejecting people just because they are different. This book dealt with many issues of hate, status, politics, religion, poverty, wars, sins, the importance of your bloodline but most importantly, the importance of redemption and love over everything else."...there is a God, there always has been. I see him here, in the eyes of the people in this [hospital] corridor of desperation. This is the real house of God, this is where those who have lost God will find Him... there is a God, there has to be, and now I will pray, I will pray that He will forgive that I have neglected Him all of these years, forgive that I have betrayed, lied, and sinned with impunity only to turn to Him now in my hour of need. I pray that He is as merciful, benevolent, and gracious as His book says He is."Amir discovered later on that his life has been like a lie because his father kept a secret from everybody...this cost the suffering of many people, including himself. Amir also made many people suffer because of his lies and betrayal..."like father, like son""But better to be hurt by the truth than comforted with a lie."Amir suffered for the things he did, his conscience didn't leave him alone during all his life. He physically and mentally grew up and changed from a selfish, afraid boy to a responsible, valiant man. I forgive him because I also love him. :)"A boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything."Let me quote another great character, Rahim(oh! another good thing is that all the characters here are important and we learn something from all of them):"A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer."..."Forgive yourself"He said this to Amir because Amir always thought of himself as unworthy, despicable, dirty, a sinner."When guilt leads to good"Amir's guiltiness lead him to discover who he really was and what he really wanted. I love the fact that he risked his life to save Hassan's son as a way to redeem his sins, as a way to ask for forgiveness and he changed for him, suffered for him, felt for him. I was so sad for Hassan's son, Sohrab, just to think that many children has gone through the same things as him makes me shiver from terror.I'm afraid to say it has become my favorite book because The Count of Monte Cristo remained as my favorite book of all time for many years but now that I think about it, The Kite Runner is more realistic and touched me deeply on so many levels unlike the former which is a bit unrealistic but both novels are magnificently created for greatness.There was not a single time I felt bored or tired. It is not a short novel, thus I'm amazed that I finished it so fast, I wasn't even aware of it, for my mind was glued to the story. I will listen to it again and buy the book because I want to run my fingers through the pages and re-read my favorite parts. And as you can see, the top-notch writing was perfect and so was the unfolding of the story. The characters captivated me the most, though.And finally, I loved this small story written by little Amir:"That same night, I wrote my first short story. It took me thirty minutes. It was a dark little tale about a man who found a magic cup and learned that if he wept into the cup, his tears turned into pearls. But even though he had always been poor, he was a happy man and rarely shed a tear. So he found ways to make himself sad so that his tears could make him rich. As the pearls piled up, so did his greed grow. The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping helplessly into the cup with his beloved wife's slain body in his arms."I tell ya, this book is AMAZING!

This is a story about friendship, sacrifice, love, lies, repentance, tragedy, pain and redemption.Amir and Hassan, who lives in Afghanistan were nursed by a same woman as both of them lost their mothers immediately after their birth. As they grew up together in a same home they became inseparable. Hassan was the closest thing to a best friend Amir ever had. But he never accepted that in public as they both belonged to a different community. Hassan was a Hazara boy who belonged to Shi'a community. He was the son of Amir's servant. Whereas Amir was a Pashtun and was the son of one of the most renowned man of the town, a Sunni.Hassan was a brave and honest boy, a loyal friend and he was the best "kite runner" of the town. He was deadly with his slingshot. He was a pure soul and a true friend. Whereas Amir was a coward, mean and an egoistic boy. His head was always buried in books. He had become a good writer and a poet at a very young age. Hassan on the other hand never went to school. Amir used to read Hassan various stories but sometimes he teased Hassan for the words he had never heard of as he was an illiterate. Hassan being innocent and kind never minded that.When Amir was young he used to long for his father's love. He could go to any length to achieve his father's affection and love which was missing from his life. In the winter of 1975, Amir won the "Kite fighting tournament" and won his father's love too. But that happiness didn't last too long as in the same winter a horrible event occured which destroyed everything.Hassan had always went out of his way to help Amir. Whenever they were in trouble Hassan used to take stand for Amir and always saved him from any ruckus. But when Amir's time came to pay Hassan back for what he had done for him, he backed out. He betrayed his own friend who had always been there for him like his own brother. Amir pretended as if he didn't see anything. Little did he know that thing will haunt him forever and even after 26 years he will not be able to sleep peacefully at night.So this is the story of Amir's search for redemption and peace. That how he returned back to a new but jeopardized Kabul from his comfortable life in America and how he got his peace back somehow but in broken pieces.The devastation of Afghanistan, the abolishment of monarchy, the Russian invasion and then Taliban rule has been described very boldly and is really heartbreaking. This book is not for the light-hearted people at all. This is a tragic story which will leave you sad and heartbroken.I have read the other two books of Khaled Hosseini as well. This book is a lot better than "And the mountains echoed" but still I like "A thousand splendid suns" the best.

"For you, a thousand times over."This was the second time I read The Kite Runner and I wasn't disappointed - nope, not at all.The Kite Runner is one book that has stayed close with me every time I have read it. I still remember the first time I went through it. It was on a very long train journey. I read it through whatever daylight was available and I ended up crying my heart out. Thanks for me, the second AC compartment had curtains to hide my eyes every time I teared up.What is more is that this book was the first book by Hosseini that I read and I ended up loving it so much that I just had to buy the other two as well. (I still don't have Sea Prayer or a copy of this book but I'm trying to lay my hands on them soon enough. Books like these should end up in my bookshelf.)Now I know almost everyone has read this book so my review probably won't even matter but I simply cannot not write about it. The Kite Runner was heartbreaking beautiful, heart-wrenching disastrous and a painful tearjerker.The book has everything - from rape, war, terrorism to friendship, love and heartbreak. It is also one of the few books that I have read on a tradition that has been forgotten since a long while now - of kite flying and running. I still remember when, as a kid, there was a Muslim family in my neighbourhood. They would be the first ones to fly kite in the winters. It didn't snow like it did in Amir's Afghanistan, but it was a pretty nice day. I remember how I would often look at the boy's kite in awe, for it was the only kite that flew till the very end. And all of them were always so happy. Every year after the game was over, they would invite us over for dinner. We never went, until one day I woke up to find the house empty. It has been years now and till date, I have no clue why they left all of a sudden. Or rather, who sent them away but I remember thinking the reason behind it all. Here was a family, trying to enjoy, trying to create a life and they sent them away.The Kite Runner brought back those memories and so many other things. Hassan, for example, broke my heart. Or rather, what happened to him did it. How could he love a man so much despite everything that man had done to him? They moved to America and Amir never even contacted him. That was the least they could do. That was just the....No matter how the story ends, I will always know Hassan as the boy who ran, the boy who got betrayed and the boy who was not given what he deserved. And why? All because he was a Hazara? I hate stereotypes and I hate when one culture is undermined for no valid reason. So when Hassan's story was revealed in the end, it did nothing but kill me.Over and over again.But it's alright. Because for you, a thousand times over.

There is a sense reading this book that you are participating in a literary phenomenon. The story essentially relates to the lives of 2 boys Amir and Hassan, growing up in Kabul and told through the eyes of Amir. Amir is the son of a rich man, he is educated, more refined, and most importantly, part of the Sunni ruling class. Hassan is the son of the household servant and is illiterate, more physically robust, and unfortunately for him, part of the Shia lower class. Hassan knows his place and lives a strange existence as Amir’s friend but also his servant.Following an incident where Hassan suffers greatly in protecting Amir, it leaves Amir with an unshakeable sense of guilt and culpability that manifests itself in a resentful disposition towards Hassan. The class system plays its part but the cowardice of Amir will haunt him throughout his life. The writing is really wonderful, how this is portrayed, and so imperceptibly built to capture emotions and our sentiments of injustice.Years later Amir who has now returned from the US to right some of these wrongs and seeks redemption with Hassan and make amends. Since Amir was last in Afghanistan the Taliban are now in control of the state, society and religion. The writing is so wonderfully paced and descriptive to bring both the emotional horrors and fear of the alien culture he now experiences.A really superb book on so many levels – the history, religion, social culture, character interaction and it’s ultimately dealing with human emotions of friendship, guilt, selflessness and selfishness. A must read!

** spoiler alert ** I read a review of this book that said Hosseini has a Dickensian way of storytelling. I can see what they mean.This book is filled with devastating personal tragedies as well as war and the destruction of a nation. Our story revolves around Amir and his best friend Hassan and an event which changes them both.The author takes us through death, rape, war, torture, fascism, and destruction, but happiness and redemption are hinted at on the final page. Amir has finally fought for Hassan the way he should have done when they were 12...he cannot change the past but he can attempt to redeem himself.Things aren't quite tied up with a neat, Victorian era bow, but they are resolved enough that the reader is happy to leave the family to it.A beautiful ending and a wonderful book.

There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhoodThe Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, the son of a wealthy Afghan and member of the ruling caste of Pashtuns. Amir’s companion as a child was his servant Hassan, from the despised and impoverished Hazara caste. Their bond is torn by Amir’s choice to abandon his friend amidst the increasing ethnic, religious and political tensions of the dying years of the Afghan monarchy. Despite escaping from troubles in his motherland, Amir will have to return to right past wrongs against the only true friend he ever had.The comradeship between an affluent boy and the son of his father’s servant takes centre stage in the early stages of The Kite Runner, a novel set in a country that is in the process of being destroyed. A beguiling story that explores the price of betrayal, the efforts to gain redemption for past wrongs, and the undeniable connection and power that exists between a father and his son, whether it be a son striving to earn the affection of a father, or the sacrifices and lies that they both have to live with throughout their lives.There are coincidences and clichés aplenty, and they play a part in detracting from what could have been a compelling classic. The inclusion of coincidences is designed to deliver a heartfelt image into the readers’ minds. These range from the Hassan-Sohrab heroic similarities, the Assed-Taliban inclusion, the emotional use of clef lips, and the professor-cum-homeless man that knew Amir’s mother. The fact that there is a catalogue of coincidences in the story-line does rather weaken the overall story as the effect of each coincidence lessens each time rather than it being a special and unusual moment. The plethora of clichés that Hosseini includes comes as no surprise given the detailed passage defending the use of clichés in Amir’s work. Amir/Hosseini argues that clichés have become clichés for good reason, and this comes as way of explanation for his unabashed use of them.The visual descriptions of Afghanistan during the many years of turmoil that the people have had to endure is the best written aspect of the book. The days of the monarchic dynasty, a rebellious coup, the Soviet-Afghan war and the resulting Taliban occupation of the country in the wake of 9/11 is given great coverage. These historic moments are described from a unique standpoint – the perspective of an Afghan. The perilous journey out of the country during one of the periods of unrest was particularly well executed, as the conditions, the dangers and the corruption came to the surface in Hosseini’s words in a way which came across as believable, as if it was based on personal experience or honest accounts of such escapes.The redemption story, which takes over the latter part of the novel, loses its sheen as Amir isn’t the most likeable character given his actions and thoughts earlier in the novel regarding his “friend” Hassan. The inner monologue showed his jealousy towards Hassan concerning some things that eluded Amir, plus his reticence regarding the protection and honour of his “friend” was a shameful lack of action on his part, and he continued the betrayal shortly after to cement his place as a character I disliked. He also seems to be hesitant at making up for past sins on his return to Afghanistan years later, again, not instilling good feeling towards him from me.For me The Kite Runner was a well narrated novel which explored the father-son relationship especially well, in quite articulate fashion, and Hosseini presented Amir’s ongoing guilt through the middle-to-late chapters in an interesting and delicate manner. A story that explores a country we have heard so much about in recent years, yet we truly know the history or the mindset of the people of Afghanistan. The Kite Runner is a fascinating and culturally important novel for those who know little about the people and the trials they have had to live through, as well as having a compelling story to guide the way.