Kite Runner was one of the best books I have ever read. This story pulled me in; it was hard to put the book down. It can be difficult for me to become this absorbed in a story set in an unfamiliar culture. Who would have ever thought that I would ever read this kind of a …more book? However, this book is so well written, that I had no problem relating to the characters or understanding it. At times, the violence was very disturbing. I would caution young readers and anyone with a trauma history due to the violence. Other than those difficult parts, I enjoyed the rest of the story and would probably read it again. During the reading I learned and understood more about Afghan culture & contemporary events there. The main plot centers on two boys who grow up together and brings in the important parts of: striving for parental approval, competition, family secrets, abandonment, disappointment, personal failings, racism, war, and poverty, strength of character, aging, illness, injury & personal growth. The biggest disappointment would have been the way a marriage relationship is not developed, & the female character undeveloped. In this instance, the entire story is from a male perspective, & females are nearly nonexistent, kind of like the Taliban’s women. The main characters wife is not really mentioned, only when they can’t get a child, and when he calls her every once and a while. I would read this book again and maybe some more of the author’s books. It was a great read. (less)