After Khaled Hosseini’s first novel, The Kite Runner, catapulted him into the limelight, he followed it up with this beautiful story about two women in Afghanistan. It is a saga that tells us about how these two different people can form a bond even when they are separated by the most difficult circumstances.
Mariam and Laila are two women who have had very different lives. However, fate brought them together and the resulting story is heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. Throughout the book, the reader can see how these women overcome various obstacles and hardships in their lives. The author’s writing style is perfect for the stories that he tells, as it can be harsh when needed but also gentle and delicate at other times.
While much of the book is about Mariam and Laila, it also discusses what is happening in Afghanistan during these decades. It covers the Soviet invasion and the Taliban rule among other things. The author does a great job of integrating the historical events into the plot, so that it doesn’t feel like a history lesson or a framed window onto a human rights issue.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a powerful tale of two strong, courageous women who find ways to connect in the most difficult circumstances. It will leave you with a sense of hope and compassion for Afghanistan and its people. This is a book that everyone should read. It will make you think about what is really important in life.
