2.  It has aspects of a coming of age novel.  There are also a sense of a moral challenge, such as his journey for redemption.  It also features true historical and political facts, such as the soviet invasion.  This gives it a realistic and complex feel. It puts fiction into reality, especially due to the believable characters and experiences.  This enhances the auto-biographical sense of the novel.

3.  The first-person narration of the novel aids character construction by personal insight.  The reader is drawn to Amir’s point of view. Amir’s morals, or lack of them, are presented to us personally which allows us to deeper understand Amir’s plight.  Part of the narrative technique includes trapping us in Amir’s mind. This holds our attention throughout the novel.  There is a complexity that stems from our condemnation of his actions and ideas but a sympathy.

4.  His self-critique throughout the novel shows the reader the depth of his sorrow.  The author’s views, shown through Amir begin to ring true with our feelings.

5.  The narrative structure follows a chronological time scheme but with jumps in-between important periods in his life.  The earlier actions in the book are magnified with consequences later on in the novel.  The morality eases off in the middle of the novel. After Hassan’s rape, the drama of escape and flight takes over. It is only later, after his marriage and unsuccessful attempts at parentage that the morality is returned to full intensity.

6.  Part of Hosseini’s structure is the joining of characters. Many of them have complex relationships, some, like Baba and Hassan are only seen for their true colours at the climax of the novel.  There is a recurring irony that spans the entire novel. It is subtle and easily missed, such as the rape of Hassan followed decades later by the (implied) rape of Sohrab, or the threat carried out unwittingly by Sohrab decades after Hassan.  There is the irony of Amir’s character. Throughout he attempts to be good, he still has his dark secret. Assef can be seen as an Amir’s personified dark side. WC1N 3LJ

7.  Hosseini uses highly descriptive language in his novel. This comes to explain the contrast between America and Afghanistan - America appears to be cleaner than the dusty Afghanistan, but America lacks the life and vivid description Hosseini uses for his homeland.  The reflective style reminds us Amir is looking back on life.  Hosseini chooses to use Amir as his mouthpiece – an author. This allows us to accept the description as more than just artistic licence – it shows Amir’s love of his home.

8.  On occasion Hosseini uses alternative voices. Rahin Khan provides a different viewpoint and interesting dialogue that helps deepen his character.  Recurring ideas and motifs make strong appearances. For example, kites appear at the beginning and end to symbolise hope and joyfulness.  Another motif is a simple smile – Hassan’s happy smile is cut short by Assef and Sohrab begins to smile as life begins to brighten.