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Quote by Khaled Hosseini

Work

The Kite Runner

This novel delves into the complex relationship between two boys in Afghanistan, as it unfolds against the backdrop of political turmoil and personal tragedy. The story follows their lives, highlighting the impact of their choices and the consequences that follow. more

Author

Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American novelist, best known for his novel 'The Kite Runner,' which has become a global bestseller. The story, centered around themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, has resonated with readers worldwide. Hosseini's works often focus on the history and culture of Afghanistan, as well as the complexities of human nature. more

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“The symptoms of a writer who hasn’t found their way clear of the needs of Self yet are easy to spot. I should say the symptoms are easy for everyone else to spot, that is, and not so easy for the writer themself to see. You’ll see a writer who does not trust the characters to speak and move on their own, but has to puppeteer them; a writer who does not trust the reader to understand what’s written. One who must insert parentheticals in various forms to explain the work to the reader; flashbacks to explain; big black blocks of text on the page to explain; question-and-answer dialog between characters who aren’t in a courtroom; walk-and-talk characters with their mouths full of dialog of what the story is about; too many stage directions that make the script read like a novel…”

“The real test of your character is not how much you deal with adversity — although that will teach you much. The real test is how you deal with power. The only cure for power is humility and the admission that your power comes from luck. The small person believes they are superior; the superior person knows they are lucky.”

“We are great fools. 'He has spent his life in idleness,' we say, and 'I have done nothing today.' What! have you not lived? That is not only the fundamental, but the most noble of your occupations. 'If I had been put in charge of some great affair, I might have shown what I could do.' Have you been able to reflect on your life and control it? Then you have performed the greatest work of all. To reveal herself and do her work, nature has no need of fortune. She manifests herself equally at all levels, and behind curtains as well as in the open. Our duty is to compose our character, not to compose books, to win not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live properly. All other things -- to reign, to lay up treasure, to build -- are at best but little aids and additions.”