A Thousand Splendid Suns

I just finished Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns.  I am a 9th and 10th grade English teacher and I teach The Kite Runner.  It has become one of my favorite books.  Hosseini's ability to create dynamic characters who are not only flawed, but also, sympathetic draws me in even after reading it for the 100th time.  His use of metaphor and simple, but eloquent descriptions make me think, "I wish I would have written that!"  You know the writing is good when you actually say those words out loud.

I finally got around to reading his second book this summer and it didn't disappoint either.  His choice to create a novel from the viewpoints of Afghani women was fascinating.  He sheds light on a serious gender issues in Afghanistan.  The characters are strong, vulnerable, and emotionally complex.  I was invested in them from the start.  My only gripe would be that the plot development of A Thousand... is not on par with The Kite Runner.  At times, it moves slowly and the objectives of the characters aren't completely defined.  But overall, it is a compelling read.  I highly recommend it!1