Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The Financial Times poignantly refers to Khaled Hosseini as giving Afghanistan a voice. This statement sums up the intent of this novel perfectly. Hosseini gives the two main characters, Mariam and Laila a voice.

The novel begins by addressing the social injustices Mariam faces due to her illegitimate birth status. The reader steps into her shoes, experiences her deep sense of loss, and discovers the breadcrumbs she experiences as treasured morsels, figuratively and literally. You sleep on the street in front of a door with her and are relieved by the saviour she finds in Rasheed.

Hosseini not only sketches the personal loss Mariam feels but also shows several different narratives for women residing in Afghanistan. Laila is an example of the deteriorating circumstances women in Afghanistan found themselves in (and unfortunately again do).

The book has several compelling themes, including the comradery people share when thrown together into the same circumstances. It showcases the deplorable state of public services, such as healthcare, that women in Afghanistan were exposed to. It brutally showcases the graphic details people in war-ridden countries face daily and compels the reader to give the women of Afghanistan a voice.

The book flows beautifully, and you reluctantly depart with it. It is by no means an easy read, as it challenges the reader to understand the challenges women face. The themes are interweaved throughout the book and will haunt you for days. I recommend this book to someone who would like to expand their view of the world and the current challenges faced in Afghanistan.