A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
Description
Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry the troubled and bitter Rasheed, who is thirty years her senior. Nearly two decades later, in a climate of growing unrest, tragedy strikes fifteen-year-old Laila, who must leave her home and join Mariam's unhappy household. Laila and Mariam are to find consolation in each other, their friendship to grow as deep as the bond between sisters, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. With the passing of time comes Taliban rule over Afghanistan, the streets of Kabul loud with the sound of gunfire and bombs, life a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, the women's endurance tested beyond their worst imaginings. Yet love can move people to act in unexpected ways, lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism. In the end it is love that triumphs over death and destruction. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a portrait of a wounded country and a story of family and friendship, of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond, and an indestructible love.
Review
There are some books that just emphasize the reality of life and force you to count your blessings. Even though I tried my best to avoid spoilers, I knew it was a sad book. I was just not prepared for how much it would break me. The book is divided into four parts, The first one will infuriate you, the second will make you smile a little with hints of sadness but the third, the third will break you. I could feel my heart beating in my head.
Mariam didn't come to this life to enjoy and Rasheed is one of the worst things that has ever lived. I can't even say this book had a happy or sad ending, it was just an ending. Considering what's still going on in the world right now, I'm sure there are so many Lailas and Mariams and sadly a lot of Rasheeds.
Excerpts that made me close the book to breathe a little
Before they led her out, Mariam was given a document, told to sign beneath her statement and the mullah's sentence. As the three Taliban watched, Mariam wrote it out, her name-the meem, the reh, the yah, and the meem-remembering the last time she'd signed her name to a document, twenty-seven years before, at Jalil's table, beneath the watchful gaze of another mullah.
"Kneel," the Talib said. O my Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for you are the best of the merciful ones. "Kneel here, hamshira. And look down." One last time, Mariam did as she was told.
Review date:6th February, 2025
