A Thousand Splendid Suns - is it very sad?

[~Annaki~]

I just got it from the library and am about to start reading, but one of the quotes on the front cover says "Heartbreaking", so now I am not so sure if I should read it, as I get really depressed if I read books with a lot of death and disease and sad, depressing endings. Should I ditch it? I really wanted to read it :(

[~Annaki~]

(I was ok with The Kite Runner)

[Peggy]

It's been a while since I read it, but it made a huge impression on me and actually motivated me to start volunteering work with war refugees (which I had been considering for a time but never took action). It's about war and refugees so definitely sad, but I think if you're ok with The Kite Runner, this should be fine too.

Oh wait, I just reread my review (which was quite extensive for me: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) and perhaps this was harder to read than The Kite Runner (like I said, it's been a while ;-)). I wrote that I had to put it away at times for a few days because I found it too hard to read, and it also made me actually cry, both of which rarely happen when I read, BUT there's also hope in it and it's a truly beautiful book.

I think though it impacted me extra hard as it's a topic I'm very passionate about, and when I was reading it I was also reading some other war stories (on HONY) and all that together made it quite intense.

[Sarah]

I've not read it so cannot comment unfortunately.

Just thought I'd mention that we have the thread "Shall I skip it? Yes you can!" now where you can ask about specific books. For future reference. I think I turned one of your old posts in to it actually if I recall correctly. It just means we can keep things all in one place.

[Peggy]

Thanks for reminding us Sarah! I had no idea that thread existed.

[Sarah]

No worries. I know that many of us have asked the advice of others as to whether to continue a book or not. It makes sense we have somewhere to ask it rather than in random places - that way we can refer back to it if required.

[~Annaki~]

Sarah wrote: "I've not read it so cannot comment unfortunately.

Just thought I'd mention that we have the thread "Shall I skip it? Yes you can!" now where you can ask about specific books. For future reference...."

Oh dang, sorry, I had forgotten about that thread!

Peggy- thanks! It sounds like I will be okay with it then. The refugee crisis is also close to my heart. I can handle that sort of sad a bit better, because there is some element of hope in it, you can take action and make a difference. As opposed to someone losing their only child to an incurable disease.

[Peggy]

Let me know what you think of it Annaki!

[Annerlee]

I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to reading sad books, but I would still recommend reading this one. It IS heart rending, painful, but also beautiful and full of insight and ultimately hope.

I would definitely recommend it.

[~Annaki~]

Thanks guys :)