A review by azaan
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam."

O my Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for you are the best of the merciful ones. 
"Kneel here, hamshira. And look down."
One last time, Mariam did as she was told.

"But the game involves only male names. Because if it's a girl, Laila has already named her."

An eye opener. A must-read. This book is like Hosseini pulling off the veil of the mystery surrounding Afghanistan, surrounding women, surrounding history, surrounding culture and surrounding the women  of Afghanistan. Brutal, honest and like multiple kicks to the heart and soul, this book tells a tale of love, neglect, war, abandonement, abuse, escape, tranquility and, once again, love. 

A must-read for anyone and everyone. If I could, I would've given this infinite stars- because like a thousand splendid suns, it shines bright and burns my very existence with the truth most of us are ignorant of. 

"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, 
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."


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