Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Some books come along and move through your life, ones you can relate to, or can simply enjoy. In the case of A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, it didn't move through my life, it moved inside my heart and hasn't left me. Although I know many people are much more familiar with Hosseini's previous work The Kite Runner (which I also really loved), I actually think that this second novel reached me and has left a permanent mark. Before I get sidetracked though...

Synopsis: Set in modern-day Afghanistan, we are introduced into the lives of two indomitable women, Mariam and Laila. Mariam was the daughter of a single woman who had Mariam with a married, wealthy theater owner in town. Her father, who she always felt really loved her, was embarrassed by her "bastard" status, failed to claim her as his daughter and married her to, in my estimation, the highest bidder.

Laila comes into the picture down the road, the product of a loving home, but with a mother who has a debilitating case of depression over the loss of her two oldest sons. Laila is left to spend her days with her father and best friend Tariq, both of whom she loves. After the Taliban rise in power, Tariq's parents beg him to take them out of Afghanistan to escape, but he has grown to love and care about Laila. He is forced to leave her behind, after which a series of horrible tragedies leave Laila completely alone and abandoned in a city being overrun and constantly bombed by rival neighborhoods and factions. It is at this point that Laila and Mariam's lives intersect to bring about the events that unfold in not just the political upheaval of Afghanistan, but also to demonstrate the everyday lives of women of that country.

Review: To say that I was moved and transformed by this novel is to put it mildly. As a woman, I obviously see the domestic lives that other women live to be fascinating. In this case, the lives of Mariam and Laila horrified me. I found the emotional distance of the men in the story to be disturbing, hypocritical, and saddening. Cultural or not, the Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde created by a culture that both needs yet denigrates women is troubling. Mariam and Laila are strong women, but when faced with a complete dependence on the men in their lives for their existence, even the strongest can push aside their own needs and desires to keep the peace and to simply survive.

In many sections of the book, I found my stomach in knots over the misunderstandings and mistreatments of its characters. I tried desperately to understand why a husband would beat his wife over poorly cooked rice, shoving rocks into her mouth, and forcing her to crunch down on them to make a point. I tried to comprehend a father ignoring his daughter's presence, allowing her to sleep outside in a yard all night, rather than acknowledging her existence. I tried to understand a system of government that would monthly, weekly, and even daily enter a person's home to take away goods and possessions that came from the "West." In general, I tried to be open to the culture and story being told. In the end though, as a human being and woman, my emotions were wrung to their ultimate level and I found myself crying at times, and even boiling with rage at others. More than anything, I wanted justice for the people of Afghanistan. I wanted Mariam and Laila to find happiness and PEACE. I wanted to see some sort of tied up conclusion that could pull together the loose ends of my agony over all I'd read. Thankfully, Hosseini was able to conclude the story in a believable way that didn't dishonor the characters nor merely gloss over the trials that all had been through. This is an amazing story, that is not easy to read, but well worth every second.

For more information: A Thousand Splendid Suns.

What books have you found transforming? What books could you not shake after reading them?

19 comments:

  1. I am going to have to buy both the books after this review. Thanks!

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  2. Great review. I loved this novel - I'll have to read it again!

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  3. I really need to get around to reading this book!

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  4. I loved this book too. It was incredibly affecting. I definitely think it had an even bigger impact on me than The Kite Runner because them main characters were women and I could relate to them so easily.

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  5. Great review! I read this a while ago and also found it to be quite affecting; however, I am in the minority when I say that The Kite Runner had a greater impact on me. I also liked the writing better in TKR.

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  6. This is an amazing story and one that I think every woman in America should read. Great review!

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  7. When this book came out I raced through it as I tend to do when I've eagarly awaited to read something.
    Later I had to go back and re-read it slowly because I found I couldn't stop thinking about it.
    It is unforgettable.

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  8. This book was great... It really makes one think about how lucky we are as women living here in the US. I have one other heartbreaker but it is a true acount and brings to light some of the terrors women face in other parts of the world. Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.

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  9. I loved this book, too...even more than The Kite Runner. Your wonderful review makes me want to reread it! I'll echo Shellie's recommendation of Infidel.

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  10. Pam & Kailana -- Yes, do read it! It's so good that I can't even say enough about it.

    Meghan -- I think it affected me more than KR as well.

    Cathy -- I wonder why that is? I had a student who said the same thing. They are both amazing, so they're pretty equal on that front! :)

    Jo-Jo -- Agreed. I've been thinking about whether I could teach it this fall. It would be a great one, or at least a great one to add to my suggested reading list for my World Lit. class.

    Dixie -- I should have raced out to get it! In a way though, I knew it wasn't going to be a passive read, and so I held off. I do wish I'd read it sooner, but either way, I'm glad I've finally read it! Thanks!

    Shellie -- I thought about the same thing. We really are very, very lucky. It also made me angry that women could be so demeaned...just by nature of being a female. We know we should be respectful of different cultures, but this blatant abuse of women was just wrong & painful to read! Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to look it up!

    JoAnn -- Thanks! I'm glad to have this extra suggestion. I'll have to go look it up. :)

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  11. Loved your review! I've always been on the fence about Hosseini for some reason...but you've definitely made me want to read this.

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  12. I LOVED this book as well as Kite Runner. Both were so very powerful.

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  13. I have both of these books and now after reading your moving review I'm going to have to read this one!!

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  14. I loved this book too, but after attending a book event with the author, I actually fell for it even more! Hosseini seems to be so honest and genuine, giving even more credibility to the story. I can't remember if I gave this link to you or not, but here's my review: http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/thousand-splendid-suns-by-khaled.html

    And, in case you are even more interested, here's my post about seeing Hosseini in person: http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2008/11/conversation-with-khaled-hosseini.html

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  15. This is a GREAT review! I have had this book on my TBR for ages and just haven't gotten around to reading it.

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  16. My feelings are so similar to what Meghan wrote - that as a woman A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS really struck me and stayed with me.

    Our book group honed right in on this in our discussion - Hosseini is very talented to be able to write so well in the women's voices.

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  17. Oh, I loved this book, too! I am so glad you did, too!

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  18. This is such an amazing book. Laila and Mariam have left such an indelible mark on my mind. It was such a pain reading Jalil's letter to Mariam...

    I think what Mariam did at the end will be something every woman should be proud of...

    A beautiful, beautiful book... Worth a read!!!:-)

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  19. It is a sad but beautiful story that teaches a lesson in life... never take anything for granted. If life has not treated you g,well, there will be always one person that can change your world and will make you smile. This book makes you want to learn more about the culture and the issues that involves these countries before and nowadays.

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