Amir: He is the protagonist of the novel. Amir is best described as sensitive and intelligent. Amir does not act as the greatest friend towards Hassan. He often attacks Hassan out of jealousy whenever Hassan receives Amir’s father’s attention. Amir has a constant need to please his father which is the motivation for his behaviour as a kid, and it is the main reason he allows Hassan to be raped. After this incident, Amir's guilt takes over and he searches to find a way to redeem himself. Eventually he does so through self-sacrifice and saves Hassan's son.
Assef: He is the antagonist of the novel, he was Amir's childhood rival and grew up to be the leader of the Taliban. He raped Hassan and Sohrab. His mission was to rid Afghanistan of Hazaras. He is incapable of remorse and enjoys demonstrating dominance by inflicting violence and sexually abusing those who are powerless.
Hassan: He is Amir’s best friend and half-brother. Him and his father were servant's of Baba’s. He is best described as; brave, loyal, and humble. He always defended Amir when he was attacked and was always there for Amir. He was a Hazara which is one of the most oppressed groups in Afghanistan, this causes him to be the victim of racism throughout the novel.
Ali: Acting father to Hassan and Baba’s servant. Ali is best described as humble and modest. Ali is poor and suffers from polio.
Sanaubar Hassan’s mother and Ali’s wife. After Hassan was born she ran off. She proves herself a caring grandmother to Sohrab when she returns and asks for forgiveness later in the novel.
Sohrab: He is the son of Hassan and Farzana. He is also an ethnic Hazara like his father. Sohrab and his father went through similar dramas, they both were victims of sexual and physical abuse. The drama form this and losing his parents caused him to go from speaking very little to not at all. Amir rescues him and adopts him as redeeming himself for what he did to Hassan.
Farzana Hassan’s wife and Sohrab’s mother. Fanzana is portrayed as a loving mother.
Baba: Father of Amir and Hassan. He was well-respected businessman. He always believes in doing what is right and helping others. He tries to impart these qualities to Amir. He himself like Amir made a mistake and was trying to redeem himself the whole novel.
Sofia Akrami Amir’s mother and Baba's wife. Sofia died giving birth to Amir. Amir knows she loved literature as he does.
Rahim: Friend and business partner of Baba. Rahim Khan is Baba’s closest confidant, and the one man who knows everything about Baba. He serves as a father figure to Amir, and gives him the attention he desires from Baba.
Soraya Amir’s wife. Soraya is describes as caring, intelligent, loving and strong-wiled. She is always there for Amir when he needs her. She often deplores the way women are treated in Afghan culture.
General Taheri Soraya’s father and a friend of Baba. He best described as arrogant and can be headstrong. He is very set in his traditional ways. He is in many ways the stereotypical Afghan male, both in his roles as a father and husband.
Jamila General Taheri’s wife and Soraya’s mother. Jamila is the typical Afghan wife and mother. She obeys her husband without question and wants nothing more than to see her daughter married with a child.