Book Review

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1BOOK
20
© 2007
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REVIEW
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Inc. Psychiatric Nursing

The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini
ISBN: 1-59448-000-1
RiverHead Books (paperback)
May 2004
371 pages
Reviewed by Geraldine S. Pearson, PhD, APRN

This beautifully written debut novel details the story
of two boys in Afghanistan. It begins in the 1970s and
tells the story of Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman,
and his best friend, Hussan, a servant’s son. Although
they were raised in the same household, the boys experi-
ence glaring class differences, especially as they grow up.
As young children they spend their days playing and
flying kites. This idyllic childhood begins to unravel as
the political difficulties in Afghanistan begin to encroach
upon their lives. The end of childhood is also marked by
a brutal assault against Hussan, witnessed by Amir, who
does not intervene. This event haunts Amir throughout
his life, even with the Russian invasion of Afghanistan
after he and his father immigrate to the United States.
Over time, Amir loses his father to cancer, he falls in
love and marries, and begins his career as a novelist.
Then, in a communication with a family friend,
Amir learns that Hussan and his wife have been mur-
dered but that their son, Sohrab, has survived. The last
part of this complex book chronicles his search for this
young boy. It becomes a way for Amir to deal with his
own guilt about Hussan and ultimately forms a story
of redemption and resolution.
This book is an evocative story with many avenues
of interpretation. At its heart the novel is a powerful
descriptor of the beauty inherent in the Afghan culture,
allowing readers a glimpse into childhood prior to the
Russian invasion. Whereas idyllic, it is still realistically
honest about the class differences.
From a psychiatric nursing perspective, this novel
illustrates numerous clinically pertinent themes. Amir’s
exposure to the traumatic assault on his friend, Amir,
haunts him for most of his life and this childhood
event has a powerful impact on his adult decisions
and feelings. Pfefferbaum (2005) notes that symptoms
of post-traumatic stress disorder are mediated by
the event, exposure, and a subjective reaction. This has
definite applicability to Amir. Similarly, Weingarten
(2004) notes that witnessing the effects of political vio-
lence against one generation has a powerful influence on
the functioning of the next generation. Readers of this
novel become painfully aware of Amir’s father’s struggle
to acclimate to the United States. This is related to the
life he has lost in Afghanistan and the change in class.
Another aspect of this book involves the ways that
post-traumatic shame and guilt color and influence
Amir’s life. Complex and pervasive, Amir’s feelings
after he witnesses Hassan’s assault influence later
behaviors, especially as he returns to Afghanistan for
Sohrab. This book is a study of family secrets and their
influence throughout the life cycle.
The Kite Runner is now required reading for all
freshmen entering the University of Texas at Arlington.
It should also be required for any nurse who is likely to
work with an immigrant family whose entry into this
country has been influenced by political violence and
trauma. Pumariega, Rothe, and Pumariega (2005) note
that the United States is a country of immigrants. First-
and second-generation immigrant children are the most
rapidly growing segment of the American population.
Nurses need to understand these unique influences on
functioning and acculturation to the United States.
This is an emotionally painful novel to read. It is
powerfully descriptive on all interpersonal levels,
including the father–son relationship between Amir
and his Baba, the childhood friendship between Amir
and Hassan, and the various relationships detailed in
the book. The novel reads similarly to a memoir, and
Hosseini brings us into the politically chaotic but
beautiful world of Afghanistan and one man’s journey
through guilt and trauma from his childhood.
Author contact: pearsong@psychiatry.uchc.edu, with a copy
to the Editor: poster@uta.edu
References
Pfefferbaum, B. (2005). Aspects of exposure in childhood trauma:
The stressor criterion. In E. Cardena & K. Croyle (Eds.), Acute
reactions to trauma and psychotherapy: A multidisciplinary and inter-
national perspective (pp. 17–26). New York: Haworth Press.
Pumariega, A. J., Rothe, E., & Pumariega, J. B. (2005). Mental health
of immigrants and refugees. Community Mental Health Journal,
41(5), 581–597.
Weingarten, K. (2004). Witnessing the effects of political violence in
families: Mechanisms of intergenerational transmission and clinical
interventions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(1), 45 –59.

66 JCAPN Volume 20, Number 1, February, 2007