In this inspiring novel, Khaled Hosseini depicts the difficult life of the average Afghani woman. This heart-wrenching story is about two strong young women, Laila and Mariam, who have endured countless unspeakable events. Their whole lives revolve around loss and abuse. Mariam’s mom was suicidal, her dad was a cruel, heartless liar, and her suitor was ungrateful and extremely abusive. Laila’s story wasn’t any merrier. When Mariam and Laila met after the death of Laila’s parents, they formed a powerful and unbreakable bond in which they were able to provide droplets of happiness and hope in each other’s lives.
Many of the events that occurred in this novel were so excruciating that I could not bear to read any further. At times, I could not suppress a few tears. The author’s syntax and choice of details to include added great depth to his writing and aided him in attaining his desired impact on the reader. I would only recommend this book to someone if they are willing to endure the burden of holding the memory of what occurred to these two unfortunate women. Overall, I would give A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, a 10/10 because it is one of the few books that I have read in which the author was able to fully achieve perspicuity.
Reviewed by RO, Grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library
2 comments:
This astonishing novel has four parts, the first centering on the protagonist Mariam's life and the second focusing on the protagonist Laila's life as both of them try to live life as women in a Muslim country. Parts three is how Mariam and Laila's relationship blossoms and they become inseparable like a mother- daughter. Mariam's father is Jalil, a very wealthy man, and her mother gave birth to her after having an affair with him. Mariam and her mother live secluded from the world and Jalil visits Mariam every Thursday. On her 15th birthday she asks her father to take her to see a movie at his theater and later meet her half- siblings, he agrees but does not show up. She decides to go to his house but her mother pleads her not to go, even threatening to kill herself. Mariam does not pay attention to her mother and when she goes to her father's house he does not let her in. Mariam goes home to find her mother dead which leads her father to arrange a marriage for her with a man thirty years her senior. Her husband Rasheed had lost a child and now that Mariam continuously has miscarriages their marriage falls apart and becomes abusive.
Laila's father is a man who believes that women should have many more rights than they are given and that the Soviets being there in Afghanistan is the best thing for the women in Afghanistan. Laila's mother has never been the same ever since her brothers went out the fight the war and became even worse after their death. Laila falls in love with a boy named Tariq who tells her that he must leave the country and that she should come to, she however declines. Laila's mother did not want to leave the country because that is where her sons were buried, but after Laila almost dying she decides to leave the country. The day they were to leave a bomb exploded killing Laila's parents. Mariam finds Laila and Rasheed and her take care of her. Rasheed decided to marry Laila which creates a hateful tension between Laila and Mariam. However, they learn that they are both victims and their relationship blossoms.
As a feminist A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini, in my opinion, is one of the greatest books ever written. It talks about women's lack of rights and difficult lives they have to live in Muslim countries. The way they are treated by their husbands and government is something that no women should ever go through. This book is very powering and every body should read it. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Reviewed by AJ, Grad 11
Grandview Library
Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” is a portrayal of not only heartbreak and the destruction that war can bring, but also of the importance of perseverance. The novel follows two protagonists, Mariam and Laila, as they navigate through times of war in Afghanistan. Through his novel, Hosseini shows not only the worsening prejudice women face in Afghanistan due to wars, but also how, even in dark times, families are the key to hope and a better future.
For me, Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns” not only gave me great insight on the conditions of war that have happened in Afghanistan, but also showed me how important it was for women to attempt to be a more prominent presence in society. As a woman myself, I believe that everyone has the right to be educated, to go where they want to, to do what they want to do, to be heard, and to be seen. Hosseini showed how Afghan society has attempted to squash some of those rights for women: the women weren’t allowed to speak, go out alone in public, wear what they want, and did not even have access to some healthcare facilities. They were severely restricted and used, without their consent, and conditions were hard for them. I would definitely recommend this book to other teens and adults because I believe it is important to bring to light these important issues regarding women and because the book itself is extremely entrancing to read.
Reviewed by SJ Y, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library
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