The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner Reviews


by Khaled Hosseini



Overall 5 star rating4.85 of 5 (by 27 users)



The Kite Runner Review Summary

The Kite Runner is the much heralded first novel by Afghan-American author Khald Hosseini. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous history of the country of Afghanistan, Hosseini brings to life two central characters, Kabul and the son of his father's servant, Hassan. Hosseini's narrative is compelling as,"The story,descriptions, and characters drew me directly into the book, almost as if as a reader I was floating high above the story watching it unfold.". This story of friendship and betrayal and a journey in search of redemption is "a page turning wonderfully expressive novel." as "Hosseini gives us fully developed characters, a poignant--but not sappy--story rich with imagery, complex subject matter, and insight.". All our reviewers recommend The Kite Runner as a strong story and for " anybody that has a passion for learning about new cultures."
85% of people rated The Kite Runner as 5 stars
85% of people rated The Kite Runner as 5 stars%
85%
15% of people rated The Kite Runner as 4 stars
15% of people rated The Kite Runner as 4 stars%
15%
No one rated The Kite Runner as 3 stars
No one rated The Kite Runner as 3 stars%
0%
No one rated The Kite Runner as 2 stars
No one rated The Kite Runner as 2 stars%
0%
No one rated The Kite Runner as 1 star
No one rated The Kite Runner as 1 star%
0%
96% 96% of people recommend The Kite Runner 4% of people don't recommend The Kite Runner 4%
 

The Kite Runner Ratings and Reviews

items/page: 15 | 30 | 50 displaying 1 to 15 of 27 sort by: most helpful | date | rating


10
helpful
votes
chronic book buyer, into trying new things, a fiction reader

MAY
11
2008

Today I read The Kite Runner, a novel by by Khaled Hosseini, who with his father's family travelled to America to escape the Taliban.  I actually mean that -- today. All 400 pages.  In two hours and 30 minutes on a flight from Dayton, Ohio to Houston Texas.

The Kite Runner Story Line  

A young man, (Amir),coming of age story, finding out that the world around him is not as he thinks, he struggles with his desire to act one way, (a writer) while attempting to achieve his father's love.  His actions while he is growing up lead both him and his hazara. (slave) named Hasan, whom quite often he...

review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
2009 VIP
LisaCarey
Houston, TX



4
helpful
votes
analytical, an avid reader

APR
3
2008

"For you, a thousand times..."

There are certain phrases in great novels that not only sound poetic, but also encapsulate the larger theme that the author is expressing in the story.  I won't give away the reasons, but the above phrase brought tears to my eyes, burrowed into my soul, and resonated with me long after the story concluded.

With his much-heralded story, The Kite Runner, author Khaled Hosseini brings the abstract news stories of life in Afghanistan into focus so that readers can view the abstraction of a foreign culture in a fundamentally relatable story; no matter what your background...

review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
2009 VIP
LoveisJoy
Chicagoland, IL



Reviews continue below ad
4
helpful
votes
a fiction reader

MAR
24
2008
    I'd like to start out by saying I haven't read a whole novel since I graduated from highschool about 5 years ago.   I was reading reviews about this book and decided I'd try to pick up reading as a hobby again.  I loved it!  Its as simple as that!  From the moment I started reading it I couldn't put it down.  This book has excellent hooks and it wasn't as predictable as some of the other novels I have read (many years ago of course!).  I've very excited that there is a movie for this book.  I can't wait to see it. 

Considering this is a book some people reading the review may have...
review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
2008 Contributor
Chicken
Silver Creek, NY



3
helpful
votes
a fiction reader

MAY
13
2008
This book is not to for the weak!  It was heart wrenching!  There are shocking moments on every page!  I couldn't put it down!  My son has all the loud obnoxious toys and I was into this book-I could read through all of it!  I sat up until 3 am two nights in a row because I couldn't stop reading! 
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
hbeeler84
Irving, IL



1
helpful
vote
reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, an avid reader

DEC
9
2008

I have been recommended to read Khaleb Hosseini's 'The Kite Runner" by a friend of mine. And, oh boy, am i glad I did!

For anybody interested in the Middle Eastern culture, this book about a boy's childhood in Afghanistan, which includes many beautiful descriptions of the culture and life there, is a gemstone. But much more than that, this book awakens a deep sense of compassion in the reader. The reader lives with the characters: he cries when they cry, laughs when they laugh, and feels equally involved in their struggles.

This is no ordinary book, the Kite Runner not only awakens compassion in...

review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
guesswho17
Rockville, MD



1
helpful
vote
reading non-fiction, a fiction reader, avid reader, re-reading the classics, reading Oprah's picks

JUN
12
2008
I just want to say this book is a splendid installment into the world of literature.  It capticates the reader and dosn't let go until the final words roll off your tongue.  The Kite Runner has made its place in history and so has Hosseini.  I want to read it again.  I love it, I love it so much.
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
UncleBrady
Porum, OK



1
helpful
vote
a woman

JUL
1
2008
Hardly ever pick up a book to read. As part of a summer reading assignment for college had to read The Kite Runner. Once I got into it could not put it down.
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
tazj15
Uniontown, OH



D
an avid reader

JUL
29
2009

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is one of the best novels I have ever read. I read one or two novels a weekend, and I just could not put this one down. The story is about a man who recounts his life growing up in Afganistan prior to the Soviet invasion. It's clear that the story could be happening anywhere in the United States, until the Soviet invasion. The descriptions of how that event changed the narrator's life, as well as the lives of everyone else, is extraordinary.  This man has some very complex relationships. The detailing of what happens when the narrator and his father come to America...

review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
witmaster
Closter, NJ



D
fiction reader, read for fun

NOV
20
2007
i heard about this book from a coworker.  i purchased it and then read it in 2 days.  i could not put it down.  it was such an insight to the middle east way of living and their way of thinking.  i made me appreciate the country i live in and made me so thankful for all that i have.  i cried multiple times, so be prepared to sob over this book.  when i finished it i kissed my children and my husband and let them know how happy i am that they are healthy and we live in a land of such opportunity.  i looked walked around my house and felt joy that i have a wonderful place to live in and there... review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
skippynurse
Hamilton, OH



D
avid reader

DEC
16
2007

Kite Runner is a must read.  Amir, a young boy in 1970's Afghanistan, is perpetually seeking the approval of his father.  Amir is best friends with Hassan, the son of his father's servant.  These are complex relationships.  Amir's life is changed forever after witnessing a horrifying crime involving Hassan.  This haunting experience follows Amir to America and back to Afghanistan as Amir's life comes full circle. 

Kite Runner is a powerful read that will leave you emotionally drained at times.  It is not often that a single book leaves me experiencing so many emotions - Anger, Disgust, Pity,...

review »
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
cmc
Lansing, MI



D
read for fun, casual reader, a fan of quick, page turning books, character-lover

NOV
18
2007
I loved this book.  You care about the charecters. Even when I though I knew what was going to happen I found out I didn't.  This book gives an insite into the world we live in that me may not realize is going on.  More importantly I think it gives us a look at ourselves and all people. The mistakes don't make us bad.  Forgiving is the best thing and the hardest thing we can do, especially when it is ourself we need to forgive.  This book is going to be turned into a movie.  I hope they can do it justice.
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
wmk-fl
Orlando, FL



D
Every day computer user, a busy person, fiction reader, avid reader, chronic reader, a Harry Potter fanatic, married, a fan of clever plots

NOV
24
2007
This book is so great and heart-warming. There are such strong internal conflicts I just couldn't bear to put the book down. It is a must read for everyone! The characters are wonderful and the writing is terrific and simple, very easy to read. Immediately after finishing this book I went out and bought the author's second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns (I also was surprised that The Kite Runner is his first book). I am excited to see the movie that is coming out based on the book but it won't be able to compare!
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
kittykisses1
Nashville, TN



D
a sci-fi buff

SEP
28
2008
a very interesting book that takes you on the journey of seeing the rise of the al queda.  you learn a slice of life story with the fearful perspective of al queda rising to power.  it allowed me to see a different side of another culture that is often times portrayed badly and biased.  i would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about the arab culture and see the start of al queda and its effects on good communities and people.
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
4 star rating
reviewer
jonr76
Elmhurst, IL



D
read for fun, a book collector, an avid reader, re-reading the classics, Every day computer user, reading non-fiction, chronic book buyer, a fiction reader

JUN
15
2008

i originally bought this book b/c everyone i knew was ranting and raving about how great it was.
initially, i didn't believe them.
some of my friends said it was life changing!
i was a little hesitant at first, but when i bought it and began reading it, i was literally shocked!
after a day, i finished it.
and i can truly say, it IS life changing and VERY inspiring.

for those who haven't read it, READ IT!


Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
GiselleLevy
Wayne, NJ



D
a woman, chronic book buyer, read for fun, avid reader, chronic reader, Every day computer user, married

NOV
28
2007
this book was one the best books I have read in along time.i learned so much about Afghanistan culture.How suprising  that their beliefs in differant classes of people so mirrors the differant classes in our society. It is a wonderful story of two friends from differant classes of people whose freindship as children is jeapordized when growing up. This really is a very well written book.I would reccomend this book to eveyone.
Did you find this review helpful?
 
 
5 star rating
reviewer
danderson9
Stevens Point, WI



Reviews of The Kite Runner

1  2  
Buttons_next
 

Start a New Discussion about The Kite Runner