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Kite Runner
THE ULTIMATE GUIDES TO EXAM SUCCESS from York Notes - the UK's favourite English Literature Study Guides. York Notes for AS & A2 have been specifically designed to help AS and A2 students get the very best grade you can. They are comprehensive, easy to use, packed with valuable features and written by experienced examiners and teachers to give you an expert understanding of the text, critical approaches and the all-important exam. This edition covers The Kite Runner and An enhanced exam skills section which includes essay plans, expert guidance on understanding questions and sample answers. Youll know exactly what you need to do and say to get the best grades. A wealth of useful content like key quotations, revision tasks and vital study tips thatll help you revise, remember and recall all the most important information. The widest coverage and the best, most in-depth analysis of characters, themes, language, form, context and style to help you demonstrate an exhaustive understanding of all aspects of the text. York Notes for AS & A2 are also available for these popular The Bloody Chamber(9781447913153) Doctor Faustus(9781447913177) Frankenstein (9781447913214) The Great Gatsby(9781447913207) Macbeth(9781447913146) Othello(9781447913191) WutheringHeights(9781447913184)
- GenresFiction
120 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 3, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I believe I would've enjoyed it more if I had not read it in a classroom setting. The Kite Runner really frustrated me at times, but I feel like anyone can get a lot from this book. Not only does it educate you on the timeline of events in Afghanistan and a good portion of the middle east, but the reader can learn a lot about being a good friend or standing up for what is right.
October 27, 2021
I have read the book by Khaled Hosseini and I like it very much.
March 20, 2025
It’s hard to know where to begin with Kyte Runner. There is a lot going on and so many themes, acceptance, betrayal, class, courage, cowardice, cruelty, culture, devastation, doubt, forgiveness, friendship, guilt, humanity, lies, longing, love, loyalty, prejudice, redemption, religion, secrets, selfishness, suicide, survival, violence, war, weakness etc. Khaled Hosseini throws every message in there. It involves a pretty wide range of emotions as well and some graphic descriptions of rape, murder, beatings, and suicide.
The story pretty much revolves around Amir. It starts in war-torn Afghanistan in the 70’s with him as a 12-year-old boy playing with kites and other things with his friend and the son of the help, Hassan. After the Taliban take over his family moves to Pakistan. It ends with him as a married adult in the US in the 90’s. As a backdrop it brings up events during this time like the Russia invasion to the Taliban take over, the Cold War and 9/11.
As I said, the boys are really into flying kites or at least Amir is. Hassan’s job is to retrieve the kite. Every year there is a kite contest that Amir really wants to win. There is an interesting dynamic to their friendship. They both genuinely seem to care for each other, but they both know their place in society. Unfortunately, the help seems to be conditioned to be servile. Amir is a little cruel to Hassan, but you can still see that in his own childish conditioned way he does care for him. It just took him maturing to understand that. I don’t really blame him completely for this superior attitude. These were just children who were at the mercy of adults. All countries have a certain type of class system, although some are more obvious than others. We’ve read many books and have seen many movies where people of different classes form a bond. Usually, the privileged character has some introspection.
Some may think that the author goes too easy on Amir and makes him just as much of a sympathetic character as Hassan. It may seem like that on the surface, but I think he’s pointing out how complex people and situations can be. Amir is very different than his father and feels like his father doesn’t respect him. That and the fact that his mother died while giving birth to him has kept them from forming a bond. He’s jealous of his father’s relationship with Hassan, this may be why he is sometimes cruel to Hassan and ultimately drives him and his father Ali to leave.
One of Amir and Hassan’s bullies is Taliban. He has blonde hair and blue eyes which probably plays a part in him being so monstrous. This is a kid who didn’t feel like he belonged because he looked different, so he tried too hard to be tough.
Amir’s father tells him that the only true sin is theft. Amir argues isn’t murder or lieing a sin and the father says, "When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal a wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. There is no act more wretched than stealing." It may be a little over-simplified, but it resonated with me.
I’ve read some reviews on this book, and they are pretty polarized. Some people complain that it’s too westernized. Khaled Hosseini is an America-Afghan. It has the feeling of being inspired by some actual events in his life. Although it revolves around Muslins and Afghanis, it’s written through a pretty western view, which may put some people off, but I think as an American myself, I was able to relate to a lot of the universal messages in it. Take that for what you will.
The story pretty much revolves around Amir. It starts in war-torn Afghanistan in the 70’s with him as a 12-year-old boy playing with kites and other things with his friend and the son of the help, Hassan. After the Taliban take over his family moves to Pakistan. It ends with him as a married adult in the US in the 90’s. As a backdrop it brings up events during this time like the Russia invasion to the Taliban take over, the Cold War and 9/11.
As I said, the boys are really into flying kites or at least Amir is. Hassan’s job is to retrieve the kite. Every year there is a kite contest that Amir really wants to win. There is an interesting dynamic to their friendship. They both genuinely seem to care for each other, but they both know their place in society. Unfortunately, the help seems to be conditioned to be servile. Amir is a little cruel to Hassan, but you can still see that in his own childish conditioned way he does care for him. It just took him maturing to understand that. I don’t really blame him completely for this superior attitude. These were just children who were at the mercy of adults. All countries have a certain type of class system, although some are more obvious than others. We’ve read many books and have seen many movies where people of different classes form a bond. Usually, the privileged character has some introspection.
Some may think that the author goes too easy on Amir and makes him just as much of a sympathetic character as Hassan. It may seem like that on the surface, but I think he’s pointing out how complex people and situations can be. Amir is very different than his father and feels like his father doesn’t respect him. That and the fact that his mother died while giving birth to him has kept them from forming a bond. He’s jealous of his father’s relationship with Hassan, this may be why he is sometimes cruel to Hassan and ultimately drives him and his father Ali to leave.
One of Amir and Hassan’s bullies is Taliban. He has blonde hair and blue eyes which probably plays a part in him being so monstrous. This is a kid who didn’t feel like he belonged because he looked different, so he tried too hard to be tough.
Amir’s father tells him that the only true sin is theft. Amir argues isn’t murder or lieing a sin and the father says, "When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal a wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. There is no act more wretched than stealing." It may be a little over-simplified, but it resonated with me.
I’ve read some reviews on this book, and they are pretty polarized. Some people complain that it’s too westernized. Khaled Hosseini is an America-Afghan. It has the feeling of being inspired by some actual events in his life. Although it revolves around Muslins and Afghanis, it’s written through a pretty western view, which may put some people off, but I think as an American myself, I was able to relate to a lot of the universal messages in it. Take that for what you will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2024
This book was a very nice change of pace, i usually read fantasy but this book was a history book that I liked which is a pretty big deal for me. This book at everything, it had a main character who progressed through trials of his own personal worth, it had redemption as well as a sort of revenge for had happened previously. Another thing that I like about this book is the adding of loss, some books just are happy good books that do not really show how life really is, but this book is completely different showing how your life can change in a split second. This book also shows how just one mistake in your life can lead to a significant impact in your life as you progress through life. So that is why this book is fantastic talking about life while also providing insight on somebody's life that is not your own which can be a pleasant change of pace while also providing you with perspective which is a thing a lot of people need in their life.
December 19, 2025
The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini is a very powerful and emotional novel that dives deep into friendship, guilt, and redemption. the story follows Amir, a boy growing up in Kabul, whos desire for his fathers recognition drives him to make a devestating choice that not only affects his life but his dear friend Hassan. What I find that makes this novel so impactful is how realistic and flawed the characters are. Amirs mistakes feel human and his journey towards redemption is painful but so meaningful. The author does an amazing job showing how the past never truly dissapears and how guilt can really shape a person for years. the novel also really shows Afghan culture and the affects of war. overall this story isn't an easy read but also deeply moving and a believe it is a novel that stays with you long after you finish it, reminding readers that redemption is possible, but only if we are willing to face our past mistakes.
December 19, 2023
When I started this book I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it. The names were hard to pronounce and I was having a hard time connecting and engaging with the book. But as time went on I started to connect more with the plot of the book. At the beginning I saw Amir to be a pathetic little boy who wouldn't amount to anything and was just overly scared to do any task he was faced with. But as time went on, I started to see him go through challenges and hard times that made him grow as a person. This in fact was one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much. I got to see the character development take place and watched him grow throughout his life. Overall, "The Kite Runner", is an interesting exploration of a crazy life experience, showing me, the reader to reflect on past experiences and make grow from them.
December 20, 2024
The Kite Runner Is such a good story. I love what it teaches you about friendship and forgivness. Its set in Afghanistan really intrigued me and got me to continue reading since I dont know much about them and their culture. The book had me continually engaged and was constantly shocking me. As sad as the book was it was so good and made me love the story so much. You get to know the characters so well and understand what they are going through. The story taught me so much about how to let go and forgive and also many other life lessons. The story is easy to read and gives a good look into the Afghan culture. Its a powerful book about making mistakes and finding redemption. And paying it forward in one way or another. The kite runner was a memorable read.
September 16, 2024
The writing in this novel created a truly captivating voice full of emotional turmoil. The voice sucks you in and makes this novel a page turner as you want to continue to follow the boys' innocence and growth as characters throughout the novel.
March 13, 2020
Excellent
October 18, 2020
Very good.
November 28, 2023
Ending felt incomplete and rushed. It was very good due to its character complexity and plot though!
January 4, 2024
This was an amazing book, I borrowed a copy from my local library and shed tears directly over the pages, which was impressive! It's a good read and made me feel very emotional.
May 23, 2025
this was the most heart-touching novel I have read in my whole life, I honestly cried while reading the whole story.
September 6, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book .It made me smile and Although cry .plus It was really interesting I hope others would like it .
November 17, 2014
A human story of loyalty, love and forgiveness; a history lesson with an insight to life in Afghanistan and the effect of the Taliban. Beautifully crafted!
The reader will be better for having experienced this book. It was also made into a movie.
The reader will be better for having experienced this book. It was also made into a movie.
March 16, 2016
It's amazing, it's devastating, it's fluidic, it's poetic. Paints a whole new level of emotions and human relations, redefines friendship.
It elaborates how people never err; it is the circumstances which force them to commit mistakes.
It elaborates how people never err; it is the circumstances which force them to commit mistakes.
January 1, 2017
Heart wrenching, joyful, tearful, triumphant, mournful, memorable...and more! Five stars is not enough for this story, masterfully written and read to pull the reader in and able to feel and see the tale first hand. Bravo.
February 24, 2015
This book takes the reader through a strong factual emotional journey. A must read.
September 1, 2016
very interesting novel about Afghanistan, immigrants, feeling disapproval from a father, fear causing mistakes and courage fixing them
September 14, 2014
Excellent book... One of the best I've read.
April 18, 2015
Tissues needed!
March 26, 2015
ANOTER MUST READ
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews