A review by purplegrape
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad tense fast-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

I have no words to express how absolutely incredible this novel is. I cried for what seems like the last 10 chapters straight. It's books like these that give you hope only to break you. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to live the lives of any of the characters. It is an incredible book to put your life into perspective.

Hosseini is a lovely writer. His prose is simple but "clean as a bone". The topic of the novel makes it so there is never a dull moment. Every character comes alive, and you feel their sorrow, joy, and hope equally. 

I am so happy to have read the latter half of the novel (part three and onwards while Meenakshi worked at Shasta's on Monday) in one sitting. This is the kind of book you can sit with and give your day to. Even if you put it down, when you revisit, the story is as vivid as the last time. 

I will be buying The Kite Runner imminently