The Kite Runner is a novel by Khaled Hosseini that follows the friendship of two boys in Afghanistan, Amir, and Hassan. It takes place in both Afghanistan and California during a period of time that spans from the 1970s until the early 21st century.
The setting of The Kite Runner is the tumultuous period just before and after the Saur Revolution in Afghanistan, a time when Afghanistan experienced great upheaval as a result of conflicts with Western countries, the rise of communist ideas, and the Soviet-Afghan War. With this war came a new regime, The Taliban, which ruled from 1996 until 2001. This regime was known for its strict rules such as forbidding all forms of entertainment for women and children, such as television and music. It also forbade women to leave their homes without being accompanied by a male family member or husband. This era was marked by violence against women who were not abiding by these rules.
The story is mostly set in Kabul during this period. Amir’s father, Baba, has been an influential figure in Kabul society for many years. He is a wealthy man who owns several shops and lives with his four sons and their families in a large house. Hassan is one of the many servants working for the family and he has worked for them for several years.
