The Kite Runner
Hosseini's debut novel and the clearest chronological entry point to his fiction.
Author guide
Khaled Hosseini Books in Order
Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965 and moved with his family to the United States in 1980 after they were granted political asylum. He earned a biology degree from Santa Clara University and a medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and practiced internal medicine before becoming a full-time writer. His debut novel, The Kite Runner, was published in 2003, followed by A Thousand Splendid Suns, And the Mountains Echoed, The Kite Runner Graphic Novel, and Sea Prayer. His books have been translated into numerous languages and published internationally. Hosseini was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2006 and founded the Khaled Hosseini Foundation, which provides humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
literary fictionhistorical fictiongraphic novelsillustrated fictionshort fiction
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Novels (4)
- The Kite Runner
novel · 2003
"Caught in the tragic sweep of history, The Kite Runner transports readers to Afghanistan at a tense and crucial moment of change and destruction. A powerful story of friendship, it is also about the power of reading, the price of…
- A Thousand Splendid Suns
novel · 2007
"Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as…
- The Kite Runner Graphic Novel
graphic novel · 2011
The perennial bestseller-now available as a sensational new graphic novel. Since its publication in 2003, nearly 7 million readers have discovered The Kite Runner. Through Khaled Hosseini's brilliant writing, a previously unknown part of…
- And the Mountains Echoed
novel · 2013
Presents a story inspired by human love, how people take care of one another, and how choices resonate through subsequent generations. Afghanistan, 1952. Abdullah and his sister Pari live with their father and step-mother in the small…
Short fiction (1)
- Sea Prayer
illustrated short story · 2018
Sea Prayer is composed in the form of a letter, from a father to his son, on the eve of their journey. Watching over his sleeping son, the father reflects on the dangerous sea-crossing that lies before them. It is also a vivid portrait of…
Frequently asked questions about Khaled Hosseini
Who is Khaled Hosseini, and what is he known for?
Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American novelist and former physician known for fiction centered on Afghanistan, family, conflict, displacement, and resilience. His debut novel launched his international literary career.
Sources: khaledhosseini.com (opens in a new tab)penguinrandomhouse.com (opens in a new tab)
Where was Khaled Hosseini born, and when did he move to the United States?
He was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1965. After his family sought political asylum following the Soviet invasion, they moved to San Jose, California, in September 1980.
Sources: khaledhosseini.com (opens in a new tab)unhcr.org (opens in a new tab)
Was Khaled Hosseini a doctor before becoming a full-time writer?
Yes. He earned a biology degree from Santa Clara University, received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego, and practiced internal medicine from 1996 to 2004 before writing full time.
How did Afghanistan and his refugee experience influence Khaled Hosseini’s writing?
His Afghan upbringing and experience of forced migration shaped his recurring attention to war, displacement, family, and the lives of refugees. UNHCR describes him as drawing on his personal history of displacement to build empathy for people forced to flee their homes.
Sources: khaledhosseini.com (opens in a new tab)unhcr.org (opens in a new tab)
What is Khaled Hosseini’s humanitarian legacy?
He was appointed a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2006 and has advocated for refugees through field visits and public campaigns. He also founded the Khaled Hosseini Foundation, which supports humanitarian relief, shelter, women’s economic opportunities, and healthcare and education for children in Afghanistan.
Sources: unhcr.org (opens in a new tab)khaledhosseinifoundation.org (opens in a new tab)