Words cannot truly communicate how I feel about this book. Hosseini did a fantastic job with this piece--so much so that I could not accept that it’s fiction. Largely taking place in Afghanistan, we see little Amir’s ups and downs in life--from his relationships with his father to the power dynamic between him and his family servant (aka his best friend). They frequently participated in the annual kite-flying tournaments--Amir was the kite flier while Hassan was the kite runner.
One year, Amir witnessed Hassan being harassed but chose not to intervene nor stand up for his friend. That choice haunted him to adulthood. This story combines history with emotion, in such a beautiful way that the only true way to experience it is to read it yourself. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy Alan Gratz books as they parallel first story narratives that are both so emotional, yet inspiring. It also reminds me of The Book Thief in that they both take place in well-known, historical events that deserve a zoomed-in perspective.