Bookclub-in-a-Box Discusses Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner

Book excerpt: The Kite Runner has the distinction of being the first English-language fiction written about Afghanistan, by Khaled Hosseini, a former Afghan doctor who fled his native country in 1980 as it became immersed in civil war. The novel tells of the relationship of two boys who are born, live, and play side by side, yet there is no equality in their connection. Hosseini takes his story through three decades, which include communism and Soviet occupation, as well as the arrival of the Mujahideen and the reign of terror that followed. Bookclub-in-a-Box will review and examine the following topics: • The complex relationship of Amir and Hassan, especially juxtaposed against the political and cultural backdrop of their times. • Through the relationship of the two boys with each other and with others, the reader will reflect on how those personal and political realities can be intertwined. There will be references to the concepts of "master" and "bully." • The images of the kite and the kite runner are appropriate symbols for Afghanistan and will be considered in that light. Readers will be inspired to seek out other metaphors in this rich novel. • Afghanistan has been forever changed by its different masters, for example, the Russians and the Taliban. • Examine the devastation of Afghanistan, as portrayed in the lives of the novel's characters, and to see and understand the kind of human suffering that occurred behind the newspaper headlines. Every Bookclub-in-a-Box discussion guide includes complete coverage of the themes and symbols, writing style, and interesting background information on the novel and the author. See the website (www.bookclubinabox.com) for our complete line of Bookclub-in-a-Box discussion guides