Book Review August 2024 - A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns -Khaled Hosseini (warning-some small spoilers ahead, major ones are noted before the paragraph so you can avoid!) Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

This was a fantastic read, a book I seriously struggled to put down. At 372 pages, I thought this may take a little while to complete given the heavy story line but I was very much mistaken and felt like I was racing through to unfold the story. I believe this is the first time I’ve rated a book 5/5 stars!

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a powerfully moving novel that spans over thirty years of turbulent history in Afghanistan, I was vaguely aware of such turmoil but I had never before fully appreciated it previously with it having been before my time/through my childhood. I certainly found myself looking at my own life and privileges in a totally new light with increased gratitude after reading this book.

The story centres on the intertwined lives of two women, Mariam and Laila, who come from markedly different backgrounds and families but are brought together by fate and shared hardship.

Mariam, whose childhood story opens the novel, is an illegitimate girl who grows up in a small village facing stigma and a desperate longing for her father's affection. After an horrific and tragic event, she is forced into an oppressive marriage with Rasheed, a much older man in Kabul. Initially she believes in the sanctity of marriage and hopes for love and validation from Rasheed in their marriage. As the relationship develops, it feels as though you watch Mariam’s hope and strength in character recede. As Rasheed's abusive behaviour becomes evident, and Mariam suffers repeated miscarriages, she slowly begins to sucome to her loveless partnership. With her faith dwindling, she becomes resentful as she learns to come to terms with her fate and realises she has no real way of escape.

Years later, Laila, a bright and beautiful girl from a loving family, also ends up in Rasheed's household under harrowing circumstances following the loss of her family and home due to the war. Conversely to Mariam, Laila grew up with a relatively privileged upbringing with supportive parents and the prospect of an education and bright future ahead. However, the Soviet invasion and the subsequent civil war shatter her world, leaving her without her family and totally dependent on the burtal Rasheed.

Initially wary of each other, Mariam and Laila eventually develop a deep bond of friendship and solidarity as they endure Rasheed's abuse. Together, they find strength and resilience, ultimately shaping each other's destinies in profound ways. In suppoerting Laila, and her children, Mariam's earlier strength and will return with abdundance.

The novel vividly depicts their struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of Afghanistan's political upheavals, from the Soviet invasion and civil war to the rise of the Taliban and the eventual hope for a better future. Laila’s resilience and determination grow as she discovers her inner strength, especially after the birth of her children. She becomes increasingly aware of the oppressive patriarchal society around her and finds solace and courage in her friendship with Mariam. Together they grow, despite their surrounding turmoil and opprension.

Hosseini's narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, suffering, and the enduring spirit of women facing adversity, highlighting the harsh realities of life in Afghanistan while celebrating the unbreakable human spirit. I deeply enjoyed the themes of faith and resilience demonstrating how women have quietly and strongly endured great suffering through history. The level of suffering the women experience throughout the book is disturbing and yet, once Miriam and Laila are united, they were able to remain kind-hearted and hopeful that a better life would be out there, even if it may be at the sacrifice of another's chance of freedom. A standout quote demonstrating this theme was: 'Women like us. We endure. It's all we have'.

Another standout quote highlighting the maltreatment of and injsutice towards the women in this book was: 'Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always." In this sentence you can feel how the women must have built contempt as blame was always placed on them with no regard of their feelings or perseptive. Keeping faith despite this shows the courage women in this situation must have had.

Throughout the novel, both Mariam and Laila evolve from vulnerable and naive girls into strong, courageous women who defy societal expectations and strive for a better life despite the hardships they face. Their friendship becomes a source of mutual support and empowerment, allowing them to transcend their circumstances and find a sense of purpose and fulfilment in each other’s company.

In addition to enjoying the relationship that develops between Mariam and Lailia, the parallels and comparisons of their story added to the interest of this book. Both lost their mother at a young age with childhood trauma and shaping  both their early adulthoods. The loss of their families through one way or another, results in both giving up plans of education for forced cruel marriages in order to survive.    

Despite Mariam’s pain that she was unable to conceive, she did essentially become a surrogate mother to Laila providing her with much needed maternal support. She also cared greatly for Laila’s own children and found fulfilment in this role which was heart warming bringing a needed lightness to the story.

During the transitions from their childhood into their new lives, both girls/women were told huge fabrications which had great consequences leading to further great loss in the future of the two women. These involved many unexpected twists and turns in the book which kept me captivated and longing to read on.

Despite all the turbulence and vilocence of this story, somehow this book had perhaps not a happy ending but a somewhat peaceful one which I had not expected. This gives a real sense of faith and hope after so many chapters filled with fear.

Spoiler Ahead - dodge this paragraph to avoid

Towards the end of the book there is a particulalry heartwarming line: 'Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand splendid suns."

This line encapsulates the deep bond between the two women and enduring impact that Mariam has on Laila. Despite the physical absence of Mariam, her memory and influence remain very much alive and poinient within Laila. This imagery demonstrates the idea that Mariam's love, sacrifice, and spirit continue to illuminate and inspire Laila's life, like the countless brilliant suns the title refers to. I thoroughly enjoyed this parting line and this sentiment made the prior anxious reading worthwhile and rewarding.

Although this book has many challenging themes, I found I read this book with ease. I was certainly grateful for the short chapters which enabled swift progress was made through the book. Thorough character introductions made it easier to remember and distinguish the characters, repetition of names also helped with this. I would defintiely say this book is dyslexia friendly.

Recommendations

Would I recommend?

YES! As I said earlier, the first book I've posted rated 5/5 stars, this should say it all!

To Who?

Everyone. I feel like this is one of those stories that everyone needs to read. With some dark themes of domestic abuse, SA, miscarriage and graphic violence, I’d suggest this book is for those aged 16 years and over only though

If you like this book you may also enjoy:

- They both die at the end – Colleen Hoover

- A handmaid’s tale - Margaret Atwood

- The book thief - Markus Zusak