The kite runner is the first novel by afghan american author khaled hosseini published in 2003 by riverhead books it tells the story of amir a young boy from the wazir akbar khan district of kabulthe story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events from the fall of afghanistans monarchy through the soviet military intervention the exodus of refugees to pakistan and the united states . Directed by marc forster with khalid abdalla ahmad khan mahmoodzada atossa leoni shaun toub after spending years in california amir returns to his homeland in afghanistan to help his old friend hassan whose son is in trouble. The kite runner is a 2007 american drama film directed by marc forster from a screenplay by david benioff and based on the 2003 novel of the same name by khaled hosseiniit tells the story of amir a well to do boy from the wazir akbar khan district of kabul who is tormented by the guilt of abandoning his friend hassan the story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events from the fall of . The kite runner 2003 khaled hosseini the kite runner is the first novel by afghan american author khaled hosseini published in 2003 by riverhead books it tells the story of amir a young boy from the wazir akbar khan district of kabul whose closest friend is hassan