Bookshelf: Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner

My sister read this book a couple of years ago, and considering her high recommendations of a book that isn't her usual reading genre, I had to check it out. This book instantly pulls you into the characters, and makes you wonder how in the world you're going to be able to like the lead character, Amir. Hosseini has the talent of doing great enough character development to leave that question in the dust as develop with Amir. Not only that but for those not too familiar with the backdrop of what is happening in Afghanistan beyond America's involvement it's quite educational.

Summary: Amir is best friends with Hassan. Hassan's father is the servant of Amir's father, Baba. At first their friendship is simple. The two live in the same place, and their father's ability to seem on the same level when around other doesn't make them aware of their caste differences. As Amir grows older the bullying regarding their friendship becomes more prominent, Hassan's despised Hazara heritage is beginning to cause a cultural strife in the area. Amir also begins to long more for his father's affection, and it seems that making a sacrifice of his friendship is the only way to get it. What he does causes him regret that lasts him into his adulthood leaving him needing some sort of redemption.