Writing Challenge #28: Book Love

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Historical-fiction

When and where I read this book: I've just finished reading this book. I've heard so much about this novel that I tried to find this book as fast as I could. In actuality, I had a sort of distrust of this kind of books, but I was disappointed agreeably!

Summary: The novel is a breathtaking story set against the events of Afganistan's last thirty years.

K. Hosseini tells us about two women and their struggles for life. The elder, Mariam is one of the most tragic characters in literature I have ever read about. She was born to a servant woman out of wedlock and is raised in banishment and ignorance. The family of her father forced her to marry a much older man after her mother commits suicide.

Laila, fifteen years younger than Mariam, and raised by intellectual parents, enters the marriage under much fifferent circumstances. Alone after a bomb destroys her home and kills her parents, and pregnant by her childhood love who left the country with his family, she marries Rasheed, the husband of Mariam, in a desperate attempt to save her unborn child. For the first time, I'm not able to denounce such kind of actions!

The writing is very beautiful. The pictures the author paints with his words are so vivid that everything just flashes before your eyes like a movie.

This story shows us how grateful we should be every day of our life, and that hope can be always found.

Favourite quotes:"A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated..."

"Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting."

Note: there is a very good blog about this book with audio by Anne Hodgson:

http://annehodgson.de/2008/07/28/khaled-hosseini-a-thousand-splendid-suns/

The link added by Monika: Afgan Women

Dear Natasha!

I'd like to tell you,that I've just finished this book,and I am still under its influence...I often had a lump in my throat as I was reading this book.

It so sad to know,that maybe it is(or I hope just WAS!)the reality for some women on the other part of the world...

My favourite part was at the end of the book this section:

"...When they first came back to Kabul, it distressed Laila that she didn't know where the Taliban had buried Mariam. She wished she could visit Mariam's grave, to sit with her awhile, leave a flower or two. But Laila sees now that it doesn't matter. Mariam is never very far. She is here, in these walls they've repainted, in the trees they've planted, in the blankets that keep the children warm, in these pillows and books and pencils. She is in the children's laughter. She is in the verses Aziza recites and in the prayers she mutters when she bows westward. But, mostly, Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns. ..."

I thank you so much that you and Anna made this book familiar to me,I adored reading it all along.

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Comments

Natasha March 12, 2011 18:28

Dear Monika,

The excerpt chosen by you is really significant, and says much about Aziza and Mariam, their nobility and unselfishness. This story must be read by as many people as it possible. Thanks for reading, sharing your opinion and the ability to empathize!
Monika March 9, 2011 9:05

Dear Natasha!

I'd like to tell you,that I've just finished this book,and I am still under its influence...I often had a lump in my throat as I was reading this book.

It so sad to know,that maybe it is(or I hope just WAS!)the reality for some women on the other part of the world...

My favourite part was at the end of the book this section:

"...When they first came back to Kabul, it distressed Laila that she didn't know where the Taliban had buried Mariam. She wished she could visit Mariam's grave, to sit with her awhile, leave a flower or two. But Laila sees now that it doesn't matter. Mariam is never very far. She is here, in these walls they've repainted, in the trees they've planted, in the blankets that keep the children warm, in these pillows and books and pencils. She is in the children's laughter. She is in the verses Aziza recites and in the prayers she mutters when she bows westward. But, mostly, Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns. ..."

I thank you so much that you and Anna made this book familiar to me,I adored reading it all along.
Natasha February 13, 2011 9:31

Hello Monika!

It's not the first time that I'm impressed by your inquisitiveness! You have a desire to learn new things...Thank you for the link! I'll put it in my post :)
Monika February 13, 2011 5:54

Hello Natasha!

As I was browsing on FB today,I found an aricle in the National Geographic about Afghan women.

I thought I will share it here,as it is relevant to your blog,for those,who are interested in:Afghan Women
Natasha February 12, 2011 11:53

Hello Nida,

Thanks for reading and wish to read this novel! Check out the Monika's link below! :)
Natasha February 12, 2011 11:51

Monika, thanks!!! :)
nida February 12, 2011 11:47

Hello Natasha,

I haven't read that book. But you description about "a thousand splendid suns" is so wonderful that I want to read this book. I have heard that Khaled Hosseine is a nice writer. Thank you so much for sharing your favorite book with us.

I highly appreciate the way, you've written that summary. I simply love your way of writing.
Natasha February 12, 2011 8:58

Good luck, Martin! :)
Monika February 12, 2011 5:27

Hello Martin and Natasha&all!

I found the book here,the whole transcript,you can read online,or have a look to the books...and still many other best-sellers,a great site!

Hope you will like it!
Natasha February 11, 2011 23:21

Hi Martin,

I'd like to assure you it's really an excellent book! :)

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