The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner is a fictional story about an Afghan man named Amir who immigrated to America with his dad when he was 12, leaving behind the family's beloved servant Ali and his son Hassan, who was just a year younger than Amir.  The two boys grew up playing together and had a very interesting relationship.  Even though it's a work of fiction, the book is filled with what would be normal daily activities in Afghanistan before the Taliban took over, as well as what has likely happened aplenty after they marched in.


I really enjoyed this book.  It is a very intriguing page-turner, with some very emotional parts, and many tragic and horrendous events, and even though the book is fiction you can't help but believe those kinds of injustices really happen over there.   I love reading about Afghani people just to remind myself that they are not all Taliban, not all hateful warmongers. They love their families, they want the best for them, they are kind to beggars and orphans, they feel guilt, they take pleasure in life's simple things, they have a rich culture.  I really enjoyed this look into their lives and what Afghanis think of the Taliban insurgents.  It was interesting to me that at first everyone was joyful at the arrival of the Talibs to rescue them from Russian oppression, but that joy quickly turned to hate and fear.  It just makes you take a different look on what is happening over there even now.