THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini

EXPOSITION:  In the opening chapters, we learn about the history of Baba's family and the relationship between Amir and Hassan. The area of Kabul, and of Afghanistan, is described in great detail, as are the various ethnicities of the nation.

RISING ACTION:   Amir and Hassan win the kite flying contest, but Hassan is sodomized by a group of boys soon after while Amir watches without lending assistance. Later, Hassan and his father, Ali, leave Baba's household in disgrace after Hassan is falsely accused of stealing Amir's birthday presents (which Amir planted himself). The Russian invasion of Afghanistan forces Baba and Amir to flee to California. Baba is diagnosed with lung cancer, but he is able to witness Amir's wedding before dying.

CLIMAX:  Amir returns to Afghanistan and is told distressing secrets about his father by Rahim Khan. Amir locates his nephew, Sohrab, and rescues him from the Taliban, taking a dreadful beating; but in doing so, he achieves the partial atonement he had been seeking for his past sins against Hassan.

FALLING ACTION:  Amir recovers in the hospital, and then determines to return to America with Sohrab once they receive the proper visas. Before they leave, however, Sohrab attempts suicide, postponing their return until he is healthy.

RESOLUTION:  The resolution comes when Amir returns with Sohrab to California. Although Sohrab is still distant and far from fitting in with the family, they have a breakthrough when Amir agrees to run Sohrab's kite in Golden State Park. They win the contest, just as Amir had done with Hassan many years before, and Sohrab finally breaks a smile.