ISBN: 9780747593775

Synopsis Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry the troubled and bitter Rasheed, who is thirty years her senior. Nearly two decades later, in a climate of growing unrest, tragedy strikes fifteen-year-old Laila, who must leave her home and join Mariam’s unhappy household. Laila and Mariam are to find consolation in each other, their friendship to grow as deep as the bond between sisters, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter.

With the passing of time comes Taliban rule over Afghanistan, the streets of Kabul loud with the sound of gunfire and bombs, life a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, the women’s endurance tested beyond their worst imaginings. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism. In the end, it is love that triumphs over death and destruction.

“A Thousand Splendid Suns” is an unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of family and friendship. It is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond and an indestructible love

Bookclub Review This is a story of two very different Afghanistani women whose lives become tragically interwined

Mariam grows up in Herat, the illegitimate daughter of a local businessman, who ultimately promises her in marriage to an older man. Powerless from an early age Mariam accepts her traditional role in Afghan society. In contrast, Laila grows up well-educated, confident and optimistic for her future in Kabul. Fate and war bring the two very women together in an unexpected and terrible way. Tracing the parallel lines of Mariam and Laila’s story, A Thousand Splendid Suns, offers a deeply personal glimpse into the changing circumstances of women’s lives in Afghanistan over the past 40 years.

What the bookclub thought:
The group had a “nice” discussion which lasted almost 2 hours. We all agreed that the book is without question a good read, albeit with the slight feel of a Hollywood screenplay. The group also found the book to be informative and insightful– everyone felt they learned something about Afghanistan by reading it. In terms of its literary merits, the majority felt that the book was satisfyingly well executed. The narrative was clear and left few loose threads. The characters were well-described and believable. The author brought domestic relations in Kabul to life. That said, a number of us also felt that the book lacked the depth of truly great literature, and all agreed that not every character was fully explored.
The average score was 3 out of 5… indicating a good read rather than a must read.