Twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the approval of his father and resolves to win the local kite-fighting tournament, to prove that he has the makings of a man. His loyal friend Hassan promises to help him - for he always helps Amir - but this is 1970s Afghanistan and Hassan is merely a low-caste servant who is jeered at in the street, although Amir feels jealous, of his natural courage and the place he holds in his father's heart. But neither of the boys could foresee what would happen to Hassan on the afternoon of the tournament, which was to shatter their lives. After the Russians invade and .the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return, to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him: redemption.

'A devastating, masterful and painfully honest story" DAILY TELEGRAPH

'Rings true with tenderness and truth. In the sense that Amir is the one who struggles to master -his fatal flaw, he is the hero of the book. But it is Hassan's silent, sacrificial love that will bring the lump to your throat' DAILY MAIL

'Hosseini's ability to reach the core of experiences of love and loss place's him in the company of such fine chroniclers of the new America as Chang-rae Lee ... A novel of unusual generosity, honesty and compassion' INDEPENDENT

'Rich in warmth and humour ... full .of haunting image's ... vivid and engaging' NEW YORK TIMES