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| The Kite Runner Illustrated Edition | 
 enlarge | Author: Khaled Hosseini
Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $17.65
You Save: $12.30 (41%)
New (28) Used (15) Collectible (5) from $14.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 19401
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Ill
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 1594489602
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9781594489600
ASIN: 1594489602
Publication Date: October 4, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Absolutely Brand New & In Stock. 100% 30-Day Money Back. Direct from our warehouse. Ships by USPS. 1+ million customers served-In business since 1986. Happy Customers is Our #1 Goal. Toll Free Support
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Product Description
A deluxe collector's edition of the phenomenally bestselling The Kite Runner, filled with striking and memorable photographs that bring Khaled Hosseini's compelling story to life.
Since its publication in 2003, The Kite Runner has shipped over four million copies and spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list. Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy through the horrific rule of the Taliban, The Kite Runner is the heartbreaking story of the unlikely and inseparable friendship between a wealthy Afghan boy and the son of his father's servant, both of whom are caught in the tragic sweep of history. Published in the aftermath of America's invasion of Afghanistan, Khaled Hosseini's haunting writing brought a part of the world to vivid life that was previously unknown.
Now this beautifully produced, collectible hardcover enhances Khaled Hosseini's story with unforgettable color and black-and-white photographs of the people of Afghanistan and their surroundings, further illustrating the world in which the story is set and heightening the already powerful experience of reading this incredible book.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 One of the most beautiful tales you will ever read March 25, 2008
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I rarely re-read any books, I've only re-read maybe three or four in my entire life; Khaled Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner, is one of those books. Set in the country of Afghanistan, The Kite Runner tells the tale of the heartache of a nation at war and the guilt of a man who must live with the terrible sins of his past. The story weaves in and out of the present time in 2001, effortlessly gliding back and forth from past to present, showing off the true creative genius of the author. The story centers on Amir, a young man who grew up in Kabul Afghanistan before the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1979. Amir lives a privileged life; the son of a wealthy, respected, and well liked man named Baba, he struggles throughout his young life to find the favor of his distant father. His best friend is Hassan, the son of Baba's servant and lifelong friend Ali. Hassan is a Hazara, a member of an ethnic minority which has been long been persecuted by the Pashtun majority, of which Amir and Baba are a part, but despite the historical rivalry between these two groups Amir and Hassan grow up as friends, going to see westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and The Magnificent Seven (Special Edition), reading stories in the branches of a fruit tree in the front lawn, and flying kites in the cold winter months.
Amir's first words as a child were 'Baba,' while Hassan's were 'Amir,' and from the very beginning of this tragic story those two words set the stage for every action these two characters make. Everything Amir does is to win the favor and affection of his father, while Hassan's goal is to do the same with Amir. This ultimately leads to Amir betraying Hassan in the worst way imaginable. For the rest of his life Amir wanders though life wondering 'what if?' and trying hopelessly to live down the endless streams of guilt and regret which plague him from the moment the act is committed onwards.
I'll be completely honest, I was forced, at least at first, to read this book. I had to read it for an English class and otherwise would never have thought to pick up a book about Afghanistan, no matter how popular it may be, if not for my teacher making it required reading. However from the opening pages I could not put this book down, and even when I finished it I could not get the story out of my head. This story is the most beautify troubling story I've read in a long time, a tale which will haunt your heart and soul for ages to come and stain the inside of your eyelids with the pictures of death, hope, despair and love which are painted onto the pages of this book as well as any canvas.
The Kite Runner is a masterpiece of epic proportions, one that will forever remain the standard by which I judge books of this kind. Hosseini is truly a great writer, with his follow up book A Thousand Splendid Suns providing an even more depressing look at the nation that is Afghanistan. One can only hope that he has many more stories to come.
Re-read value; EXTREMLY high.
Beautifully written, a story of love, tragedy, and hope. January 4, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner gives the reader, especially the American reader, a glimpse into a world we can only imagine, and hopefully give thanks that we only have to imagine it. I found the story spellbinding, tragic yes, but with hope too. It shows that the human spirit is indomitable. Hosseini is a terrific story teller. I highly recommend this book.
 Illustrated Edition Not Worth the Extra Money January 9, 2008
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
Let me begin by stating that I love "The Kite Runner". When I got an email notice from Amazon that a newer edition with illustrations was available I contemplated spending quite a bit more money since I loved the story so much. Luckily, I didn't buy it. The photos add nothing to the original story that makes this version worthwhile. I highly recommend the book, but don't waste your money on the illustrated version.
Powerful, moving and ultimately worthwhile October 29, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I could not put this book down, devouring it in little more than 4 hours. Khaled Hosseini weaves a story rich with characters, history and culture.
A tale of enduring cowardice and betrayal. November 16, 2007
4 out of 13 found this review helpful
I am compelled to write this, my first Amazon review, as a warning. As clear an image as Mr.Hosseini relates, I don't want his characters, especially his central character, Amir, in my mind.
Amir, though gifted in many ways, is a bone-deep coward who never outgrows his shame through repeated, lifelong betrayals of the people that love him. Even his final hope, a potential for an expected redemption, is both late and half-hearted, disappointing any misguided empathy.
The story gives a sad, vivid glimpse into Afghanistan under the Taliban, and Mr.Hosseini has developed the story, and it's characters, very clearly. I just don't want my kids to imagine them. Ultimately, there is nothing redeeming here.
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