25 Interesting Facts about Khaled Hosseini

Dan March 4, 2023

Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American novelist and physician, best known for his bestselling novels “The Kite Runner,” “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” and “And the Mountains Echoed.” Hosseini was born on March 4, 1965, in Kabul, Afghanistan, but later moved to the United States with his family in 1980 after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Hosseini worked as a doctor for several years before deciding to pursue writing full-time. His debut novel, “The Kite Runner,” was published in 2003 and quickly became a bestseller. The novel tells the story of a young Afghan boy named Amir and his relationship with his father and best friend, Hassan, against the backdrop of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban regime.

“A Thousand Splendid Suns,” published in 2007, is Hosseini’s second novel and focuses on the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, against the backdrop of the Soviet-Afghan War, the Mujahideen uprising, and the Taliban regime. Hosseini’s third novel, “And the Mountains Echoed,” was published in 2013 and explores the lives of several interconnected characters, including siblings Abdullah and Pari, whose relationship is tested when they are separated as children. The novel spans several decades and several countries, including Afghanistan, France, and the United States.

Throughout his career, Hosseini has been a strong advocate for Afghan refugees and has worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to promote awareness and support for refugees worldwide. His novels have been translated into over 70 languages and have sold over 55 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful and influential writers of our time.

Do you want to know more about Khaled Hosseini? Here are 28 interesting facts about Khaled Hosseini.

1. Hosseini’s father was a diplomat for the Afghan Foreign Ministry, and his mother was a teacher.
2. Hosseini graduated from Independence High School in San Jose, California, and later attended Santa Clara University, where he earned a degree in biology.
3. Hosseini went on to attend the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a medical degree.
4. Hosseini worked as a doctor for several years before deciding to pursue writing full-time.
5. Hosseini’s debut novel, “The Kite Runner,” was published in 2003 and quickly became a bestseller.
6. Hosseini’s second novel, “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” was published in 2007 and also became a bestseller.
7. Hosseini’s third novel, “And the Mountains Echoed,” was published in 2013.
8. Hosseini has been a Goodwill Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since 2006.
9. Hosseini is the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
10. Hosseini was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2009.
11. Hosseini has been awarded numerous honors and awards for his writing, including the Humanitarian Award from the United Nations Refugee Agency and the National Humanities Medal.
12. Hosseini’s novels have been translated into over 70 languages and have sold over 55 million copies worldwide.
13. Hosseini’s favorite book is “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
14. Hosseini is a fan of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
15. Hosseini’s favorite movie is “The Godfather.”
16. Hosseini’s favorite musician is Bruce Springsteen.
17. Hosseini’s favorite food is kabob.
18. Hosseini’s favorite color is blue.
19. Hosseini is a practicing Muslim.
20. Hosseini’s parents still live in the Bay Area, where he grew up.
21. Hosseini has two children with his wife, Roya.
22. Hosseini’s brother, Omar Hosseini, is a former professional football player.
23. Hosseini has said that he considers writing to be a form of therapy.
24. Hosseini’s favorite quote is: “The moving finger writes; and, having written, moves on: nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.” – Omar Khayyam.
25. Hosseini has cited Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ernest Hemingway, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez as some of his favorite writers.
26. Hosseini is a fan of the television show “Breaking Bad.”
27. Hosseini has said that if he could have dinner with any three people, they would be Ernest Hemingway, Bruce Springsteen, and his grandfather.
28. Hosseini’s next book, “Sea Prayer,” is a children’s book inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis and was published in 2018.

Khaled Hosseini is a highly accomplished author and humanitarian whose work has touched the hearts of millions around the world. From his early days as a physician to his present role as a UN Goodwill Envoy and founder of a charitable organization, Hosseini has dedicated his life to helping those in need. Through his novels, he has given voice to the Afghan people and shed light on the struggles they face, both at home and in exile. His writing is marked by a deep compassion and a profound understanding of human suffering, and his stories have the power to inspire empathy and connection across borders and cultures. Hosseini’s work stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature to promote understanding and compassion, and he will undoubtedly continue to be a beloved and influential figure in the world of letters for many years to come.