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What are readers saying about A Thousand Splendid Suns?
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-13 01:14:58.
(Language: English)
  
In "A Thousand Splendid Suns", Mr. Hosseini quickly makes it clear that he intends to deal with the plight of women in Afghanistan, and in the opening pages the mother of one of the novel’s two heroines talks portentously about “our lot in life,” the lot of poor, uneducated “women like us” who have to endure the hardships of life, the slights of men, the disdain of society.In the opening pages of A Thousand Splendid Suns we meet Mariam growing up in Herat: an illegitimate child, she is treated as an outcast by her rich father's family and lives in poverty with her troubled, depressed mother. A reckless act of defiance of her mother's wishes results in her being packed off to Kabul, aged only 15, to marry the violent Rasheed, 30 years her senior, who forces her to wear a burkha. The book's perspective then shifts to the younger Laila, who lives with her parents on the same street as Mariam. Laila's childhood is relatively privileged and her parents have progressive views about women's education and roles. After a series of tragedies, Laila finds herself living with Mariam and Rasheed, and gradually the two women form a devoted friendship, one that will shape the rest of their lives as they witness Afghanistan's Soviet occupation, rule by the Mujahideen and then the Taliban, and finally the arrival of US-led forces and the appointment of Hamid Karzai. There is much misery - sons die in war, families perish in bombed homes, domestic violence is rife - and there is little use of irony. Yet what makes the story and its overarching plot work is that the characters are compelling: we care about Mariam and Laila and are eager to track their lives; it is through them that we encounter intimate human dramas. Hosseini crafts convincing popular fiction - written in an accessible, unadorned style - that deals with the timeless questions of love, loss, identity, guilt, redemption and the lengths we will go to save "family". In shedding light on the lives of women who live behind the veil, Hosseini urges us to identify with these women. Reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns," one cannot help but imagine that these two remarkable women are drawn from life, that their revealed lives reflect the lives of thousands of Afghani women who have endured despite the odds. Hosseini has said, "I would like readers to walk away with a sense of empathy for Afghans, and more specifically for Afghan women, on whom the effects of war and extremism have been devastating." 
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-16 11:41:26.
(Language: English)
I just finished reading this book (it is a second work by the author of The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini). Consider this a VERY emphatic recommendation that you go read this book NOW(!!) if you haven't already done so. Especially as a woman, I found it easy to relate to the characters whose lives are outlined in the book. Without giving anything away, I will say that it is told from the perspective of women living in Afghanistan ....spanning from the 70's to modern day Afghanistan (post-Taliban). Much of it is very true to the real-life historical background of Aghanistan but what really struck me was that it told the story of women living in the country ....who were denied all the rights that we take for granted. Painful to read at times. I stopped and wept several times for the characters. Yes it's fiction. But it tells the story of women whose dreams didn't matter because their sole purpose in life was to cater to the desires and whims of their husbands. Behind their burquas, nobody stopped to question who these women were. That is the unfortunate reality for women who grew up in the country (particularly under the rule of the Taliban). Hosseini gives these women a voice. I was touched beyond words. Perhaps the most beautiful thing about this book is that it forced me to realize how small I am in the big scheme of things. It's easy to forget that every day somewhere in the world, daily battles are being waged. Whether it's innocent civilians dying in war, people dying of starvation or children being sold into prostitution/slavery. It's important that we remain aware of all this. Of course this begs the inevitable question of "How can we alleviate all this injustice?" I have yet to figure that out myself. But I believe that everybody has the power to play some part (however small) in improving the lives of those less fortunate. An absolute gem of a book. Life changing.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-24 11:21:06.
(Language: English)
This was an intensely moving and touching book. The story is told from the perspective of two Afghan women who grew up during all its turbulent years, and how their lives become intertwined. It’s exceedingly well written and hard to put down especially in the last few chapters. The book paints a vivid picture of how the lives of ordinary people are affected as Afghanistan moves through the war-torn legacies of Dostum, the Russians, the Mujahideen, the Taliban, and then the American invasion. The narrative is non judgmental. The book tells the stories of two women born at different times in turbulent Afghanistan. Mariam’s life is cursed from the beginning because of her illegitimate birth and she is doomed to a loveless marriage with an uncaring husband. Laila is the extremely bright daughter of liberal parents who has a seemingly bright future till rockets destroy her home and her family. She is forced to marry Mariam’s much older husband starting off on an extremely estranged relationship with Mariam. Mariam dominates the central theme of the book. She provides a solid beacon of courage around which the vivaciousness Laila is never allowed to completely die out despite civil war, insanely rigorous Taliban laws, and an extremely tortuous marriage. While the first half of the book is a great narrative about life in Afghanistan under various rulers, the second half is engrossing in its description of how the two women become each other’s support during the worst of times. The book is about two ordinary women, who through their efforts at combating their horrifying conditions set an extraordinary example.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-03-24 10:47:02.
(Language: English)
I've been looking forward to Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns". One would think that I would know by know that best-selling books that are mega-hits among people not known as readers are not going to be awesome books. Well, what can I say? I'm a perpetual optimist, I guess. "Splendid Suns" was not exactly a disappointment, but it was not exactly a masterpiece, either. I'm in no rush to go pick up "Kite Runner," the book that really made Hosseini famous."Splendid Suns" tells the story of women in Afghanistan from the mid '70s to the early '00s through the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, who I imagine we are supposed to believe are "average." The book would be a whole lot better and more convincing if it didn't try to encompass every important event in Afghanistan in 30 years and every possible outcome for women in nearly every ethnic group in every possible family situation during this time. Who knew that two women could be so representative? Amazing! The writing is prosaic, and the women convincing (even when the plot is not) and their lives are touching. I admit it, I even felt some wet eyes near the end. The men in the story are not nearly as convincing, and are pretty shallowly portrayed as straw men- demons, heroes, scholars- easy to peg from their first appearance.The book is worth its weight to flush out the day-to-day lives of the people I have been reading about in non-fiction portrayals of these tumultuous and fairly awful years in Afghanistan. War is real, Hosseini reminds the reader, and Mariam, Laila, and their families are (token) people who give us glimpses into it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-22 02:06:31.
(Language: English)
SPOILERS!!!!!!!!! This was an immensely harrowing read. The horrific acts that happen to Mariam and Laila are beyond comprehension, and it taught me a lot about the regimes of Afghanistan under the Soviets and Taliban, of which I was previously ignorant to. Both women suffered at the hands of their mother and absent father (Mariam) and their husband (Laila) with unspeakable behavior and anger. It was very hard to read some of the violence, but Hosseini wrote it well, without it being gratuitous. It was a very engaging read from start to finish. I have to admit I wouldn't usually pick up a book of this kind, largely because of my ignorance to the Eastern world, but I am so glad I did as it has taught me a lot about the politics behind the times. The words were written beautifully, and the descriptions of the cities and rolling hills were very easy to imagine thanks to Hosseini. My only criticism of the book would be that there was a lot of despair - I think it could have been an equally good book without so much bad luck for Mariam in particular, sometimes it felt like she was a character just designed to be a portrayer of bad fortune. It is neither a hard, nor an easy read, and whilst the chapters are short, there is a lot of information and storytelling behind them. I honestly didn't see Tariq coming back into the story after Laila was informed of his death wrongly, and I was so glad he was brought back as she had a deep love for him that was so achingly described and believable. I felt that the death of Rasheed was deserved after his behaviour towards his wives, and I was glad that Mariam finally dispatched of him, albeit to her downfall - I was so sad that Mariam couldn't join Laila and Tariq in happiness. I would really recommend this book to any fiction fan, especially those who wish to know more about Afghan politics during the 1980-2000 period, and also the way events such as 9/11 impacted upon cities within. The only thing that I felt was out of place was the positive light cast over Afghanistan at the end, which in regards to the recent plights, seems a bit out of place. 4*/5
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-31 05:18:06.
(Language: English)
"Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always". A thousand Splendid Suns is one of THOSE books. At the end, you will discover, to your own surprise, that your heart is broken like shattered glass. This book will make you think about yourself, and how pale your problems suddenly seem, comparing to the horrors women had or still have to face everyday. How unfair, how utterly unfair, life is to those women. And yet, they've learned not to complain, not to ask more of life, or simply say "Why me? " . They embrace their destinies with great courage and hope. Mariam and Laïla are only 2 women among so many. I tip my hat to those women, those silent heroes, who are, very often too young to be fighting so much. The end is so bittersweet. I wished the book never ended. I would also like to applaud Hosseini for writing from a feminine perspective such a deep and detailed book. What an achievement. Add this masterpiece to your "Must read before I die list" .
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-13 11:05:51.
(Language: English)
Khalid Hosseini has again done a marvellous job by writing the Masterpieces for the second time. I haven't yet gone through all of the book reviews that have so far been written, but I must admit that the novel has altogether taught me a lot of things besides telling of the sufferings,love touching its heights at the time when people were after each other's life, not wanting to spare anyone for the sins they had never committed. The story revolves beautifully around two neighbors who later became a family. Their story that started with hostility ended up in a dying love for each other,leaving the notion that one kind word can break the mountains into rivers. Mariam, who lived a disgraced life of a Harami died a brave death. The story teaches that one wrong action of ours can spoil the entire life. She trusted her father blindly and had to pay a heavy price for that matter. The story twisted from thereon and she never saw any happy moments ever again until Aziza joined her. Laila could not save herself and her beauty from the eyes of Rasheed, again reminding the readers that there are wolves around in disguise. However, this should in no way mean that Islam is unfair to women. Islam is that modern religion that gave woman a liberty to propose to a guy for marriage that she finds suitable for herself. It allowed her to breathe and live unlike the pre-Islmaic society where she would be burried alive. It rose her to those standards that now Paradise lies under her feet. The novel is an emotional yet a true story of many. The eyes do become moist when reading about the life in Afghanistan and the killing of innocent people, of the partings and reunions. I rate this novel as the best of the year.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-16 10:41:17.
(Language: English)
After completion:: Khaled Hussseni is a gifted composer.A truly gifted book for the generations to come. The story will offer knowledge more than a fiction.The blending of the fiction part with real political history of Afghanistan and the life of Afghan is deserved to be known by all. Marium finally overcomes the fear in her and conqueres the compromises that she was made to make.Laila,another character fights and fails several times to suvive in her own way. Both of the characters finally achieves their own share of salvation.Love is the only componenet that can restore peace and make one complete. Is there a Marium or a Laila in me and in every woman?We will also achieve our share of joy.Just be able and quipped to filtrate truth from lie.Life is one and "I" is one indivisual,we need to make it complete and fulfilled.Every second is precious. Pray to God, for those who have suffered and that we are born in a peace loving country. Staking up of knowlege from different books on human rights violation in the brain almirah will contribute to idealise our actions ,however,can we contribute more that can percolate swift to the sufferers and atleast bring a smile to their face , a moment that they can cherish, probably some idea that they can imbibe and continue. While reading :: A must read...how can we contribute to the upliftment of the people who's human rights are voilated !! probably , there is no concept of the human right at all !! SAD.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-13 02:03:16.
(Language: English)
This story has everything I could wish for. Although so completely different from "The Kite Runner", it again offers wonderful characters with overwhelming life stories as well as fascinating insights into the terrible wars of Afghanistan (especially Kabul), the position of women in that country, their role in marriage and their rights regarding education. The dominand two topics, however, are death and love. A life is not worth much there, it seems, and Hosseini shows very clearly the absurd, arbitrary killing that's so hard to understand for a European like me. On the other hand,there is love in all its ways - the love for a mother and a father, the love for a lover, the love for a child and the love for a friend. By means of this important aspect, Hosseini connects us with his protagonists, because nevermind the location of the reader, he can emphasize with those feelings and longings of love. Again, Khaled Hosseini proves his great talent as a writer in so many ways. As a man, he writes from the viewpoint of two women, and it's completely touching and convincing to me. As already in "The Kite Runner", he wonderfully connects two completely different life threads and, again, he brings this awsome book to an accepable end for the reader. Hosseinis marvelous emotional mix of heartbreaking sadness, deep hope, and rare moments of joy and love that make up for everything bad will force you through the book in no time and leave you smiling through tears.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-08 06:28:34.
(Language: English)
Khaled Hosseini has done a wonderful job of writting such a gripping story. I have not read the Kite Runner as yet but A Thousand Splendid Suns is an amazing story of War,love, betrayal, pain, endurance, tolerance, duty,faith,cruelty,maternal sacrifice,sadness and so much more. Mariam and Laila are two simple women with courage way beyond their years. This book is so simple to read and told, I feel through the eyes of the two characters with innocense that shows thier young age while they go through so much turmoil in their lives yet the maturity and honesty of their thoughts and actions are conveyed with such an impact that it sometimes makes it hard to breath. This book has certainly evoked a lot of emotions - not all good when you read about the innocent lives lost during war and how it impacts the family, not when you read about young Mariam and Laila going through so much hardship and cruelty and know that blissfully in our own part of the world, we complain that our husbands don't help to wash the dishes...The simplicity with which the story is told is also very effective because it almost makes you feel as though you are there seeing it all and yet feel so helpless... it was also a sad and painful read at times but a reality that we have now come to hear so often. The courage of the two women in the book is amazing - I tried very hard and succeeded in most cases not to cry but simply couldn't help myself when Mariam was executed - her entire life flashing before her and the unfairness of all that she went through of her simple wishes before she died - to "see Laila again,wished to hear the clangor of her laugh, to sit with her once more for a pot of chai and leftover halwa under a starlit sky..". When Laila goes to visit the place where Mariam grew up at the end, is also beautifully depicted. Again, a moment where I had to hold back tears when you see the differences in the childhood each woman had. The circumstances that brought them together later and the bond that they created, to then last a lifetime. I think Khaled Hosseini has done an amazing job and I can't wait to read the Kite Runner now.
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Murali posted a review at 2010-04-11 11:18:11.
(Language: English)
I am surprised that this book has been as successful as it is. Apart from a living history of Afghanistan and the lives of the characters living through it, it had little to grip me. The plot is not unique and I do hope, that the author did not think it was. There have been several books and too many Hindi movies made with similar plots - the plight of women in conservative societies. I am too much of a pleb to know if that is one of the fashionable themes these days and if the book has been critically acclaimed since it is seen as a man writing the story of the lives of women. While on the one hand there are traces of strong feminist themes like the strength of character that Mariam displays by confessing to the death of her husband so that Laila can escape to a better life, it comes across as just another plot line from a bollywood movie pretending to be parallel cinema by Shyam Benegal or Girish Karnad that could well have had Shabana Azmi playing Mariam, Smita Patil playing Laila and Kulbhushan Karbanda playing Rasheed, without the battered wife syndrome being a legal defence in a Taliban regime. With the amount of detail that is devoted to the lives of the women, very little is written about Rasheed, his work, the effect of the tumultous events on this livelihood, all of which would be natural for a reader to know. Keeping the novel focussed on the women would not be diluted by adding a little more colour to the male characters and taking them beyond their domestic lives. There is more about Babi, Laila's father than Rasheed, which seems unfair since the story is set primarily in Rasheed's house. Despite this, it was a wonderful description of the lives of people in a country of which the world in general is ill-informed because of all the recent history being as tragic as a greek novel could ever aspire to be. There seems to be nothing left in living memory of the glory of Afghanistan in the last century with the educated population of Kabul, a city that could hold its own with many of the Asia's leading cities, its rich culture and liberal tradition. In my world of classification of plots, the "Forrest Gump" style is one of story telling with the history of a great country being treated as the back drop of the life of characters who go about their everyday lives. This seems to be common to all books that I am reading these days. Much as I love this style of writing and the history of countries like Afghanistan and Burma (The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh about Burma) that we have all chosen to forget, it is time for a change I think. The choice of words, the description of events and the story telling was excellent. It has been a long time since a book brought tears to one's eyes but of course, I could explain the tears away as a side effect of my medication.
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Sampada posted a review at 2010-01-12 02:17:10.
(Language: English)
There are so many books, and so little time to read. Maybe that’s why it’s quite difficult to read more than one book by the same author (unless you’re a die-hard fan of the writer). Avid readers usually read the most well-known book by an author. In Khaled Hosseini’s case, it has to be The Kite Runner, the book that shot him to fame. Although my initial opinion of The Kite Runner was quite positive, looking back at the story and his style, I don’t think it was as great as I might have thought. What I did remember was that the book was really easy to read (a luxury one needs to indulge in every once in a while). And I knew that his second book would be equally simple as a book. I was proved right and wrong at the same time. As a story and as a narrative, A Thousand Splendid Suns was easy enough to follow. Hosseini’s style was quite similar to his first novel, although the historical upheavals of Afghanistan and its effect on poor families are much more detailed and nuanced. Hosseini’s interest in the lives of two young girls and their familial situation reminded me a lot of the films of Majid Majidi. Majidi’s films are based in Iran, and although have a tinge of sadness, are always somehow rooted in hope and joy. Hope was a huge part of Splendid Suns too, however, I soon got tired of how depressing the story was. It’s hard enough to read about a husband abusing his teenage wife; it gets really frustrating when he marries another teenager and abuses her too. There was too much violence, inside and outside their homes. There was hope, but one knew that you had to wait for it.Without giving too much away, I was bothered by the fact that the women in the story had to depend on another man to finally find vindication and freedom. I was annoyed by the fact that one character had so much power over the female protagonists. And when the protagonists finally break loose from him, it’s too little, too late. Or so it seemed to me. The novel dragged a little towards the end, and much of what happened was quite expected. Over all, Hoesseini’s second work elicited a reaction that one often has when you read an author’s second work. It rarely stands up to the high expectations set by the first work, and yet is endearing to you because you’re familiar with the author’s style and it’s fun to read the similar patterns. I’d still recommend one read The Kite Runner and only read Splendid Suns if you’re looking for a quick yet interesting read.
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Mykee's posted a review at 2010-02-06 06:24:43.
(Language: English)
“I know you’re still young, but I want you to understand and learn this now, he said. Marriage can wait, education cannot. You’re a very, very bright girl. Truly, you are. You can be anything you want, Laila. I know this about you. And I also know that when this war is over, Afghanistan is going to need you as much as its men, maybe even more. Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated, Laila. No chance.” I believe that is the resonating message that this current read of mine will ever leave readers. A book which will bring you into the lives of the women of Afghanistan. The lives behind these women’s burqas in the second novel of Khaled Hosseini entitled “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. I know a lot us have seen them on our televisions, on the news, women of Afghanistan hidden away in their blue burqas. Wondering what is hidden behind the veil. This book will unveil the stories, of two women; Mariam and Laila, intertwined together by faith, by love, by war, and by family. Where Afghan culture will bring you into a different world. Where the bombs of Soviets, cries of Mujahidin, and the brutal law of Taliban shape their lives together. This is an epic tale of two struggling women, trying to live in this hostile world, hoping for the day to come when peace and love will once again conquer not only their lives but the lives of all Afghan people. A MUST READ!! I would like to thank Yan Gabor, one of my blog readers, for recommending this novel to me. I have heard about this novel but I waited for the other “books-in-lining” to be read before I held and read it. I have read the first novel of Khaled Hosseini, and just like “The Kite Runner”, this novel will bring you to tears. Khaled has that special talent not a lot of modern authors these days have, he writes so that readers themselves will be part of the story. Reading this book brought me to cringe with pain, boil with anger, rush with anticipation, and weep with joy. I got so immersed in the story that I did not noticed that I was already half way into the book already. More than that the book brings so much hope to everyone and a better understanding of the plight of people under cross fire and of the thousands of refugees today. This book is OUTSTANDING! I sing my praises once more to Khaled, a refugee from his home land, Afghanistan, Khaled will give readers the full spectrum of the effects of war to a nation. How someone like his main characters Mariam and Laila have to endure pain just to feel lasting freedom. I give this book a FIVE OUT OF FIVE RATING.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-21 03:34:55.
(Language: English)
I was cautious about reading this book; Kite Runner was excellent and I wondered if it could be repeated. In addition the word was that this was a similar setting but from a female perspective; Hosseini is a man.The story IS powerful, the historical context is well explained and connected with the lives of the significant characters, the literary reference to Hemmingway's 'The old man of the sea' was a powerful metaphor for how a prized country: Afghanistan, a prized city: Kabul and the 'unprized' lives of many would be ripped apart by a procession of sharks. Sometimes Hosseini's opinions are rather clumsily delivered; his positive comments on the burkha, as a place for anonymity were repeated too many times.The book sets out to tell a tale of love flourishing against terrible odds and in this it succeeds, the relationships are believable, the violence almost too difficult to read. In this midst of this the writer does create characters and relationships that demonstrate love and faith as a response to cruelty. Like Kite Runner Hosseini succeeds in showing the positive side of Islamic culture, considering the context of his storytelling I think he is to be credited for this.I am rarely moved by books, but some 336 pages in I became, for the first time emotionally engaged. Laila tells Aziza that Tariq is a good man, the best she has ever known and that he will never leave, she reiterates, 'he will never hurt you and he will never leave'. Hosseini concludes this section by writing, 'The relief on Aziza's face broke Laila's heart'. This was, for me. the telling moment, yet it was a moment about fatherhood not motherhood. It was the men who made the huge differences, Aziza and Laila were still reliant on the actions of a man, this time a good one, the women still had to make do with the morsels that the sharks left.Yes this is an excellent book, yes it is a timely reminder of the terror of war, and as I write death in Kabul is still mentioned on the news. But is it really written from a woman's perspective? Here I must say that I think not, for although Hosseini has written an engaging novel, throughout it I felt that it was a man's perspective of a woman's perspective, a man's voice calling us to listen to women's voices rather that the woman's voice itself. A laudable attempt but If the full horror of the atrocities of Afghanistan ever come to light the likes of Mariam, Laila and Aziza with have to speak with their own mouths and write with their own pens.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-03 06:18:14.
(Language: English)
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS Khaled Hosseini Little else seemed to exist for me the week I read this splendid new offering from the talented Hosseini, author of the mega-selling The Kite Runner. Every moment I could spare, I was reaching for the book to go back to the world of Mariam and Laila, two ordinary Afghani women caught up in the devastation and misery of life in their beleaguered country from the early 70s to 2003 – a tumultuous period which saw the overthrow of the monarchy; Afghanistan’s takeover by the communists, and then in turn the Soviet Union, the Taliban and the Mujehadin. Through it all, the Afghani people suffered – but most of all the women, oppressed under a misogyny we can hardly imagine. As we all know, they were, under Sharia law, forced to wear the dreaded burkha, were denied paid employment and education and had to manage without most of the basics we take for granted in their cities overrun by competing warlords and despots. All this modern-day history is brought to life with the story of one dysfunctional family fighting for its survival. To recount here the engrossing life stories of the older Mariam and the young Laila and the indignities they endured would spoil the book for you. Trust me when I tell you that you are made to feel a part of their lives and care deeply about their fates from the very first chapter of A Thousand Splendid. Though sometimes uncomfortable to read (in terms of the events being described), this riveting story should not be missed.
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Ramakrishnan posted a review at 2009-06-01 07:50:50.
(Language: English)
This is the second novel from Khaled Hosseini, follow-up to the highly celebrated “Kite Runner”. I was most impressed by the Kite Runner, and picked up this one with a lot of expectations, trepidation and everything in between. This is a story of 2 Afghani women – how they grow up in middle of all the violence involving the Soviet, the Mujahideen and the Taliban; how their sweet innocent lives are pillaged by betrayal, pain and miseries; how they come together, learn to like each other and how they support each other. Have no doubts – this is a tragedy, albeit a beautiful one. Many of my friends (including my dear wife) often question the whole concept of a tragic story being an entertainer (“don’t we have enough sadness in our lives? Shouldn’t we read something lighter/funnier?”)…but that’s the whole point with Khaled Hosseini. He can just weave a magical wand around the landscape, the recital of sweet memories, the narration itself, and make it, overall, a delightful experience. You cannot help but feel a slight “lightness” of heart, bitter-sweet combination of moroseness and happiness. This is it – quintessential Khaled Hosseini (well, as quintessential as is feasible with 2 books…smile…). I have to admit - since my expectations had been pumped up a bit, I was slightly let down in parts. My friends had told me that this is as good as (if not better than) the first. In retrospect, I feel that while this is a very strong book in itself, Kite Runner was certainly better. The key difference being that the main storyline was quite unique with Kite Runner; A Thousand…has a more mundane storyline, around oppressed lives of women. Also, I was mis-informed that the book covers a lot of Taliban atrocities. While there is a mention of the Taliban, this is a small component of the overall story. However, I am just nit-picking here. At the end of the day, this is most certainly a very good book. I strongly recommend you to pick it up. Happy Reading!!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-24 06:52:44.
(Language: English)
This is my first reading for the talented storyteller Khaled Hosseini, and I was amazed with it. My eyes watered when I read it, especially when I reached its end. I read little reviews saying that the novel is a bit long and it may be shortened. But I reply for these reviews that describing the suffering, the bad times, and the good times passing by the miserable Mariam and Laila, let the reader's heart live with them, in their happiness, in their sadness. Mariam and Laila, especially Mariam, reflect obviously how the woman in Afghanistan suffers for several decades. I do pity Mariam for being accused for a crime she has no hand in it, for being a harami, a bastard. As an Egyptian, I may claim that the woman passed by a similar dark age, exactly like that in Afghanistan. The woman suffers a lot from the violence of the parents, brothers, and husbands. The society we were bred in always has an inferiority look for the woman. They endured their sad life, and in my point of view they are extra-patient creatures not to revolt against their bad circumstances. At the same time, if they do so they will be worse treated. Finally, as a Muslim, I have to say that neither the Mujahedeen nor Taliban reflect the real face of Islam. In Islam principles we do respect the role of the woman in our entire life. There is no better evidence than the words our Prophet, Muhammad be peace upon him, said before his death. He said to his friends and to all the Muslims, I order you to with the good treatment of the woman. Islam does respect the motherhood and all its responsibilities. What a better rank the mother could take more than that ALLAH extends the paradise underneath her feet. These factions of Mujahedeen and Taliban do wrong to Islam. Also similar groups do exist in other religions and we should not base our opinion on the actions of these groups. I would finally want to dislodge any negative reviews about Islam and that Muslims treat their women badly. All Muslims, and others from different religions, who treated the woman in such a way, have a deficiency in their faith and they should not be accounted as the real image for the religion they belong.
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Ramakrishnan posted a review at 2009-06-01 07:47:42.
(Language: English)
This is the second novel from Khaled Hosseini, follow-up to the highly celebrated “Kite Runner”. I was most impressed by the Kite Runner, and picked up this one with a lot of expectations, trepidation and everything in between. This is a story of 2 Afghani women – how they grow up in middle of all the violence involving the Soviet, the Mujahideen and the Taliban; how their sweet innocent lives are pillaged by betrayal, pain and miseries; how they come together, learn to like each other and how they support each other. Have no doubts – this is a tragedy, albeit a beautiful one. Many of my friends (including my dear wife) often question the whole concept of a tragic story being an entertainer (“don’t we have enough sadness in our lives? Shouldn’t we read something lighter/funnier?”)…but that’s the whole point with Khaled Hosseini. He can just weave a magical wand around the landscape, the recital of sweet memories, the narration itself, and make it, overall, a delightful experience. You cannot help but feel a slight “lightness” of heart, bitter-sweet combination of moroseness and happiness. This is it – quintessential Khaled Hosseini (well, as quintessential as is feasible with 2 books…smile…). I have to admit - since my expectations had been pumped up a bit, I was slightly let down in parts. My friends had told me that this is as good as (if not better than) the first. In retrospect, I feel that while this is a very strong book in itself, Kite Runner was certainly better. The key difference being that the main storyline was quite unique with Kite Runner; A Thousand…has a more mundane storyline, around oppressed lives of women. Also, I was mis-informed that the book covers a lot of Taliban atrocities. While there is a mention of the Taliban, this is a small component of the overall story. However, I am just nit-picking here. At the end of the day, this is most certainly a very good book. I strongly recommend you to pick it up. Happy Reading!!!
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Mariam posted a review at 2008-02-09 05:22:00.
(Language: English)
My eyes overflowed during the final pages of "A Thousand Splendid Suns." It was desperately sad with moments of beauty that were also heartbreaking. I am not ashamed to admit that I was bawling my eyes out at the end. We all have our reasons for reading; sometimes I read for entertainment and most of the time to increase my knowledge. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a rare book that does both of those things, plus touches your heart as well. Previously, I didn't know much about the political turmoil in Afghanistan and the various factions vying for power. I knew women had an appalling time living under the Taliban regime, but I didn't realize how horrible conditions really were. The childbirth section will fill you with horror. I also learned of the natural beauty of Afghanistan and her fascinating history. Sometimes we often forget how much we truly have to be thankful for. This novel paints a picture of life in the midst of a civil war and under an oppressive regime. It’s simply another Hosseini-classic, it left me the feeling of bathing in blood and I cannot seem to be able to get rid of it. It isn't light entertainment by any stretch of the imagination. The writing style produces an almost melancholy air right from the start. The treatment of women and the impact of the troubled times in Afghanistan is heart-wrenching. It's compelling and captivating and yet extremely sad (it’ll bring tears to your eyes and lump to your throat). It is a wonderful and moving story about the power of love; the bonds of friendship, the love of country, and the struggle to survive. It was so painful to read, I had to stop many at times. Following the lives of two Afghani women, Mariam and Laila, as they move from children to adults. The book spans 30 years, beginning with the Soviet invasion and ending with the overthrow of the Taliban. It's difficult to explain more of the story without spoiling the plot, but these two women go from being enemies to unlikely friends. I find Mariam and Laila to be two very real, interesting characters. I felt for them and became a very real part of their struggles over the course of the book, especially sharing a name with one of the characters! Not to mention the author’s vivid descriptions which are such that make you feel like you’re a spider on the wall observing these women's lives, much of which is full of sadness and degradation. The ending was very bittersweet. I just wish Mariam had a chance to experience a better life.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-19 09:23:40.
(Language: English)
War is hell. It tears bodies and families apart. It strikes at the worst times. It forces strangers together in the most intimate and humiliating ways. It destroys innocents with cruel indifference and passes harmlessly over the truly culpable. It leaves a trail of tears over the land, its people and time with barely a ray of hope for anyone. Such is the world of A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, Khaled Hosseini's second remarkable book.Like THE KITE RUNNER, this story is set in Hosseini's native Afghanistan during the roughly 30 years beginning in the early 1970s, when the country was at peace and 15-year old Mariam was still a young village girl living a hard life with her bitter mother and a rich, sometimes affectionate father she rarely sees and barely knows. The story follows through the years of Soviet occupation and the holy warriors -- mujahideen -- who resisted them and the later years of the Taliban who took their place and imposed their heinous collective will upon women in the name of God. It introduces us to the young, smart and beautiful Laila and shows us how her life becomes intertwined with Mariam's. It forces us to endure the treacherous brute Rasheed and the oppressive shadow he casts over all their lives. Finally, the arrival of al-Qaeda and a new kind of war. Hosseini combines historical fact and imaginative plot twists with the same skill of the master story teller Bette Bao Lord in SPRING MOON. This book at times is as emotionally difficult to bear as the lives of the characters you come care for, but the ray of optimistic light that sometimes pours through is as dazzling as a thousand splendid suns.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-22 05:08:36.
(Language: English)
Though a well-written book, I for one have decided not to go ahead with reading 'the kiterunner'(again as i happened to read this latter one first). Not just for the plain reason that I cant stand gory tales-though much more a reality in this case, but also for the sheer infuriation I went through while reading it. The fact that women in some parts of the world are still subject to such atrocities and humiliation is regretful. As you proceed getting absorbed in the lives of the female protagonists mariam and laila you can really feel their agony and helplessness...the pain and inflicted upon them. That apart, The justification of US attack on Afganistan given by Mr. Hosseini is something I dont buy. An act of mass massacre can never be glorified be it for whatever reasons..... Read it for the art of story telling- and be prepared 2 have something to pacify yourself if you get too carried away.... :) Though a well written book, this one helped me make up my mind not 2 read the kite-runner(again can't help- read this one firt). Just the sheer infuriation I went through whilr readin this intense desription of the kind of humiliation and violence women still suffer in some parts of it go gloomy. I for avoid reading such gory tales though much of a reality in this case. That apart, I do see a pro-anglicized inclination of Mr. Hosseini(possibly coz he takes refuge there) while presenting the us attacks on Afganistan as more than justified as the book closes. I percieve it as a biased judgement coz an act of violence at such a large scale can never be glorified....
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-25 10:02:02.
(Language: English)
Siguiendo con mi recorrido por la literatura del medio oriente, acabo de terminar este libro que cuenta la vida de dos mujeres afganas en el periodo comprendido entre la invasion sovietica y la invasion estadounidense, es decir, desde fines de los setentas hasta mediados de esta decada. Tal como Hoseeini lo hace en "Cometas en Cielo", pone el inmenso conflicto social, etnico, religioso y belico que se da en ese pais como un telon de fondo ominoso y triste para los dramas privados de los personajes, con una crudeza y realismo como pocas veces he visto en otras novelas.La historia ejemplifica en la vida de las dos protagonistas la dureza que representa vivir en paises con un profundo extremismo religioso, donde las mujeres carecen del mas minimo de los derechos humanos. Pero a pesar de las enormes injusticias que se cometene contra ellas, a lo que se suma la matanza sin fin proveniente de distintos bandos por las numerosas guerras que asolan al pais, ellas logran encontrar razones para seguir luchando y mantener la esperanza en un mejor futuro para ellas y sus hijos. El autor no hace concesiones y continuamente ataca al lector con nuevos golpes dramaticos, pero tiene una gran capacidad narrativa, lo que ayuda a seguir adelante con una novela que a ratos resulta muy angustiante. Sin embargo, termina siendo una experiencia reconfortante, ya que el mensaje que queda es que todo sacrificio por amor a la familia es poco. Y es algo por lo que vale la pena seguir viviendo.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-13 02:53:43.
(Language: English)
If The Kite Runner was like a Helter-Skelter, this book is like a bungee jump. If you read his first book, you will have a good idea what to expect, but be warned; A Thousand Splendid Suns also contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence that I found harrowing. The story follows the style of the Kite Runner, in that it concerns the camaraderie between two people, women this time, and is set in Afghanistan in the recent past. It is, quite simply, a masterful story, with adept twists in the plot that always made me eager to read the next page. Hosseini has extraordinary descriptive skills and an amazing skill for creating dramatic situations. Hosseini seems to driven in his writing by a fervent passion for Afghanistan, his country of birth. He holds nothing back in exposing the grim brutality of life for ordinary Afghan people, and his evident contempt for despotic governments. The book has welcome touches of humour as well. I laughed out loud at the notion of Taliban officials forcing an artist to paint trousers on to the legs of flamingoes in his pictures that they considered to be obscene. Finally, the book is strangely uplifting, for all its depictions of cruelty and drudgery. I can't do better than this summary from the Washington Post: "In case you're wondering whether A Thousand Splendid Suns is as good as The Kite Runner, here's the answer; No. It's better!" Finally
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-14 06:47:02.
(Language: English)
I enjoyed this book despite the sadness, bitterness and sheer desperation suffered by the two main characters it was a book I could not put down and was sad when I finished it as I kept wanting to read on This book deals with the plight of women in Afghanastin. It starts off before the Soviet invasion and spans right through to the American 'War on Terror' and the ousting of the Taliban. The two key characters are Mariam and Laila, the latter born in the 50s, the illigimate daugheter of the local successful business man, who impregnated her mother while she was working for him. The father who did play a part in Laila's young life and upbringing was ashamed of her existance so shooed them to the outskirts of the town where he contiuted to visit once a week but never took his illigimate daughter into the town. When she is 15 Mariam is quickly married off, through a terrible circumstance and marries the most bullisome man Rasheed and moves to Kabul to start her new life with him. He himself is a widower and father to a young son who drowned tragiclly. He is bitter and twisted and takes this out of Mariam. She is forced to do as he states, wear a burqua in public and be submissive to him. A few years after Mariam arrives in Kabul in the late 70's Laila is born to her liberal neighbours. Laila does not have the smoothest of lives with having to care for her poorly mother but she has a happy life, mostly carefree and has a very close bond with her father and a neighbour boy Tariq. Through more misfortune this time it's Laila who suffers and finds herself no choice but to marry the aformentioned bully Rasheed. Laila is more fiesty than Mairam and does not submit to him as willingly but she has a secret which she needs him to act as cover, even if he does not realilse this himself. At first there is a strained relationship between the two women but as time goes by and Laila's first child is born the women form a very close bond, almost to the extent of being mother and daughter. The book beautifly carries across their lives from one lady to the other. It is heart breaking and powerful to read the story of their awful lives. A truely great read. It will open the eyes to how exactly the women of Kabul and AFghanstan have risen and fallen throughout the past 40 years.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-08-06 09:50:35.
(Language: English)
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls. A story of two women, Mariam and Laila who are brought together through tragedy in each of their lives, and must face the torment of Rasheed who marries them both. Set in Afghanistan, the tale is threaded into the history of the country from the Russian occupation to the fall of the Taliban. I love this book. An emotive force drives the narrative that is grim and gritty but yet manages to hold hope always within the story, even though the despair should crush it to dust in the fist Khaled wields. The story arc is better than The Kite Runner, Khaled's first book. (Although that book is brilliant) Probably due to The Kite Runner being semi autobiographical with a plot twist at the end bolted on for fear of the story not standing in its own merit. My only slight criticisms are Khaled's use of adverbs where his writing is strong enough to hold up without their support, and I did loose connection with Mariam as a character for a while in the early bit of Part 3. He also succumbs to leaving the odd cliffhanger at the end of a chapter (chapter 16 for example) that might suit Dan Brown but seem out of place here. Khaled's strengths lie in his ability to make you care about his characters and his ability to immerse you in events with deft touches of his pen, rather than over doing the prose. For example: It hurts. It hurts to breathe. It hurts everywhere. A glass of water. A pink pill. Back to the darkness. He also takes you, like in The Kite Runner, into a world normally only viewed through news broadcasts. The culture and devastation of Afghanistan are brought to life through the simple tale of these two ordinary women. And whilst Rasheed covers their eyes in the mesh of the burqa, Khaled opens our eyes to the hearts within Afghanistan that beat with the same rhythm in hope and tragedy as in us all. So if you want a ,book that is beautiful, tragic and well written read, A Thousand Splendid Suns this summer. Khaled Hosseini is involved with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. To help or learn more about UNHCR visit www.UNrefugees.org.
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