A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini - 5*

[Elise]

The story starts in a small village in Afghanistan in the 1970s, where a young girl tries in vain to get accepted by her father (she’s a bastard), and eventually gets married off, at age 15, to a much older man from Kabul. Then we follow another young girl, years later, in Kabul, who through a series of circumstances will end up married to the same man. We follow these two women, Mariam and Laila, over a span of decades, during the multiple wars that tore apart their country.

I loved this story to bits. Like the other story by Hosseini, The Kite Runner, it is beyond touching and you can’t help but be extremely moved by the characters and their plights. I was moved to tears at the end, it was so beautiful. I’m so in awe of the author for creating such a story–especially with two female characters.

I also learned so much about the whole historical context, the Taliban and everything. I’d seen part of it reading Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, but this was even more in depth I found, especially when it comes to how women were affected.

I know a lot of people here have already read this, but for those who haven’t, I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Jason]

Great review. One of my favorites. I loved learning the historical aspect because everything i thought I knew was either partial truths or plain false.

[Jen]

I loved this book but too. It’s probably my favorite of his books

[LibraryCin]

This is my favourite by him. I gave it 5 stars when I read it a few years back, as well!

[Jen]

Actually, I think my favorite is the mountains Echoed. I’m getting all mixed up

[Susie]

And the Mountains Echoed is my clear favourite. I did really like this, but Mountains was next level for me.

[JoLene]

I really need to read this one. Maybe for Nicole’s diversity challenge.

[Nileema]

Loved this book too - it really left an impression and I'm always recommending it to other readers!