There is disapproval and disgust but also empathy and optimism in equal measure.

I also appreciate the fact that he has a balanced perspective to his writing where on one hand he exposes the political turmoil, the regressive ideologies and hypocrisy of his countrymen and the atrocities committed in his homeland while still tapping into the universal nature of humanity and paying homage to his culture. His evocative prose makes it easy for the reader to teleport into his world and connect with his characters. He writes with intent which is a great quality for a writer to have. I have noticed that he does not bore the reader with pointless observations or unnecessary characters. I love how he peppers his prose with Afghan terms and phrases which lends a personal touch to the narrative. Family is a recurring central theme of his writing and based on my own cultural background, that really appeals to me. He uses the literary devices of symbolism and imagery exceedingly well. I admire his knack for plot building, character development, foreshadowing and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. But there is one thing I am certain of - based on what I have read so far, I am a staunch fan of Khaled Hosseini’s writing. I enjoyed both of them but I’d say the latter, which is a more ambitious novel, scores slightly higher on my rating probably because it is told from a female perspective and it struck me as more profound and touching. Although The Kite Runner is Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel, I read it after reading his second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Kite runner book