Goodreads The Kite Runner is a 2003 debut novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini that tells the story of Amir, a boy from Kabul, and his complex relationship with Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The novel is a historical fiction and coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of Afghanistan's tumultuous history, including the fall of the monarchy, the Soviet invasion, and the rise of the Taliban. It explores themes of friendship, betrayal, guilt, and redemption, and has been praised for its emotional impact and its portrayal of Afghan culture