Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns

I finished listening to Khaled Hosseini's second book, A Thousand Splendid Suns on Friday night but haven't had a moment to review it until now. I am such a tremendous fan of his first book, The Kite Runner, that I was too eager to wait in line at the library for a copy of his second book. There were 9 holds on the book, but only 1 on the audio-version.

I have to say it was very difficult to listen to. For one thing, I don't get much opportunity to travel alone in my van (this is where I primarily listen to books) and it was not appropriate for my MS to listen to. I finally began listening, in snatches, while taking my ES to and from his wrestling practices, and in longer stretches, while cleaning during naps or washing up dishes after dinner. I may also struggle with my descriptions, since I didn't have the benefit of visually seeing the character's names. If I had it to do over again, I would have waited for a copy of the book.

A Thousand Splendid Suns sucked me in from the very beginning, with the introductory tale of Mariam as a child, living an isolated life with her mother and craving the weekly visits from her father. Mariam's mother had been a servant in Mariam's father's home and when she became pregnant, it was disgraceful to this well-to-do, prominent family. So the father, Jaleel, built them a small hut outside of town.

Mariam's desire to be recognized as a legitimate part of Jaleel's family turns her life upside down. At age 15, she ends up being married off to a much older man who lives in Kabul. I found it very difficult to enter into the wretched conditions of her life and the lives of many women like her in Afghanistan.

It was, in many ways, a heartwarming story of a friendship that crosses generations and a testament to the strength and courage of women who endure hardships. However, I didn't feel that these characters drew me in as strongly or experienced the level of redemption offered in The Kite Runner. When I finished The Kite Runner, I immediately wanted to turn back to the first page and begin again. Although, I would read this novel again, I don't think I could handle reading it again for quite a few years. It was engaging from start to finish, but I found myself both depressed and enraged by the atrocities and injustices.

I will say that I continue to be a fan of Khaled Hosseini. He has crafted another epic novel with a sweeping story of two characters who come alive on the page and walk you into their world. He did a fabulous job of writing from a feminine perspective. At times the prose was so beautiful, I wanted to go back and read it again. It was powerful, though disturbing. A recommended read, but not an easy read.