A Thousand Splendid Suns

(Review By Vaz Andrea Dominic St. Vincent College Pune) “A Thousand Splendid Suns” has garnered widespread acclaim for its powerful message and compelling storytelling. It intrigues the reader keeping them at the edge of their seats with its gripping story sequence. It is incredibly suspenseful which makes it exciting.

The novel portrays the harsh realities faced by Afghan women, including domestic violence, forced marriages, and the denial of women rights and altogether human rights.
Yet, amidst this darkness, Hosseini also illuminates the resilience of the human spirit. Mariam and Laila, despite facing unthinkable hardships, find renewed strength in their shared experiences and develop a profound bond of sisterhood.
There is stark imagery used in the novel.

Set in the background of Afghanistan’s tumultuous past filled with wars, Khaled Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a captivating novel that tells the stories of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, whose lives are shaped by war, oppression, suppression and many constraints set by the Taliban rule. This novel delves into impacts of war on individuals and communities, and the ever-enduring power of human connection.
The story starts in the outskirts of Herat .
Mariam, an illegitimate child, born out of wedlock to Nana, has a life full of poverty and hardships. She goes in search of her father to the city who on her birthday abandoned her. However, in deep spite of Mariam’s actions, her mother suicides. Mariam is then forced into marriage at a young age by her father to the much older Rasheed, a widowed shoe maker in Kabul.
This marks the beginning of her life dominated by abuse. Over a series of seven miscarriages, Rasheed turns hateful towards Mariam and treats her like dirt .
On the other hand, Laila, Mariam’s neighbor , has a more privileged family, educated and supportive. Their paths cross when Laila seeks refuge in Rasheed’s house after blast killing her parents rendering her homeless. She is left to the mercy of Rasheed and marries him. She faces mistreatment initially from Mariam ,Rasheed’s wife, once Laila is taken as Rasheed’s second wife. But over the course of the novel , they grow closer and form a mother daughter bond. Together they struggle and try to escape the tormenting lives. Through a murder, they are set free and one escapes to a better land while the other bears the brunt.
The novel is ridden in deep plot twists and budding romance between former lover of Laila who comes in search of her.
Hosseini’s masterfully portrays the intimate details of the women’s lives, their hopes, fears, and struggles, while simultaneously capturing
Afghanistan’s history under the Taliban’s rise to power and it’s war torn past.

Hosseini has penned vivid descriptions of the Afghan landscape, the sights, sounds, and smells of Kabul, and the psychological impact of war on the characters create a powerful and immersive reading experience. The narrative is peppered with Afghan proverbs and anecdotes, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

In conclusion, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a moving novel that sheds light on the lives of Afghan women and the challenges they face. Hosseini’s masterful storytelling, combined with the novel’s exploration of universal themes of love, loss, and resilience, makes it a compelling and incredible reading experience.