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The Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Suns
THE KITE RUNNER
Over five years on the New York Times bestseller list, and published in 55 different languages.
Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to the post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.
Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment
Over five years on the New York Times bestseller list, and published in 55 different languages.
Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to the post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.
Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
107 people are currently reading
2722 people want to read
About the author
Khaled Hosseini
29 books160k followersHosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965. In 1970 Hosseini and his family moved to Iran where his father worked for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tehran. In 1973 Hosseini's family returned to Kabul, and Hosseini's youngest brother was born in July of that year.
In 1976, when Hosseini was 11 years old, Hosseini's father obtained a job in Paris, France, and moved the family there. They were unable to return to Afghanistan because of the Saur Revolution in which the PDPA communist party seized power through a bloody coup in April 1978. Instead, a year after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, in 1980 they sought political asylum in the United States and made their residence in San Jose, California.
Hosseini graduated from Independence High School in San Jose in 1984 and enrolled at Santa Clara University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1988. The following year, he entered the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, where he earned his M.D. in 1993. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1996. He practiced medicine for over ten years, until a year and a half after the release of The Kite Runner.
Hosseini is currently a Goodwill Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He has been working to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan through the Khaled Hosseini Foundation. The concept for the foundation was inspired by the trip to Afghanistan that Hosseini made in 2007 with UNHCR.
He lives in Northern California with his wife, Roya, and their two children (Harris and Farah).
In 1976, when Hosseini was 11 years old, Hosseini's father obtained a job in Paris, France, and moved the family there. They were unable to return to Afghanistan because of the Saur Revolution in which the PDPA communist party seized power through a bloody coup in April 1978. Instead, a year after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, in 1980 they sought political asylum in the United States and made their residence in San Jose, California.
Hosseini graduated from Independence High School in San Jose in 1984 and enrolled at Santa Clara University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1988. The following year, he entered the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, where he earned his M.D. in 1993. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 1996. He practiced medicine for over ten years, until a year and a half after the release of The Kite Runner.
Hosseini is currently a Goodwill Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He has been working to provide humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan through the Khaled Hosseini Foundation. The concept for the foundation was inspired by the trip to Afghanistan that Hosseini made in 2007 with UNHCR.
He lives in Northern California with his wife, Roya, and their two children (Harris and Farah).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
May 5, 2008
I loved both books with all my heart! Both reads are quite psychological from the point of view of several characters within each story.
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January 7, 2013 The Kite Runner is about a powerful kinship between Amir and his friend Hassan in the once peaceful Afghanistan. Hassan is Amir’s father’s servant’s son. Whenever a bully came, Hassan stepped in and stopped it. One day a bully named Assef came and did something so bad to Hassan that he did not come out of his room for months. This caused his father to think there was something wrong with his Amir and his son’s relationship. Because of this, Hassan’s father and Hassan quit being Amir’s servants and left... This was devastating to Amir, as he never saw them again…but he did see Hassan’s son 20 years later. Sohrab was Hassan’s son and was captured by the Taliban. Now as a grown man, Amir returns to Afghanistan to get Sohrab, Hassan’s last family.
In my opinion, this book surpasses five stars. It just has so much detail, which is what I like best about this book. It describes everything in the book so well, so not one moment is boring, which is quite rare for a book. When there is something bad that happens to the character, you want to reach out and console him. In a suspenseful situation, my stomach knots. This book makes one feel as if he is in it I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who like foreign literature.
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In my opinion, this book surpasses five stars. It just has so much detail, which is what I like best about this book. It describes everything in the book so well, so not one moment is boring, which is quite rare for a book. When there is something bad that happens to the character, you want to reach out and console him. In a suspenseful situation, my stomach knots. This book makes one feel as if he is in it I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those who like foreign literature.
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July 2, 2020
Check out my reviews for each book listed on their individual pages.
February 15, 2010
A Thousand Splendid Suns was such an eye opener about women and how they are treated in Afghanistan. I would encourage all women to read this for a better understanding of women in other countries. So sad how a lie and war can change lives.
May 19, 2012
The Kite Runner's 384 pages turned quickly. It's a father-son story, as oppposed to A Thousand Splendid Suns' 384 pages which provide a voice of hope for the women of Afhganistan. Both of these protagonists suffer, suffer, suffer. A Thousand Splendid Suns provides a much darker tale.
May 17, 2008
I had mixed feelings about The Kite Runner. It tells the story of two best friends, and the aftermath of a horrible incident with one. While the book is very well written and provides some insight into the history of Afghanistan, the main character inspires no sympathy, and is a very training reading. A Thousand Splendid Suns on the other hand is one of the best books I have read. It is about two women whose lives are forever binded when they are forced to marry a brutish man. From the beginning of the story Hosseini makes you feel compassion and care for the characters and the ending will leave you wanting more.
Kite Runner= 2 stars
Thousand Splendid Suns= 5 Stars
Kite Runner= 2 stars
Thousand Splendid Suns= 5 Stars
April 27, 2015
Continuing in the vein of The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns relays another of what must be many horrifying stories of the struggle to survive in Afghanistan after the monarchy. It tells in detail about the Soviet takeover and then that of the Taliban, as everyday people try to live in the violence and destruction that surround them. Amidst degradation and suffering, there is a triumph of the human spirit, as two women from different generations bond to support and care for each other. Unbelievable, terrifying, and in many ways more horrific than Kite Runner. It is heartbreaking to think people experience these things today.
March 6, 2015
THE THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS! Best book ever read! :) The letter at end of the story will make one weep. "Fate"- It's a thing no one can change.Real love- It's a thing no one can take away from you.Life and fate cannot be changed. It's the way you see life to be changed. Once you realize this, all happiness and all your dreams will shower upon you vanishing the hardships. kudos to the author! Great book!
July 27, 2020
These are both powerful reads. Both these books chronicle different characters through peaceful Afghanistan to war torn country. I have read and re-read these books few times. These reads are as heart-wrenching to read the second or the third time as they are the first time. Khaled Hosseini is an amazing author. His writing is profound as well as simple at the same time.
5 amazing stars
5 amazing stars
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February 13, 2009I read the hard-backed version I borrowed from the library. Though painful to absorb its stories of cruelty to ordinary people from oppressive regimes, I appreciated the personal story of guilt and the search for forgiveness. Also insightful, is the view of the Afghan immigrant in northern California.
November 13, 2012
After reading this book I actually started understanding and respecting my mother , or may be my grandmother more and more! I must say that the author could see through the heart of these women very honestly! His women are so real, the society is so very much true... A very much worth read.
March 25, 2023
Great book,full of ironical situations.
September 27, 2012
3 stelle per "Il cacciatore di aquiloni".
Primo romanzo di Hosseini. Carino, storia a
tratti commovente. Mi aspettavo qualcosa
di più, ma nel complesso è stata una
piacevole lettura. =)
4 stelle per "Mille splendidi soli".
Molto più bello questo secondo lavoro
dell'autore! Storia bellissima!!! Lo consiglio
molto di più del primo! Merita davvero.
Primo romanzo di Hosseini. Carino, storia a
tratti commovente. Mi aspettavo qualcosa
di più, ma nel complesso è stata una
piacevole lettura. =)
4 stelle per "Mille splendidi soli".
Molto più bello questo secondo lavoro
dell'autore! Storia bellissima!!! Lo consiglio
molto di più del primo! Merita davvero.
January 30, 2015
I read these books some time ago, around the time first published and loved them. I think I'd like to read A Thousand Setting Suns again. The lives of Muslim women are so compelling, so miserably different than American women that I find I want to know more.
Read
July 17, 2016ভাগ্য দেবী সহায়, নাহলে কোনদিন ইংলিশ নামক ভাষাটায় নুন্যতম দক্ষতাটা হতো না হয়ত, আসলে আমি বলতে চাইছি আমি মুগ্ধতা গ্রাস করেছে; এমন সাবলীল বই বাংলায় কি অনুবাদ করা হয়নি? নাকি আমি হাতে পাইনি? সে যাই হোক! সেসব যাই হোক!
February 5, 2014
Khaled such a beautiful description of Afg nd u can realise how tough country tht is specially for women. In splendid suns he narrates story of laliaa and maryam such a terrific style of writing
June 13, 2025
mit das beste Buch dass ich gelesen habe… leider sehr traurige Geschichte über eine grosse Freundschaft zweier Afghanen in untersch. Schichten
June 26, 2018
Imperative reading
Khaled Hosseini confirms his brilliance as an author made in his best selling novel THE KITE RUNNER as one of those first novels that captured both public interest and the hearts of the many who read this story of childhood unconditional love and redemption set against three stormy decades in Afghanistan. With the arrival of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS he is firmly placed in the realm of important communicators in literature, a writer who can offer a complex history of Afghanistan and the wars that have plagued that country for decades by creating characters whose development and interweaving lives provide a profoundly moving story. It is an amazing achievement and for this reader it even surpasses the superb KITE RUNNER.
While THE KITE RUNNER is the story of two devoted childhood friends separated by the caste of society (wealth vs. servant), the setting is such that for the first time we are able to understand the changes that occurred from the 1970s when Afghanistan was under the rule of the king, through Russian occupation, through the heinous rule of the Taliban, to the US entry into the brief war following 911. But this is not primarily a history book: Housseini adroitly uses the cultural aura and the warring background to explore the relationship of the two boys - Amir and Hassan - whose lives are far more intertwined than either would have ever thought.
As kite running happy children, boys who are in the rarefied atmosphere of imagination and dreams and camaraderie, an incident occurs that causes an abrupt schism and leads the cowardly Amir into a distancing from the needy Hassan, an act which eventually separates them as Amir and his wealthy father Baba move to the USA to escape the evils of the Taliban. The guilt that controls Amir's life ultimately drives him back to Afghanistan where he is able to find redemption for his past deeds in a most miraculous way. In the author's words: "Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end, crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan." "I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with the pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
In A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS Hosseini's gift for visual painting with words is comparable to the best of writers: 'She could make out the minarets in the distance, like the dusty fingers of giants...', 'It's the friction of grain against grain', 'She watched the winds stir mutiny in the dust, whipping it into violent spirals whipped through the courtyard' and ultimately the 'poem' praising Kabul that offers the book its title - 'One could not count the moons that shimmers on her roofs/ Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.' Hosseini takes us behind those walls for forty some years of Afghanistan's bloody history and while he does not spare us any of the descriptions of the terror that continues to besiege that country, he does offer us a story that speaks so tenderly about the fragile beauty of love and devotion and lasting impression people make on people. It is a microcosm of mankind, told with the ever-present history of war in the clouds that would try to hide the thousand splendid suns. These books are immensely important, poignantly pertinent to today's Middle East situation and two of the finer novels of recent years. Highly recommended.
Khaled Hosseini confirms his brilliance as an author made in his best selling novel THE KITE RUNNER as one of those first novels that captured both public interest and the hearts of the many who read this story of childhood unconditional love and redemption set against three stormy decades in Afghanistan. With the arrival of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS he is firmly placed in the realm of important communicators in literature, a writer who can offer a complex history of Afghanistan and the wars that have plagued that country for decades by creating characters whose development and interweaving lives provide a profoundly moving story. It is an amazing achievement and for this reader it even surpasses the superb KITE RUNNER.
While THE KITE RUNNER is the story of two devoted childhood friends separated by the caste of society (wealth vs. servant), the setting is such that for the first time we are able to understand the changes that occurred from the 1970s when Afghanistan was under the rule of the king, through Russian occupation, through the heinous rule of the Taliban, to the US entry into the brief war following 911. But this is not primarily a history book: Housseini adroitly uses the cultural aura and the warring background to explore the relationship of the two boys - Amir and Hassan - whose lives are far more intertwined than either would have ever thought.
As kite running happy children, boys who are in the rarefied atmosphere of imagination and dreams and camaraderie, an incident occurs that causes an abrupt schism and leads the cowardly Amir into a distancing from the needy Hassan, an act which eventually separates them as Amir and his wealthy father Baba move to the USA to escape the evils of the Taliban. The guilt that controls Amir's life ultimately drives him back to Afghanistan where he is able to find redemption for his past deeds in a most miraculous way. In the author's words: "Life goes on, unmindful of beginning, end, crisis or catharsis, moving forward like a slow, dusty caravan." "I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with the pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
In A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS Hosseini's gift for visual painting with words is comparable to the best of writers: 'She could make out the minarets in the distance, like the dusty fingers of giants...', 'It's the friction of grain against grain', 'She watched the winds stir mutiny in the dust, whipping it into violent spirals whipped through the courtyard' and ultimately the 'poem' praising Kabul that offers the book its title - 'One could not count the moons that shimmers on her roofs/ Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.' Hosseini takes us behind those walls for forty some years of Afghanistan's bloody history and while he does not spare us any of the descriptions of the terror that continues to besiege that country, he does offer us a story that speaks so tenderly about the fragile beauty of love and devotion and lasting impression people make on people. It is a microcosm of mankind, told with the ever-present history of war in the clouds that would try to hide the thousand splendid suns. These books are immensely important, poignantly pertinent to today's Middle East situation and two of the finer novels of recent years. Highly recommended.
August 22, 2020
A devastating masterful and painfully honest story of life crippled by an act of childhood and cowardice and cruelty. It speaks the harrowing truth about the power of evil, personal and political, and intoxicates, like a high-flying kite, with the power of hope.
The kite runner is based in a war torn Afghanistan. Story of two friends, Hassan and Amir, Hassan the devoted, loyal, honest one and Amir the one rooted in unsure grounds, with a conflicted soul.
The book makes you see Afghanistan as more than just a war torn country. It makes you see Afghanistan for what it was, what it is, and what it could have been. It also establishes an uncanny kinship with Afghanistan , and portrays it as a living, breathing and healing individual.
As for the characters, Hosseini has a beautiful and unprecedented way of giving them life. The characters of the book remains with you long after finishing it and they are hard to forget, which again shows Hosseini's potential. As a debut, Khaled Hosseini has done a great and beautiful job. He is a master storyteller and knows his craft too well. With this novel he has set a benchmark against which the upcoming debuts of other authors can be analysied.
Khaled Hosseini also has an unique ability to break your heart and leave you smiling.
This book deserves 11 out of 10
The kite runner is based in a war torn Afghanistan. Story of two friends, Hassan and Amir, Hassan the devoted, loyal, honest one and Amir the one rooted in unsure grounds, with a conflicted soul.
The book makes you see Afghanistan as more than just a war torn country. It makes you see Afghanistan for what it was, what it is, and what it could have been. It also establishes an uncanny kinship with Afghanistan , and portrays it as a living, breathing and healing individual.
As for the characters, Hosseini has a beautiful and unprecedented way of giving them life. The characters of the book remains with you long after finishing it and they are hard to forget, which again shows Hosseini's potential. As a debut, Khaled Hosseini has done a great and beautiful job. He is a master storyteller and knows his craft too well. With this novel he has set a benchmark against which the upcoming debuts of other authors can be analysied.
Khaled Hosseini also has an unique ability to break your heart and leave you smiling.
This book deserves 11 out of 10
October 6, 2020
A very heart touching story about atonement of past sin, Afganistan history, and how ethenic clashing can damage whole generations.I have read a previous book by the author which was "A Thousand Splendid Suns". This book has a similar tone to it. This book follows the relationship between a father-son and a Hazra childhood best friend of the son. This story evolves in Afganistan where Afghanistan was divided into different ethnic groups like Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks. The fall of the Afgan royal family and then the oppression of the Taleban regime were reflected in the story and how the Afghani peoples had to take refuge in Pakistan, USA, and other countries. The story also shows how that time Afan had many children but had very little childhood. The sheer animosity of the Taleban's toward the country people which had a server impact on the children that time was also expressed. The ending was pleasing to see how the son, Amir finally could redeem himself by at least saving his best friend's son.
August 21, 2022
"توی کولاک گم شدم! باد زوزه می کشد پوره های سرد برف را توی چشم هایم می پاشد. در میان سرما و بوران پاهایم به سختی جلو می رود. سعی می کنم با فریاد زدن به دنبال کمک باشم اما باد فریادهای مرا قورت می دهد و صدایم به کسی نمی رسد. احساس می کنم بین سفیدی برف گم شده ام و دیگر راه نجاتی ندارم این حس با صدای نعره باد در گوشم به کابوسی که به زودی اتفاق می افتد تبدیل می شود. باد حتی رد پاهایم را پاک می کند و حالا مانند شبحی شده ام که هیچ ردپایی از خود جای نگذاشته است. دوباره فریاد می زنم محکم تر از دفعه قبل اما این بار امید هم مانند ردپایم پاک می شود. یکدفعه صدای ضعیفی به گوشم آشنا می آید. دستم را سپر چشم هایم می کنم و به هر دردسری شده سعی می کنم بنشینم، نگاه می کنم کم کم رنگ ها برایم مشخص می شود و دستی به رویم دراز می شود کف آن دست بریدگی های عمیقی دارد و خون از رگ هایش به روی برف ها سرازیر می شود. آن دست را محکم می گیرم و بلند می شوم. ناگهان دیگر برفی در کار نیست و من در در یک سرزمین سبز رنگ ایستاده ام در سرزمینی که از برف و سرما خبری نیست! آسمان پر است از بادبادک های رنگی که در روشنایی آفتاب می درخشند."
August 28, 2018
Can anybody offer me something similar? I mean Middle Eastern and its surrounding countries war/conflict related literature. I have heard about some but I would like to hear personal suggestions.
And about the books, I am speachless. It has been a long time since I read a book that brought so many emotions out of me.
And about the books, I am speachless. It has been a long time since I read a book that brought so many emotions out of me.
July 20, 2020
The kite runner, a masterpiece by Khaled Hosseini.
it is written in such a way that you'll feel like sitting in a theater and different scene are running in front of your eyes. Writing skill was really adorable. This book took you to the ground reality. Several times it's a breathtaking. After all **LIFE GOES ON**
it is written in such a way that you'll feel like sitting in a theater and different scene are running in front of your eyes. Writing skill was really adorable. This book took you to the ground reality. Several times it's a breathtaking. After all **LIFE GOES ON**
December 23, 2020
Wow. Such an emotional, heartbreaking read. This book really made me grateful for everything and everyone I have in my life. I was gobsmacked by the situations the characters faced in this novel during the war in Afghanistan. Even though it was heartbreaking it was such a gripping book to read. Thank you Khaled Hosseini.
September 10, 2023
A thousand splendid suns has gotta be one the most devasting book I've ever read! The sheer turmoil of emotions i went through was something i never thought I'll experience while reading a book! The relationship between Mariam and Laila was unexpectedly the most beautiful and heartbreaking! I cried a pool of tears and I'd recommend everyone to read it!
October 15, 2023
Mein erstes Werk von Khaled Hosseini und ich bin bereits begeistert von seinem unfassbar detailreichen und ergreifenden Schreibstil. Für mich ein intensives und schmerzhaftes Leseerlebnis bei einem Eintauchen in die afghanische Kultur sowie in den vom Krieg geprägten Alltag armer und reicher Menschen.
March 28, 2024
“For you a thousand times over” me@ this book. 🥰
I’ve read all three books of Khalid Hossaini but this one is my most fav that I can read over and over again. Some parts were beautifully written. The dialogues, the concept, and the end was nicely wrapped. If you want a novel that has mix of every genre and can make u cry, this one is for you. 🤌🏻
I’ve read all three books of Khalid Hossaini but this one is my most fav that I can read over and over again. Some parts were beautifully written. The dialogues, the concept, and the end was nicely wrapped. If you want a novel that has mix of every genre and can make u cry, this one is for you. 🤌🏻
June 3, 2017
The books are splendid. The author describe the playful children's life in the ruins during the Talinan's adventure in the country. Life of women are vividly described how they are treated worst than slaves in their own domain. I highly recommend for readers who wants to know about Afghanistan.
August 30, 2018
Outstanding writer. Ploughed through both books in a matter of days. Both are a brutal revelation of what us westerners have no clue about, the everyday violence and despair in everyday lives. Hosseini's characters will stay with you and you will be drawn back to them way after the last page.
June 26, 2020
The thousand splendid suns shows how fate can connect two different lives and make it one. It tells us how wars can impact people's lives and how a woman has to sacrifice her life to give another a better life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews