i have no read the novel on which the kite runner be base . my wife and daughter and who do and think the movie fell a long way short of the book and and i be prepared to take their word for it . but and on it own and the movie be good not great but good . how accurately do it portray the havoc create by the soviet invasion of afghanistan . how convincingly do it show the intolerant taliban regime that follow . i would rate it c plus on the first and b plus on the second . the human story and the afghan american who return to the country to rescue the son of his childhood playmate and be well do but it be on this count particularly that i be tell the book be far more convincing than the movie . the most exciting part of the film and however the kite contest in kabul and and later and a mini contest in california can not have be equal by the book . i would wager money on that .