The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner focuses on the life of Amir, a cowardly young boy part of the ruling caste
of Pashtuns, and the son of a wealthy merchant residing in the outskirts of Kabul. At his
side we see Hassan, his servant and best friend who is a member of the Hazara caste, a
cultural group long persecuted in Afghanistan. As Amir tries to meet his fathers demands,
we see the close relationship between the boys diminish, as ethnic and political tensions
arise in Afghanistan. One day, a savage yet preventable attack is bestowed upon Hassan, an
act that could have been prevented had Amir stepped in. Overcome with guilt and shame,
Amir convinces his father to get rid of Hassan and his father, as he finds it almost
impossible to confront them. Upon the beginning on the Soviet invasion, Amir and his
father leave for America, leaving Hassan and his father behind. Years later, Amir is finally
beginning to loose his feeling of guilt when he receives a call from an old friend residing
in Pakistan. The dying wish of this friend requires Amir to go on a mission to Afghanistan,
a mission which will finally allow him to face his demons and overcome his guilt once and
for all.
This book was written by Khaled Hosseini, a 40 year old Afghan American writer. Born in
Kabul, his family moved to France in 1976 where his father worked in a government
position. Hosseinis family was suppose to return to Afghanistan in 1980, but was weary
about the Soviet invasion. Instead, they requested political asylum and moved to the
United States. Hosseini completed medical school at the University of California in 1993
and has kept a job as an internist since. The Kite Runner is loosely based on his life and his
direct experiences with Afghan culture.
Modern World Nations: Afghanistan
Modern World Nations: Afghanistan is an informational text that covers the different
cultural, social, political and historical aspects of the nation. In the book, we learn of the
different racial groups that reside in the country as well as the different conflicts that arise
within them. Different languages are explored such as Dari (a language that derives from
Farsi) and Pashtun, a native language exclusive to Afghanistan and western Pakistan. The
book also shows an in-depth look into the politics of Afghanistan, discussing the fallen
monarchy of the past and the pro-Islamic policies of the Taliban of more recent times. The
