The Kite Runner Book Cover

The Kite Runner

A Story of Betrayal and Redemption

Brief summary

The Kite Runner is an emotional roller coaster. It is gripping in the best ways possible. It tells the story of Amir and his ‘baba’ in the town of Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir is good friends with another boy called Hassan who lives with them despite belonging to a tribe that’s a minority in Kabul. They consider themselves to be masters in the art of kite flying and try harder than ever to win the local kite flying competition that year. Symbolically, the kites in the sky are just metaphors for the tumultuous situation that Afghanistan would soon be in. As young individuals who don’t know much about the world, we often commit certain acts that we regret when we grow up. Amir commits an act of supreme betrayal against his best-friend, the one who stood beside him through thick and thin, Hassan. This fast paced and hard hitting story finds a great balance between being powerful and spotlessly clear. Despite the dark personal choices that Amir makes early on in the book, the ending leaves a scope for something better and hopeful for the characters.

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Lesson 1. An introduction to Kabul and the two young boys. 

The first few chapters of the novel are dedicated to details about the boys, Amir and Hassan. It recalls a story of their past in Kabul, Afghanistan, flying kites, reflecting sunlight into a neighbor’s window and getting up to every sort of mischief. Both the boys lived with their fathers, Amir’s mother died giving birth to him and Hassan’s mother ran away after giving birth to him. 

Amir recalls the memories of his father, he recalls how ‘baba’ did all the things everyone said he couldn’t do. He never had a business sense, yet he was one of the most successful businessmen in Kabul. He built an orphanage despite not being an architect, he married into the royal bloodline and also wrestled a bear. Amir always looked up to him and wanted to be like him at every opportunity. Although he rarely succeeds in being like his father, he keeps on trying despite all odds. Amir is a sensitive little boy who feels responsible for his mother’s death, who cries when a rider gets trampled during a game. Baba is scared for him and is afraid that Amir would never be able to stand up for himself or what he believes in because of his gentle and sensitive nature.

These chapters establish the primary characters and their backgrounds. It gives the readers a clear picture of the characters in the novel and their relationships with each other. The novel is set in the past, as Amir, now an adult in the United States looks back on his childhood days in Kabul. His past has shaped him to be who he is and carries a recurring guilt deep in his heart. History is an important theme in the story and the story is primarily set in the past, however in the latter half of the book it oscillates between the past and the present. 

We get to know the personalities of the characters and it truly feels like they are people we might have known in real life. Hosseini goes into depth about the characters and the traits that they embody. We get to know that Amir is a sensitive and bookish boy who always looks up to Baba and always strives for his approval in all that he does in life. Hassan, on the other hand, is loyal and courageous. However, he has his own bouts of vulnerability. Both the young boys are motherless and only have their fathers and each other in their lives. The economic divide in the book is well pronounced as on one hand, we see Amir

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Famous quotes from The Kite Runner

  1. “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up to anything.”
  2. -Khaled Hosseini
  3. That was a long time ago, but it’s wrong what they say about the past, I’ve learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.
  4. -Khaled Hosseini
  5. Huddled together in the dining room and waiting for the sun to rise, none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended.
  6. -Khaled Hosseini
  7. My body was broken—just how badly I wouldn’t find out until later—but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed.
  8. -Khaled Hosseini
  9. I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t. I just watched. Paralyzed.
  10. -Khaled Hosseini
  11. You’ve always been a tourist here, you just didn’t know it.
  12. -Khaled Hosseini
  13. Not a word passes between us, not because we have nothing to say, but because we don’t have to say anything
  14. -Khaled Hosseini
  15. Children aren’t coloring books. You don’t get to fill them with your favorite colors.
  16. -Khaled Hosseini
  17. It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime.
  18. -Khaled Hosseini
  19. But I hope you will heed this: A man who has no conscience, no goodness, does not suffer.
  20. -Khaled Hosseini
  21. For me America was a place to bury memories. For Baba a place to mourn his.
  22. -Khaled Hosseini
  23. I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.
  24. -Khaled Hosseini

Reviews for Summary of The Kite Runner

5.0
Vote: 2
Rahmani suli
June 11, 2024
"The Kite Runner" is a powerful and emotionally gripping story that delves into the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the pursuit of redemption. Khaled Hosseini's writing is both haunting and beautiful, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.
Swati Anand
May 23, 2024
The Kite Runner is a remarkable novel that left an indelible mark on my heart. It is a powerful exploration of the human spirit, filled with unforgettable characters and a narrative that stays with you long after you turn the final page. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

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About the author

Khaled Hosseini Image

Khaled Hosseini, the Afghan-American novelist and UNHCR goodwill ambassador, transitioned from a medical career to become a literary sensation. Born in Kabul, his family sought asylum in the U.S. in 1980. Hosseini’s debut, “The Kite Runner,&#822...

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Published Year: 2003
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Chapter List
  • Lesson 1. An introduction to Kabul and the two young boys. 
  • Lesson 2. A walk down memory lane and the political unrest in Kabul.
  • Lesson 3. The kite-flying competition and Amir’s struggle to do what is right. 
  • Lesson 4. A fresh start away from a life of guilt and grief.
  • Lesson 5. Visiting an old friend and confronting the demons of the past. 
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FAQs

In the summary of The Kite Runner book, there are 5 key lessons. These lessons include:

  1. Lesson 1. An introduction to Kabul and the two young boys. 
  2. Lesson 2. A walk down memory lane and the political unrest in Kabul.
  3. Lesson 3. The kite-flying competition and Amir’s struggle to do what is right. 
  4. Lesson 4. A fresh start away from a life of guilt and grief.
  5. Lesson 5. Visiting an old friend and confronting the demons of the past. 

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was published in 2003.

Once you've completed The Kite Runner book, We suggest reading out 1984 as a great follow-up read.

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In the printed version of The Kite Runner book have over 300 pages and usually takes 8-10 days to finish. However, with the Wizdom app, including its summary and audiobook, it can be completed in just 15 minutes.

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