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Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Violence, Grief, War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Miscarriage, Self harm, Blood, Abortion, Pregnancy
The novel is also as informative as it is heart wrenching, especially if you aren’t already familiar with the politics and recent history of the region. Hosseini artfully navigates issues of politics, authoritarianism, the oppression of women, and suppression of civil liberties without being heavy handed or lazy. These issues are organically taught through the experiences of the characters so that they are memorable and personal.
The novel is closed by offering a glimmer of sunshine to balance the darkness, which I personally love. I think that when authors write stories drenched in tragedy and outrage it’s important to also remark on the resiliency of the human spirit and our capacity to create and find beauty despite everything. I think Khaled Hosseini is one of those authors that actually acknowledges the flowers that can bloom after all the suffering. So for those of you tired of pessimistic endings I recommend this book as I feel it was down-to-earth and still hopeful.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Colonisation
Minor: Confinement, Miscarriage, Rape, Excrement, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War
Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, War
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder
This book follows the journey of Mariam (an illegitimate daughter of a rich businessman) who soon after her mother's death is married off to Rasheed (a shoemaker almost 30 yrs older than her). The story follows a series of misfortunes that occur throughout Mariam's life and how almost 2 decades later her life intertwines with a 15 yr old girl Laila. This book takes place in Afghanistan during a period of high political instability and ongoing war and I'd definitely not expected it to be an easy read. But this book was way darker than I'd imagined. There were a lot of graphic scenes of domestic violence and marital rape. I had to skip a few paragraphs and put the book aside multiple times because I couldn't seem to be able to continue reading. Also since the relationship between Mariam and Laila is such an important aspect of the book, I'd expected their bond to develop slowly over time. But all of it just happened in an instant and I found it very unconvincing. I wish the writer had put some more effort in highlighting the beautiful moments between Mariam and Laila and Mariam and Laila's kids instead of focusing on adding disturbing details of abuse. That would've created a perfect balance between hope and tragedy without taking anything away from the story. By the time I'd reached the end of the book, I was so mentally drained to feel anything for the characters and I was just relieved that it was finally over.
I do however believe that "A thousand splendid suns" is an important book but it's definitely not something I'd prefer to read again.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death of parent
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Abortion
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, War