Provides an extraordinary perspective on the struggles of a country that, until that doleful September day, had been for too long ignored or misunderstood. And despite its grimmer episodes, the novel ends with a note of optimism about Afghanistan's future, an optimism that the whole world would prefer to see unspoiled.

Here's a real find: a striking debut from an Afghan now living in the U.S. His passionate story of betrayal and redemption is framed by Afghanistan's tragic recent past Rather than settle for a coming-of-age or travails-of-immigrant story, Hosseini has folded them both into this searing spectacle of hardwon personal salvation. All this, and a rich slice of Afghan culture too: irresistible.  

Provides a vivid glimpse of life in Afghanistan over the past quarter century. The characters of Amir and his father, their relationships, and the relationship of Hassan and Amir are all carefully and convincingly described and developed. Hosseini,now a doctor in California, is possibly the only Afghan author writing in English, and his first novel is recommended.