I said Kite Runner is a 'commercial book' and not representative of the situation on ground nor literary sound. I base this on comments from a lot of friends who know the people and places in Afghanistan well and are much better critics of literature than I am.
Examples of good books from our region:
I think "God of Small Things" is good... although not ignored by West.
"Ice-candy man" is fantastic.
"A suitable boy" ... although very loooong.
"A fine balance" .. lovely!
"Salt and saffron"
'crow eaters' (not excellent.. but still good)
I can remember these of the top of my head... which reminds me that I should start reading again!
Thanks for sharing these books, I'm also thinking about looking into some of them, some of them are quite popular books i don't see them all being neglected.
I have an advise for you, i hope you don't mind, you said about kite runner.
"I* base this on comments from a lot of friends who know the people and places in Afghanistan well and are much better critics of literature than I am.*"
It is always better to provide grounds for your opinion about something rather then just relying on someone else who you think is a better literature critic, specially when you are raising your opinion in a forum. Since i don't know those people so how do i know they are better critics. So you know what i mean, You should have the basis for your own opinion. I think it will serve you intellectually, I assume you will take my comment in good spirits.
In my opinion it is not necessary that a literary work represent the true picture of reality, its a piece of art, not an effort to depict reality. It is a kind of an effort which could satisfy your aesthetic and literary senses, by giving you a kind artistic and emotional experience.