Amir grows up in a privileged household in the wealthy Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood of Kabul. He is a sensitive boy who prefers poetry and reading over sports, which creates a rift between him and his athletic father. Plagued by cowardice and a desperate need for his father's affection, Amir experiences constant tension in his complex friendship with his servant, Hassan.

Hassan is an ethnic Hazara boy living in a mud hut on the grounds of Amir's family estate. As a Shi'a Muslim and a servant, he occupies a marginalized place in Afghan society, yet he interacts with his world with innate goodness and an unwavering sense of justice. He acts as Amir's closest companion and serves as the neighborhood's most talented kite runner.

Baba is a wealthy, respected businessman in Kabul who commands attention and adherence to his personal code of honor. He struggles to understand his quiet, bookish son and maintains a strict but generous household. He harbors strong opinions against organized religion and views theft as the root of all human sin.

Ali is a devoted Hazara servant who has lived with Baba's family since they were both children. He suffers from a congenital paralysis of his lower face and an atrophied leg from polio, which makes him the target of cruel taunts from neighborhood boys. He raises Hassan as a single father following his wife's departure and relies on his deep religious faith for strength.

Assef is a wealthy, blond-haired boy from Kabul who terrorizes the local children. He embraces dangerous ideologies and deeply resents anyone who associates with the marginalized Hazara population. His cruel nature and sense of entitlement dictate his interactions, causing him to seek violent retribution against those who defy him.

Sohrab is a young boy growing up in an increasingly volatile and war-torn Afghanistan. He shares many traits with his father, including a gentle demeanor and a talent with a slingshot. His presence in the narrative serves as the catalyst for Amir's eventual return to his homeland.

Rahim Khan is Baba's close friend and business partner. Unlike Baba, Rahim Khan understands and encourages Amir's passion for writing and storytelling, often serving as a much-needed source of validation for the young boy. He keeps a careful watch over the family dynamics and eventually acts as a bridge between Amir's past and present.

Soraya is a young Afghan woman living in California who wishes to become a teacher. She is the daughter of a prominent Afghan general and lives under the strict cultural expectations of her community. She carries a past secret that causes her family shame, but she faces her history with total honesty.

Farid is a battle-hardened former fighter who lost parts of his hand and several family members to regional conflicts. He initially views Afghan expatriates with deep skepticism, believing they abandoned their country during its hardest times. He operates as a driver and guide through the dangerous, radically altered landscape of his homeland.

General Taheri is a former decorated military official from Kabul who struggles to adapt to his reduced status in America. He strictly enforces traditional Afghan values and places a high premium on his family's reputation and honor.

Jamila is General Taheri's wife and Soraya's mother. She desperately wants to see her daughter married and accepted by the community, often subtly encouraging appropriate suitors while trying to appease her husband's strict standards.

Sanaubar is a woman noted for her striking appearance who entered into an arranged marriage with her cousin, Ali. She abandoned her family less than a week after giving birth, leaving behind a legacy of whispered rumors in the neighborhood.

Wahid is a hospitable Afghan man trying to raise three young boys in a war-torn country. Despite living in deep poverty and struggling to feed his family, he fiercely upholds the traditional Afghan code of hospitality toward guests.

Kamal is a local boy who associates with Assef, largely out of fear and a desire to align with power. He enables Assef's bullying but lacks his leader's deep-seated ideological cruelty.

Wali is another of Assef's acolytes who participates in the harassment of neighborhood children. Like Kamal, his cruelty is largely an extension of his need to remain in Assef's good graces.