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I read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" after having read "The Kite Runner, " which I preferred. For nearly a decade I lived/taught English in Kabul, within walking distance of the setting of this novel. This helped anchor the action for me. (I have spoken briefly with the author, and he said my neighborhood was destroyed by the Taliban). Mr. Hosseini's mentioning of so many local landmarks helped. I cannot understand how Western readers can identiiy with this plot. It is so, well, AFGHAN, with Indian-filmy coloration. It is difficult remembering who's who, too. Life for the characters starts out bad and just gets worse and worse. it is hard to believe, hard to take; it never lets up, and yet I was riveted. I couldn't put it down. There are some slips in written English usage that should have been caught and corrected. Not a big problem, though. Was this written to be made into a movie . . . A sub-continental "Gone With The Wind," perhaps? I look forward to Hosseini's next book.Read full review
I listened to this audio book and was totally caught up in the lives of the two main characters. It is set against the backdrop of the tumult in Afganistan, and one could get immersed in its historical perspective. I chose to "feel" the book from the perspective of being a Muslim woman in a war ravaged country. I find it difficult to explain the impact that this book had on me and will have on other readers. I did find it complicated to keep the names of ancillary characters straight. I think that is because I did not see their names in print, but that drawback was outweighed by the clear narrative style of this audio book. I highly recommend "A Thousand Splendid Suns".
This is a marvelous story which is beautifully told. It touches your soul and you will be thinking about it for a long time after you finish. It is horrifying and beautiful at the same time. It really makes you angry, particularly as a woman. Yet it is curiously hopeful even as your heart breaks for these two women. It also explains recent Afghan history in a way which is easy to follow and eye-opening. Now I understand so much more. Thank you.
This may be a new author but, he is on the money.His first book "The Kite Runner" gave us a taste and he carries it over to this new release. Life in Afghanistan is drawn explicitly and even rudely. Through 3 decades of life from Soviet occupation until now. A deep and abiding love and loyalty that surpasses my understanding. Worth reading by all. I bought it after reading his first novel and was not disappointed
EXCELLENT! I read "The Kite Runner" written by Khaled Hosseini and this was a must read as well. I listened to the book on CD which is not something I do on a regular basis, but feel that "hearing" the book with the reader's accent was very important. The tears, the love, the reality . . . touches your heart and will open your mind as did the "Kite Runner".
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