"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini Discussion Questions

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a powerful novel that explores sin, redemption, love, friendship, and suffering. The book is set mostly in Afganistan and the United States. The book also explores the changes in Afganistan from the fall of the Monarchy to the fall of the Taliban. It follows the lives of two best friends as global politics and family drama come together to shape their destiny. The main character, Amir, is forced to leave his home because of the Soviet military invasion. Because of this, the reader is given a glimpse into the Muslim American immigrant experience.

Hosseini considers the story to be the tale of a father and son, though most readers focus on the relationship between the two brothers. An unimaginable childhood trauma will set off a chain reaction of events that will forever change both the boys' lives. Use these discussion questions to lead your book club or literature circle into the depths of The Kite Runner.

Spoiler Warning: These questions may reveal important details about The Kite Runner. Finish the book before reading on.

Literature Circle Questions About The Kite Runner

1. What did The Kite Runner teach you about Afghanistan? About friendship? About forgiveness, redemption, and love?
2. Who suffers the most in The Kite Runner?
3. How does the turmoil between Amir and Hassan mirror the tumultuous history of Afghanistan?
4. Were you surprised to learn about the racial tension between the Pashtuns and Hazaras in Afghanistan? Can you think of any culture in the world without a history of oppression? Why do you think minority groups are oppressed so often?
5. What does the title mean? Do you think the kite running was meant to symbolize anything? If so, what? 
6. Do you think Amir is the only character who feels guilty for their past actions? Do you think Baba had regrets about how he treated his sons? 
7. What did you like about Baba? Dislike about him? How was he different in the U.S. than in Afghanistan? Did he love Amir?
8. How did learning that Hassan was Baba's son change your understanding of Baba?
9. How does learning about Hassan's heritage change how Amir views himself and his past?
10. Why did Amir act so hatefully toward Hassan after he saw him get raped? Why did Hassan still love Amir?
11. Did Amir ever redeem himself? Why or why not? Do you think redemption is ever possible? 
12. How is sexual violence used in the book? 
13. What do you think happened to Sohrab?
14. Did the book change your feelings on immigration? Why or why not? Which parts of the immigrant experience seemed the hardest to you?
15. What did you think of the portrayal of women in the book? Did it bother you that there were so few female characters? 
16. Rate The Kite Runner on a scale of one to five.
17. How do you think the characters fair after the story ends? Do you think healing is possible for such scarred people?