A review by epellicci
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

challenging emotional tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Hossien's writing is beautiful and immersive. In this retelling of Afghanistan history through two women's perspectives, he takes the reader right to the center of a brutal world of war, assault, grief, and eventually hope. I got angry, I cried, and I felt hope both with and for the main characters. Mariam and Laila are fantastically written, and through them Hossien explores a range of sensitive and potent topics in a way that pulls no punches. Despite this, the plot doesn't overtake the characters and over the course of the story they evolve in ways that allow the reader to remain optimistic and invested in their futures, while also being proportionate to the struggles surrounding them.
However, I do have some criticisms. This book was hard to read. While its brutality paints a breathtakingly realistic world and sheds light on the important truth that thousands of women, especially refugee women, are living through, it was oftentimes repeatedly graphic and hard to stomach. I had to take a break from the book on more than one occasion in order to re-prepare myself to face the narrative. As well as this, there is a lot of history crammed into a relatively short book, and I found that sometimes specific events and details were lost in the general heaviness of the plot. However, I think the authors aims were successfully met - this book is engaging and moving, and evokes both compassion and empathy towards the plight facing many Afghan women. 
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