A Thousand Splendid Suns
Ratings424
Average rating4.3
One of my favorite books and why I learned Dari. I actually have a copy of the book in Persian. I will re-read it again someday.
What a gorgeous, heartbreaking book. Just beautiful. There's so much here about the history of Afghanistan and the changing roles of women and interpersonal relationships. Just wonderful and sad.
Not quite as good as Kite Runner, but that may be because they are of a similar nature and I read Kite Runner first. The old Atlas Shrugged and Fountainhead effect.
At any rate, certainy worth reading.
A powerful and heartbreaking tale of two women struggling to survive and find happiness during the most tumultuous periods of Afghanistan. With war raging outside, Mariam and Laila faced an even more brutal existence within their own homes. The novel serves not only as a tale of caution, but also as a testament of the ability to persevere in horrifying circumstances.
Hosseini's second effort is equally good as his first. The story of the women of Afghanistan not only spans five decades, but also tells of the joys and horrors of growing up as a woman in a country known for its strict laws and conservative religion. The book was steeped in history but allows you to connect to the characters and understand their struggles. Great read with a compelling plot. Makes you want to do something good in the world.
Final Thoughts from my notes:
I'm kinda on the fence about this one, because there were times when the book felt difficult to read. I remember reading it when I was in high school and the story sat with me for years and years, which made me want to pick it up again when I saw it sitting on the shelf at my local Savers. I wandered into the book aisle and looked at what sat on the shelves — hoping to find this book, which was a required reading for my English class at my high school.
I found this book and Hosseini's “Kite Runner,” which I never read but always wanted to after reading this book.
Now during my reread, I still found myself mad at the same characters. I also liked the themes of grief, love, war and the way it affects civilians, the history of Kabul and Afghanistan. A collective grief — there was a scene/lines that really stuck with me, especially this one:
“'I'm sorry,' Laila says, marveling at how every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet, she sees, people find a way to survive, to go on.” (p.350)
Beautiful. The portrayal of older days of Afghanistan before it turned into a pile of ash and rubble. The story of two brave women who find comfort in each other amidst all the terror surrounding them.
A book coma after so long.
Cannot seem to get the characters out of my head.
For the longest time I had avoided reading this one.
Why?
Because knowing Hosseini's writing, I knew its going to stay with me for the rest of my life, as the Kite Runner had.
His characters are beautifully innocent and yet all knowing. He draws you in with the smooth flow of his words and then the next moment, you can hardly believe what you have just read. Clutching the book as you silently weep for a fictional character.
His words have power to move even the toughest of hearts.
Forever a fan.
PS.
Is it even a Khalid Hosseini book if it doesn't make you cry?
Counting this as my Afghanistan book around the world.
Really well written and well executed novel. Extremely powerful tale of female friendship, solidarity, and selflessness.
Second re-read. A Thousand Splendid Suns was so eye-opening to me the first time that I read it and it is such a rich and beautiful book. It made me think of the women in Afghanistan and all that they endured because of not only war but because of the brutal and restrictive regime of the Taliban. Even in the present, it is so devastating to think of all the women under the Taliban. I don't think I could do justice in words to how tragic these events are. A very abrupt ending because i truly am at a loss of words for how tragic it is
This book makes you appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. Being able to work, to laugh in public, to dance. Wonderful story - i enjoyed it more then The Kite Runner.
still to this day i have never ugly cried reading a book like i did reading this one
I think this (and Kite Runner also) is an important book to read. While still fiction, Khaled Hosseini does a good job at painting how awful life has been for citizens living in conflict regions like Afghanistan. It isn't a happy book, not even in the slightest, but it is a powerful one.I think my only other comment to add about this book (because other reviews have said much the same things I feel about it) is that I think I prefer [b:The Kite Runner 77203 The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1579036753l/77203.SY75.jpg 3295919] to this one just a little bit. While everything included in A Thousand Splendid Suns is legitimate and believable, it's extremely unrelenting and feels like it could have been better paced. I don't remember The Kite Runner feeling like you're constantly sliding from one bad moment to the next like how this book felt.It's still an extremely good book, highly recommend.
this isn't an actual review since I read it in May of last year (it is now January)
my mother is currently reading this. I haven't said anything, because I hate talking about books outside of my disgusting, old computer. this is especially uncomfortable because I know what happens at the end and she is already sad. I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING
send help
Beautifully written story about the hardships women face living in Afghanistan. Even better than The Kite Runner.
Hosseini edifies with his historically accurate backgrounds, and knowledge of Afghan culture. He moves the reader with poignant prose about the sacrifices parents make in the hopes of giving their children a better life than their own.
In this, just his second book, Hosseini has become a must read.
Difficult to rate because while it was well written and engaging, the story is utterly horrific and brutal, so not a particularly enjoyable experience.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. I am............speechless. After reading this book most of the books I have read in the past that I gave five stars to, seem to pale in comparison to this masterpiece. What a breathtaking journey Hosseini has brought to life in the pages of this book. It was definitely not an easy read, far from it, but what I got in the end was more valuable than gold. This book has taught me so many things and I will carry it with me for as long as I live, that's how deeply profound and meaningful it truly is.
This story centers around two girls, Mariam and Laila and how their lives intertwine and leave permanent marks on the other. There was a heavy historical component to this book and even though I'm not usually crazy into those, in this case I loved every moment of it and it taught me many things I did not know and opened my eyes to a lot. I feel like this book should be a requirement to read because even though it ripped my heart wide open and made my cry like I've never cried for a book before, it left me a better person and made me ponder.....everything I've ever known or believed about life.
To begin with, the way this story is told, it is easily the best written book I have ever read in my whole life. The way that Hosseini is able to paint a scene so vividly, take us straight into the middle of the action, make us feel and see exactly what the character is seeing, that's an experience like no other. I will definitely be reading the other books by this author, if only just for the writing because it was something on a whole other level that I've never come across before in my life.
Secondly, the characters are vivid and real and will live on in my heart and soul for the rest of my life, of that I am sure. I seriously feel as though I have taken this heartbreaking and breathtaking journey along with them and they are now forever part of me. They are some of the most complex, intricate beings I have encountered, even in real life, and we get a complete picture of them, right down to the very deepest parts of their soul.
Further on, the plot, going along with the mesmerizing writing is something out of this world. It's so intricate, intimate, winding and gives us a full journey into the lives of these two amazing heroines. Even if their lives weren't full of fancy things and materialistic aspects, that's what made them even more breathtaking, their trials and tribulations are beyond anything I can even fathom and it really reminded me not to take anything for granted. All of the obstacles they had to overcome, it really puts everything into perspective and makes it clear that the most important things we need in life are within us.
In conclusion, this book would easily make it into the top five best books I have ever read in my whole entire life, if not the best. I would recommend it to EVERYONE and I will, especially those readers who want to be moved and transformed from their reading experience. It is definitely not an easy read, in terms of the topics that are covered but the writing is beyond flawless and there are vital truths in this book that we often forget or completely lose sight of today's world. Please, just read this book.
This book is more of one traumatic and sad event after another with no time to process or with no happy events in-between that would make you feel hopeful. I felt it lacked some character development and some focus on how these events affect the characters.