A Thousand Splendid Suns
By: Khaled Hosseini (published in 2007)The book focuses on the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila as they struggle through the tragedies that occur throughout their lives. The story is very real, sad and interesting at the same time.
The book provides insight into Afghanistan's violent history from the eyes of a middle class woman as she performs the daily routine that she goes through each day. It provides a three-dimensional picture of life there instead of only what we hear on the news. The terrorism and violence become more horrible, being able to relate to them more closely.
The story spans two generations, from around 1960 to 2003. When Mariam, the older protagonist in this novel is married at the age of fifteen to a man that is cruel, she is forced to wear a burqa, is physically and verbally abused, and lives in fear of his unpredictable tempers.
For the reader of books with happy endings or where everything always goes right, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' provides a different experience, providing insight into what life is like for less fortunate people by a very authentic story. I appreciate the real feelings in the sad story compared to something that is superficial or fake.
This book has made me realize that I could be living in much worse conditions and appreciate that I am very fortunate. Though not finished the book, I look forward to what happens next and whether the two women obtain any happiness in their lives.