The Story of the Kite Runner

The story begins with the narrator, Amir recalling the day in 1975 that changed his life. Amir’s best friend is Hassan, whose father works for Amir’s father. Amir feels that his father’s distance towards him is due to the fact that his mother died while giving birth to him. Amir’s father feels as though his son can’t stand up for himself. Hassan ends up having to always defend Amir. Amir snaps at his friend and says he does have a mean streak. One day, Amir tells Hassan a made up story instead of reading one. Rahim Khan tells him he has a God given talent. When Hassan turns twelve his cleft lip is fixed. The cold winters were a time when schools were closed and kite flying was all the rage. Hassan was the ultimate kite runner. After the kite contest, Hassan is cornered by the bully and raped. Amir pretends he didn’t see and Amir’s father is proud of him for winning in the kite competition. After the incident, Hassan stays in bed all day and Amir becomes a mean insomniac because of the guilt. Eventually Hassan proves his loyalty to Amir. Amir realizes that he can’t live with Hassan anymore so he tells his father Hassan stole some of his birthday gifts. Although Amir’s father is forgiving, Hassan and Ali leave; Baba cries. On the way to Pakistan Kamal dies and Kamal’s father kills himself right after. Amir and Baba end up in California where Amir decides he wants to major in English. He then meets Soraya who he marries. His father dies shortly after. Amir goes to visit Rahim Khan and finds out Hassan had been his brother. Although his brother is dead, he still has a nephew and goes to look for him. In the end Amir becomes his nephew kite runner.

The author, Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan into a family that was well off. His father was a diplomat and his mother worked at a high school. When the Soviets attacked Afghanistan his family was granted political asylum and moved to California in 1980. After high school Hosseini studied medicine in...