[ A Thousand Splendid Suns ] [ A THOUSAND SPLENDID

Daughter’s birthday gift she was excited!

My students (high school) regularly tell me how beautifully written this is! Those sharp teenagers are right. Love this.

one of the best books I ever read

excellent!!!!!!

This novel is beautifully written, of course, but it seems almost impossible to a western woman that this could be about a contemporary living in Afghanistan. The treatment that women in the Middle East have had to endure and continue to endure is almost beyond belief. It seems like you are reading a a book about women in the Dark Ages, and then reference is made to a fairly recent event, such as the frenzy of popularity of the film "The Titanic" in 1997, and the fact that this is a current condition for women is jarringly brought home. That men could be so cruel to women they profess to love is incredible to me. The stories of the two main characters in this book are sad almost beyond belief, but it is touching to know that the characters love their country anyway, often finding it beautiful, thus the title of the book. Despite this dichotomy, or perhaps because of it, this novel is moving. The women are buffeted by fate, but also make strides to effect the paths of their lives bravely and with passion. As an American, I have allowed myself to be ignorant of the history of the Middle East and the plight of it's people. Although I find other cultures fascinating, I find myself yearning to be able to help my sisters in Afghanistan, but finding no way to do so. Hosseini not only writes a beautifully wrought novel, but helps to open our eyes to his country and the way that the rest of the world has used it as a fighting ground, as well as the evils perpetuated by the Taliban and other fundamentalists in the name of religion. I bought this CD set as a gift for my sister, after I had listened to a copy from the library. I hope she will find it as interesting as I did. This is a terrific novel with many twists of fate and history to keep it interesting.

This book is like a bridge, connecting the experience, hopes, joys and sorrows of a country (Afghanistan) and a culture previously so foreign to me to my own. Hosseini draws the reader in through his two protagonists, Mariam and Laila, so vividly alive and therefore so able to animate both the setting and the historical/political and social context in which they live, even as it all undergoes drastic changes. Having read this novel as well as his previous one, "The Kite Runner", I now have a visceral reaction when I hear about further turmoil in places like Kabul. Which is preferable to feeling the previous, numbed sense of detachment. Highly recommend.

Writing is sublime. Story is ultimately devastating. I bought the audible version to start. Not a fan. Very poorly done. I thought I knew something of the religious misogyny of Islam but was clearly uninformed. How Muslims around the world excuse the mistreatment of their women and children dumbfounds me. I realize that not all of them do. However, it is obvious that something is clearly horrendous with a religion perpetrating such intolerance and disrespect of the women in its realm. That the religious community itself doesn't step in to right the wrongs of such medieval thinking just gobsmacks me. Not that other religions are so wonderful but I think Islam takes the prize for intolerance. As for the book, it is informative but not one I will be recommending as a best book ever. Not uplifting. Stark and certainly now that the Taliban has returned to power, a forlorn and sad testament to the ignorance of religion.

I ordered this book specifically in a Hebrew translated version and when it arrived it was in English. Very disappointing!

Just brilliant

I felt ashamed I did not know what Afganistan was like before the Taliban invaded. I was heartbroken at the end and cried. I just wish someone could have saved then. Maybe history of the nation may have been tested.. Long lasting memories constantly renewed as on going history portrays almost daily. Tragic.

My all time favourite book. Love it.

Book arrived in good condition new and on time

Disturbing, a page Turner , but well written.