the novel begins with a flashback. What do you think it its purpose? what do you learn about the narrator?

Hosseini relies heavily on flashback not only to build suspense but also to support his theme of the past's immense effect upon the present. At the beginning, Hosseini begins the novel in present day and then flashes back to Amir's childhood. By using one-sentence statements such as "There is a way to be good again," the author causes the reader to want to keep reading to see what those statements suggest. The flashbacks then explain the significance of the statements.

Amir is haunted by the past--he cannot be completely happy in the present or future until he goes back to redeem himself for past actions.