A Thousand Splendid Suns
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A thousan splendid suns
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Mumani
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rated it 1 star
Oct 02, 2009 11:04AM
this book was terrible, it just reinforced the same old stereotypes of Muslims- as per usual the 'moderate' muslims were the heroes and a few hard done by women thrown in for good measure. I read his other book and it had the same philosophy of the western afghani being the hero BUT it was an excelent story and written beautifully which overshadowed the politically correct ethos embedded in it. This novel however was far from the first one and paled in comparison- I hated it. Lets break the stereotype shall we and write about a traditional fully practsing Muslim withoutwestern charcteristics who is still a hero- they do exist- only not in Hosseinis mind...
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What I personally loved about this book was that it provided a unique insight into the history of the region and what has contributed to events of today. I personally think it dispelled the typical stereotypes rather than reinforced them. The author used a great contrast of characters.
I have to agree with Brad’s post above. This will be an extremely memorable book for me. It was a great historical view into that part of the world that I previously knew nothing more than what the media constantly portrayed on the news, which we all know is never the full story. I appreciated that the author showed us that even though things may be going on in the world around us… people are still trying to carry on. Trying to live, love, be loved. That we all experience, no matter where we are from, some of the same things in life. Heartache, hardship, betrayal, death, loss. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you could find something in this book to be touched by and relate to. Underneath it all, stripped bare, we can relate to each other’s hardships.
I loved the book and also learned about the country's background and history, something I knew nothing about. The stories in both books were very sad and beautiful at the same time. I don't really understand the problem, but I'm also not muslim so I don't have an opinion on whether or not it reinforced stereotypes. Because the author is from Afganistan I figured it was pretty legit.
I agree with Brad's post.I think you can interpret it many different ways. Being a women (and some of a feminist) I was frustrated with the treatment of women in this book. I know I will step on some toes saying this BUT I think they use their religion as a way to suppress women. (Which isn't much different from the way things were and sometimes continue in the in our own culture).
This book created a sense of compassion for the Muslim women and and frustrated with their men.
I didn't think this was so much about the Muslims as about the radical Taliban who took over Afganistan. The good authors write what they know. If you read this author's biography, then you can better understand how he came to write the two novels he has. I can agree with Mumani above that I would like to get the more mainstream, moderate view of the Muslims. That story, added to what I've read, would give me a better balance.
I loved this book, unlike his first one. I enjoyed the historical aspects of both books, but I found the MC in Kite Runner too unlikeable for me to ever get into the book as I did the second one. I thought ATSS was beautifully written, a bittersweet love song to the country's past. And I have seldom seen a male writer pull off women characters in such a compassionate, believable way. I'm a skeptic when it comes to men writing women (I usually find something they say offensive and put the book aside), but I thought Hosseini pulled it off.
I agree with everyone except Mumani.This book WAS about radical Taliban and about radical Islam...It can be generalized to include any country where women are suppressed like in Iran and Saudia Arabia AND where radical Islam is in power (like the Ayotollahs and the Wahabis of Saudia Arabia. I don't think a Western author could have written a book that portrayed such events. Hosseini and many others have documented similar events as to what happened when the Soviets left and the Taliban came in. I really appreciated this book as I learned a tremendous amount about Afghanistan.
I think if you enjoyed Hosseini's books you might also enjoy Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa - it is a little tough to get into for the first 3--50 pages, and in the end the author gets a little political but the basis and history of the book was great.
Love the discussion. It’s so interesting to read other’s views. I’m curious though, did anyone learn anything or take away anything, feel anything besides the obvious political aspects? Where there any connections to the feelings or experiences of the characters?
I loved this book and recommended it to everyone. I agree it gave insight into a world I really know little about. The history as well with Taliban was fascinating. When I was finished reading it I did feel as sense of appreciation at being an American woman having the freedoms and liberties so many other women do not have in other countries ( not just Muslim).
That book also made me see how sometimes...things get so bad you are willing to tolerate the lesser of two evils in a way....that's where extremists like Taliban or Communism get the fuel to keep their fires going.
This Book really moved me. I mean the pain, the suffering...all of it touched me immensely. I agree to a certain extent that Muslims are stereotyped, But in my view, this wasn't one of those. Apart from it being about the muslim or the afghan community, I also felt a certain connect with the women in the story. The situation they were in is just really sad. I can't begin to imagine the terror. I feel, such women are really strong who are weighed down by men like that!This book is highly recommended.
Good question, Debbie. I loved the book, for multiple reasons. Aside from the political aspect, I thought the characters portrayed so beautifully friendship, loyalty, betrayal, guilt, and all the mixed emotions that go along. Very touching.
I loved this book as well, more than the Kite Runner in fact, and agree with many of you. I really loved how it showed the women's unflagging determination and spirit throughout. They were very remarkable women who had to put up with inhumane and unjustifiable situations.
Good book, can explore emotional feeling...love this book
Lena wrote: "I loved this book, unlike his first one. I enjoyed the historical aspects of both books, but I found the MC in Kite Runner too unlikeable for me to ever get into the book as I did the second one. I..."I agree fully. I don't think there are many male authors out there who can write women characters. John Irving (at least for the first 20 years of his writing career) and Larry Mc Murtry come to mind also.
I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I find the author's characters (specifically the female characters) a bit flat. Also, the plot as it pertained to the female characters was disappointing. Seems like the biggest hurdle for the main female characters in both books was infertility, as if every woman's dream is to be a mommy. (I realize that's a lot of women's dream, but it seems a bit contrived to use it in *two* books which already share so many themes.)
I loved this book, i didn't associate it with Muslims at all, it was well written, it had a good storyline, it depicted some aspects of life in Afghanistan but the story was from only one family perspective, it wasn't written as a historical novel. Its a good book and enjoyable to read.
I loved this book. I read it in a day, and really really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book. As Lena mentioned before, I had a hard time reading Kite Runner because I had a hard time relating to the main character and his actions. I was able to make that connection with this book. I thought they were very believable. (Great job by the author. Not every male author is so convincing) it gave me an insight to personal struggles that every culture deals with. I liked the touches of history and culture. This book definitely made me appreciate my home, life, and the opportunities available to me.
I also loved this book much more than I loved the Kite Runner. It opened a whole new, unfamiliar world to me; the other side of the shallow media. I love reading historical fiction because I want to enjoy and learn something new at the same time (lazy me ;)) and, in this case, I got plenty of both!
The book had good characters, a believable realistic plot somethink I felt kite runner lacked, and a good message, but something was still adrift in this book. It all seemed a bit rushed, to really feel the history and culture, but then it was probably produced for mass target audience and succeeds in that endeavor and probably just as well, because at least you'll come away learning something.
Well,I loved the book,especially because it focuses on the friendship that grows between two women so different but yet so similar in a lot of ways.for me,when a book makes the reader not want to put it down,it is sucussful.and a thousand splendid suns was that kind of book for me.
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