The Kite Runner is the story of Amir, a Sunni Muslim, who struggles to find his place in the world because of the aftereffects and fallout from a series of traumatic childhood events. It tells the extraordinary story of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy Afghan boy and Hassan, the son of his father's servant, who he later finds out, after Hassan's death, has always been his half-brother.

One of the biggest struggles for Amir is learning to navigate the complex socioeconomic culture he faces, growing up in Afghanistan as a member of the privileged class yet not feeling like a privileged member of his own family. Hassan and his father, Ali, are servants, yet at times, Amir's relationship with them is more like that of family members. And Amir's father, Baba, who does not consistently adhere to the tenets of his culture, confuses rather than clarifies things for young Amir. Many of the ruling-class elite in Afghanistan view the world as black and white, yet Amir identifies many shades of grey.

During a crucial episode, which takes place during an important kite flying tournament, Amir decides not to act, he decides not to confront bullies and aggressors when he has the chance, and this conscious choice of inaction sets off a chain reaction that leads to guilt, lies, and betrayals.

Eventually, because of the changing political climate, Amir and his father are forced to flee Afghanistan. Amir views coming to America as an opportunity to leave his past behind. Although Amir and Baba toil to create a new life for themselves in the United States, the past is unable to stay buried. When it rears its ugly head, Amir is forced to return to his homeland to face the demons and decisions of his youth, with only a slim hope to make amends.

The Kite Runner tells a sweeping story of family, love, and friendship against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before.