Reviews

Mille splendidi soli by Khaled Hosseini

phoenixfeather1221's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One thing I would like to say is Khaled Hosseini's portrayal of life in Afghanistan and how women were treated for cultural purposes is something I would like to commend. This gave me the sense of value that we as women can't always get what we want and have to fight for it, meaning that sacrifices have to be made for this to happen Women should not be underestimated and should be given the same opportunities as men. We should have the same rights and be treated with respect and dignity. We should also be able to make decisions for ourselves and take control of our lives.

The main reasons why I took five stars are for a few things:

1. The way friendship was built throughout the story was when Laila got married to Rasheed between Mariam
2. Spoiler

   the love between Tariq and Laila
3. Spoiler

   The sacrifice of Mariam for Laila when she was killed.
4. How Mullah Fazal (I think that's his name) was remembered throughout the book since he played throughout the story and at the end as well
5. Spoiler

   The love and affection Mariam has given to Zalmai as he did not want him to know that his father (Rasheed) was killed
6. Spoiler

   Wants protection for her kids and sacrifices her love for her daughter Aziza to let her be fed even if she has to leave her
7. Spoiler

   The love for Afghanistan that she wants to go back to, even if war is there

But one thing that struck me the most is that Khaled Hosseini uses poem lines to relate to the book. He uses the same poem lines throughout the novel to create a sense of connection and emotion, reminding us of the beauty and hope of Afghanistan. He also uses the lines to remind us of the suffering that the people of Afghanistan have faced and continue to face. It struck me the most because of how such a poem can relate to a whole war scene. 

"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roof,

Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls." 

freshcinnamon's review against another edition

4.0

I was taken with this book from the beginning and it is the first book to make me cry in a long, long time.

borna761's review against another edition

5.0

Not really a review as I read this book more than 2 years ago, but this is one of those books that if I could give it a 6, I easily would. No hesitation.

leasummer's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this better than "The Kite Runner," it was recommended to me saying as much. I am heartbroken for what a woman's life is like in Afghanistan. It was interesting to see the history of the country at war and what it might have been like to live through it. The writing was beautiful and very easy to read.

copkiller's review against another edition

3.0

Koskettava ja sykähdyttävä, muttei räjäyttänyt pankkia niinkuin toivoin

alykat264's review against another edition

5.0

One of my favorites, ever.

sarabdelfattah's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

dlda's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lubarbara's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? No

4.5

Precioso y desgarrador, cuenta la dura realidad de miles de familias afganas. Creo que es una lectura obligatoria para salir un poco de nuestra burbuja occidental, pero estén atentos/as a los avisos de contenido porque hay escenas de violencia doméstica/sexual/guerras.

ponderinstuff's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. You have to read this book. I don't give many 5-star ratings but A Thousand Splendid Suns definitely gets that from me.

I have heard people raving about this book for a long time but I kept pushing it to the bottom of my reading list because I thought it was going to be very political; a book with an agenda.

Instead, it gave a beautiful, heart-wrenching look at the everyday lives of women who want the same things women all over the world want; love, family, and a little joy here and there in their daily lives. But the women in this story live in a country where these things are extremely hard to come by.

Afghanistan is a part of the world that was a mystery to me until I read this story. I will never listen to world news reports the same way after reading A Thousand Splendid Suns.