Khaled Hosseini Video Interview

How long did Khaled Hosseini work in medicine after the Kite Runner was published?

1.5 years

When did Khaled Hosseini visit Kabul for inspiration for his second novel?

2003

How many years had Hosseini been away from Afghanistan before his 2003 visit?

27 years

Who inspired the characters in Hosseini’s second novel?

Afghan women and children

What kind of bond do the two main characters in Hosseini’s second novel develop?

Mother-daughter-like

What social class does one of the main characters in the second novel represent?

Poor rural villager

What social class does the other main character in the second novel represent?

Educated middle class

What political eras does the second novel cover?

Soviet invasion to post-9/11

What theme is central to the female protagonists’ relationship?

Friendship and sacrifice

What city is central to Hosseini’s personal and literary background?

Kabul

How did Kabul appear during Hosseini's childhood?

Peaceful and culturally vibrant

What form of literature influenced Hosseini as a child?

Persian poetry

What profession did Hosseini pursue before becoming a full-time writer?

Medicine

How did The Kite Runner become successful?

Word of mouth

Why did Hosseini finally leave medicine?

The success of The Kite Runner

What is the primary focus of Hosseini’s second novel?

Lives of Afghan women

What type of stories did Hosseini hear during his 2003 Kabul trip?

Trauma and resilience

What literary theme is prominent in Hosseini’s second novel?

Hope and belonging

What does the novel aim to humanize?

Impact of political conflict on individuals

What narrative technique does Hosseini use to explore Afghan history?

Personalizing political events

What was Afghanistan like before the Soviet invasion?

Cosmopolitan and stable

What type of family did Hosseini grow up in?

Literate and culturally engaged

What artistic activities did Hosseini do as a child?

Writing stories and plays

What was the author’s first novel?

The Kite Runner

When was The Kite Runner published?

2003

How long did Hosseini stay in Kabul during his 2003 visit?

2 weeks

What group suffered most during Afghanistan’s conflict, according to Hosseini?

Women

What does Hosseini's second novel seek to foster in readers?

Empathy

What does the friendship in the novel symbolize?

Resilience amid chaos

How does Hosseini describe the inspiration process?

Subconscious and retrospective