Length: 370 pages
‎Publisher: ATSS Publications
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‎Just above the title of the book, it reads “The number one bestseller by the author of The Kite Runner,” which might seem typical to many readers since it’s common to associate a new book with a previous bestseller to emphasize its significance. However, for me, A Thousand Splendid Suns does not rely on being connected to the author’s earlier success to attract readers. This book stands as a remarkable work in its own right. To clarify, I have read The Kite Runner as well, but the emotional impact of A Thousand Splendid Suns is unparalleled.
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‎A Thousand Splendid Suns is the second major work of Afghan-born American writer Khaled Hosseini. First published in 2007, since then it has earned him immense admiration from literary enthusiasts worldwide.
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‎Before delving deeper, it is essential to outline what the book offers its readers. This heart-wrenching novel explores the turbulent lives of Afghan women amidst decades of war and oppression. It entails the story of two women, Mariam and Laila, who, despite being born into different worlds, are united by shared experiences of love, loss, and survival. Life, for the most part, has been unkind to them, and the novel portrays how they silently endure the hardships imposed upon them by their families and society at large.
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‎Through the stories of Mariam and Laila, Khaled Hosseini masterfully explores the complexities of Afghan culture, the horrors of war, and the intricacies of human relationships. Most significantly, the author exposes the dark foundation of Afghan society where women are treated as commodities and their bodies as battlegrounds for male dominance.
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‎Overall, the story is both compelling and gripping. The plot is filled with twists and climaxes that make it truly memorable. I am avoiding discussing it in detail to prevent spoiling it for those who have not yet given it a read.
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‎Personally, I haven’t read many English fiction books, but so far, I would rank this as my second-favorite work of fiction after Khalil Gibran’s The Broken Wings . Its widespread popularity is a testament to Hosseini’s artistic expertise, which is why I feel somewhat unqualified to critique it. However, one issue I encountered while reading was the complexity of the language, which might pose a challenge for readers less fluent in English. Additionally, as in The Kite Runner, the casual use of Farsi and Pashto words and concepts might be difficult for some readers to grasp.
‎Nevertheless, I strongly recommend this novel, especially to fans of literary fiction.
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