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A review by akinyiakinyi
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Khaled Hosseini certainly knows how to stir up emotions in his readers. He captures so many themes that make you grateful for what you have and where you are in life. Although A Thousand Splendid Suns is historical fiction, it touches on experiences shared by people across the globe.
Mariam's story is heartbreaking from her birth, through her childhood and her marriage. How could one withstand such pain, unkindness, unacceptance, and lack of love? She loved her father, Jalil, so much, only to be so disappointed by him. How did she live with Nana's last words echoing in her mind: that she was the only person who had ever loved Mariam, and that if Nana died, Mariam would have nothing? Did those words replay in her head every time Rasheed beat and mistreated her? I cried for Mariam; of all the characters in this book, she deserved a happy ending, a happy ending she never got.
Laila's fate changes so quickly in times of war. She goes from living with a father who doted on her and strived to give her the best life possible to living with Rasheed. It was a twist I never saw coming.
War brings so much loss, death, and inexplicable struggle.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is such a heartbreaking book.
Mariam's story is heartbreaking from her birth, through her childhood and her marriage. How could one withstand such pain, unkindness, unacceptance, and lack of love? She loved her father, Jalil, so much, only to be so disappointed by him. How did she live with Nana's last words echoing in her mind: that she was the only person who had ever loved Mariam, and that if Nana died, Mariam would have nothing? Did those words replay in her head every time Rasheed beat and mistreated her? I cried for Mariam; of all the characters in this book, she deserved a happy ending, a happy ending she never got.
Laila's fate changes so quickly in times of war. She goes from living with a father who doted on her and strived to give her the best life possible to living with Rasheed. It was a twist I never saw coming.
War brings so much loss, death, and inexplicable struggle.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is such a heartbreaking book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Incest, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic