Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

AUTHOR:

Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to the United States in 1980. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and And the Mountains Echoed. Hosseini is also a U.S. Goodwill Envoy to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

INTRODUCTION

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini is a heart-wrenching and deeply moving novel that explores the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, during the tumultuous years of the Soviet occupation, civil war, and Taliban regime. This novel is a poignant portrayal of the struggle and resilience of Afghan women who have to endure the hardships of war, patriarchy, and oppression.In a turbulent tale , the women , though separated by age and initial hatred , form a bond to protect , survive and thrive.

THE INKED PAGES

The story takes place over several decades, starting with Mariam, a young girl born out of wedlock and her childhood in a small village outside of Herat. As the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, Mariam is ostracised by her community and lives a lonely and isolated existence. After her mother's death , she is forced into an arranged marriage with a much older man, Rasheed and is shoved into a world of domestic violence and oppression.

Years later, Laila, a young educated woman of 17 years of age from Kabul, is also forced into marriage with Rasheed after her family is killed in a rocket attack.Laila loses her best friend and childhood love , Tariq , and is distraught when she discovers her pregnancy and readies herself to protect the unborn. Mariam and Laila form an unlikely bond as they endure years of abuse and struggle to survive in a society that treats women as second-class citizens.

THE FIGHT FOR INNOCENCE AND FREEDOM

Mariam and Laila empathise with each other and soon realise their misfortune and the wrong that society had inflicted upon them.In a fight of bravery they decide to stand up for themselves and Laila’s everso young children,and run away from Rasheed’s tyrannic house .Caught in a tangled web of mishap and misery , they are forced to return to their house of ever-increasing torture. Tired of the abuse and torment they had faced over the years, the two women take action to protect their loved ones.

THE SACRIFICE

In a roll of events , the two women confide in each other and become each other's greatest hopes. They develop a mother-daughter bond that is ever so sacrificial. Never having known love in her life , Mariam takes it upon herself to prevent the same for Laila and her children. As the climax of the story hits , Mariam makes a decision that leaves the readers in a tear jerking wonder. The themes of sacrifice and love have never been more prominent than in the words of Hosseini.

A LINE DRAWN

Hosseini's writing is poignant and evocative, bringing to life the sights, sounds, and smells of Afghanistan. His characters are vividly drawn and feel like real people, with their fears, hopes, and desires. The author skillfully weaves together the personal stories of Mariam and Laila with the larger historical events that shape their lives.Throughout the novel, Hosseini explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Mariam and Laila's relationship is a beautiful example of female solidarity in the face of oppression. Their love for each other and their children give them the strength to endure the violence and brutality of war and the Taliban's repressive regime.

Overall, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that offers a powerful portrayal of the strength and courage of Afghan women. Hosseini's ability to capture the complexities of the human experience and bring to life the struggles of his characters is truly remarkable.This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the human cost of war and the struggles of women in patriarchal societies