A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a heart-wrenching story which provokes the reader to wonder on the harsh realities of history… real, actual history. The book touches on the burning subjects of inequality and injustice where people live on and on bearing the brunt of continuous tragedy. The plot is set around the 1970s.The narration chronicles the effects of the Soviet invasion, the subsequent consequences on Afghanistan… which includes the warfare among the local factions. When the Taliban comes to rule, the gunfire and brutality only increases.

 

The author vividly describes the dire situation of a torn nation where most obviously, children and women are the targets living each day in the confusion of hopelessness. The story focuses on the lives of two women who are born to see turbulence, personally and nation-wise. Mariam and Laila are the two wives of a man, Rasheed, who possesses the hardest of hearts due to his attitude on how he views women.

 

A Thousand Splendid Suns describes the unforgettable characters of Mariam and Laila who finally triumph in their love for each other; it is a great story of human endurance that must leave the reader to ponder on the inescapable truths of life.

 

The style of narration is racy and masterful. Daily Telegraph says, 'A Suspenseful epic.' Financial Times says, 'A Triumph.'

 

Khaled Hosseini left Afghanistan in 1976. He lived in Paris for 4 years, and later shifted to northern California where he was in the field of medicine for 10 years. Now he devotes all his time to writing. His debut novel, The Kite Runner has been the bestselling work. He has also written: And The Mountains Echoed.

Geeta Chhabra