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A review by serenspace
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Genocide, Gore, Pregnancy, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
It's not often that I feel completely hopeless for the characters in a book. There is usually some hope of miracles or happy endings. But the majority of this left me feeling defeated for Mariam and Laila, so completely extinguished. The style of writing Hosseini employs is emotionally rich and devastating, keeping me on my toes while also filling me with immovable dread. It encapsulates the fear of a nation torn by war, putting me squarely in the shoes of those left behind. Mariam's ending broke me, such conviction that despite everything, there are things, people, worth fighting for. Laila's ending, far more hopeful and happy yet tainted by gried, avoided the quality of a happy-ever-after by walking through her entire life, showing every part of her. If anybody should be happy, Laila tops the list, followed of course by Tariq, Aziza, Zalmai... A brilliant novel.