A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007)

😭😭😭 that was me while I was reading this. I had to keep stopping so I could take a breath. Such a sad sad story. It reminds me to be thankful that I live in a country where women are free. ( )

This review is of the audiobook edition read by Atossa Leoni.

A Thousand Splendid Suns examines some 30 years Afghanistan's history starting with the communist rule of the 1960s, moving through the battles of the warlords after the Soviet exit, moving into the rise of the Taliban and the subsequent American invasion, and then into the repatriation days of the early 2000s. It does this all through the eyes of two girls who grow to be women in a hostile environment where women are considered disposable.

As an audiobook, it was exceptional. The language is beautiful and hearing it read out loud, and by such a lovely voice, enhances that. I was so absorbed in the story that I disturbed some of my neighbors on my daily walk to the bus stop with periodic outbursts of "Run!", "I HOPE HE DIES", and occasional growling. While listening on Christmas morning during my shower, my husband, who could not hear the book only me, was greatly amused to hear the following: "KILL HIM. HIT HIM WITH THE SHOVEL. YOU FUCKING KILL HIM. YESSS BITCH."

While there was nothing about this that was revelatory for me and the darkness of it crossed the line of wearisome at times, I still give this book 5 stars by virtue of how drawn into it I was and the insight the author provides into the hearts, minds, and perspectives of Afghans.

Those who find themselves exceptionally disturbed by depictions of violence, particularly violence towards women, will likely find the content extremely distressing. ( )

I can honestly say that I enjoyed this more than his first. Very well written! ( )

A lengthy but riveting tale about a young Muslim girl's life through the war and the aftermath of it. A coming of age tale that brings together elements of religion and culture. ( )

This book covers 30 years of time in Afghanistan. The story is mainly about two women named Mariam and Laila and it follows them from childhood to adult hood. The book starts with the Soviet invasion and ends with the overthrow of the Taliban. The women are separated in age by about 14 years, but when Laila becomes a teenager, they are thrown together in a situation that brings them from being enemies to sisters. Along the way there is love, heartache, and death in both of their lives.



It is hard to describe too much about this book without giving away the plot, but I think this might be my favorite book of this year. It is going to be hard to beat, and it is only January. The Kite Runner was magnificent and ended up being my favorite book last year, and this book as equally as good. I had a hard time putting it down wanting to read just one more chapter. There is a love story for Laila that you fight for when the boy she loves is torn away from her. There is heartache for Mariam that you wish she could escape from, but she never can. And you learn a lot about what it was like for Afghani women during this time and are thankful for living where you do.



Run to get this book. It is a must read. ( )