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A review by vaniavela
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I begin by saying that I regret not having read this book sooner, but I had been told it would destroy me emotionally and I was not in a good emotional position.
Now, this book was a huge journey. I found Mariam's childhood quite sad. I understand the mother's perspective, how her view of Mariam's father is completely different from hers. To Mariam, her father is a wonderful being who loves her.
When she was engaged to Rasheed, I felt hatred from that moment on. I swear I hated him every second since he was introduced to the plot. All the physical and emotional abuse he committed against Mariam was repulsive.
When introducing Laila's character I had been a little confused, because I wondered who she was and what her importance was.It wasn't until the events of the bombing happened that everything became clear.
The relationship between Tariq and Laila made my heart fill with tenderness and pain. Watching him leave and return after not showing any signs of life tore me apart. When we found out that he "died" I SOBBED. I couldn't bear the thought. I didn't want to believe it.
When I found out that Rasheed paid a guy to say that Tariq had died, I swear my villain story began. I had sensed something from a comment he replied to Laila after reminding her not to speak ill of the dead. He said "some people are never dead enough" AND THEN CLEARLY. HE WASN'T DEAD.
I was so glad he was killed, I felt such satisfaction. But to see Mariam condemned for attacking him, it hurt me so much. AFTER ALL, THEY KILL HER FOR SELF-DEFENSE?
When Tariq and Laila finally meet after years and manage to live a "better" life, I cried with joy. I wanted nothing but happiness for them. AND SEEING HOW THEY WOULD NAME THE BABY "MARIAM" GAVE ME SO MUCH JOY.
I honestly felt so much with this book, I even threw up, but it was so good.
Now, this book was a huge journey. I found Mariam's childhood quite sad. I understand the mother's perspective, how her view of Mariam's father is completely different from hers. To Mariam, her father is a wonderful being who loves her.
When she was engaged to Rasheed, I felt hatred from that moment on. I swear I hated him every second since he was introduced to the plot. All the physical and emotional abuse he committed against Mariam was repulsive.
When introducing Laila's character I had been a little confused, because I wondered who she was and what her importance was.It wasn't until the events of the bombing happened that everything became clear.
The relationship between Tariq and Laila made my heart fill with tenderness and pain. Watching him leave and return after not showing any signs of life tore me apart. When we found out that he "died" I SOBBED. I couldn't bear the thought. I didn't want to believe it.
When I found out that Rasheed paid a guy to say that Tariq had died, I swear my villain story began. I had sensed something from a comment he replied to Laila after reminding her not to speak ill of the dead. He said "some people are never dead enough" AND THEN CLEARLY. HE WASN'T DEAD.
I was so glad he was killed, I felt such satisfaction. But to see Mariam condemned for attacking him, it hurt me so much. AFTER ALL, THEY KILL HER FOR SELF-DEFENSE?
When Tariq and Laila finally meet after years and manage to live a "better" life, I cried with joy. I wanted nothing but happiness for them. AND SEEING HOW THEY WOULD NAME THE BABY "MARIAM" GAVE ME SO MUCH JOY.
I honestly felt so much with this book, I even threw up, but it was so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail