The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a beautiful story (not to mention the first Afghan book to be written in English). The novel follows Amir, a boy living in Afghanistan with his father, Baba. The two have been living by themselves since Amir's mother died during childbirth. Well, not really alone. The servant, Ali, and his son, Hassan, live in a hut in the backyard. While they may be servants, Baba looks to them as family. Hassan and Amir grow up together and become friends. Amir, who narrates events, is disarmingly honest even about his own failures and shortcomings, and the other characters are beautifully drawn. Hassan is especially endearing, his trusting and unquestioning loyalty to Amir bringing a lump to the throat and tears to the eyes.