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Hend's Reviews > A Thousand Splendid Suns
A Thousand Splendid Suns
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Hend's review
bookshelves: novels, asian-literature, favorite-novels, unique-novels, 20-books-guaranteed-to-make-u-cry, read-these-and-you-re-well-read
Feb 02, 2012
bookshelves: novels, asian-literature, favorite-novels, unique-novels, 20-books-guaranteed-to-make-u-cry, read-these-and-you-re-well-read
I have never cried while reading a book,like I Did while reading this one!
It is the story of poor, uneducated women who have to endure the hardships of life...
The horrors and terrors that a lot of women have gone through during certain period in Afghanistan, the war torn country ,and the narration through the lives of two women Mariam and Laila..
Going through All kinds of Physical abuse of hitting, kicking and slapping ,brutal beating ,etc….
Struggling the cruel extremely sadistic Rasheed, And suffering all kinds of violence and subjected to his shifting mood and volatile temper.
Witnessing the ugliness of war, the fate of loved ones, grieving for lost lives.
And sadly this is not exclusive to Afghan society only it is happening in many other countries The unhappy, abusive marriages, oppressive governments and repressive Cultural mores ..
It finds its echo in varying forms, in differing degrees, through the different time periods, across the world.
The end of the novel give some hope in its last scene after all the violent accidents ,with Laila's pregnancy, Kabul rebuilding, and a loving family reunion.
“I know you're still young but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot.
And I also know that when this war is over Afghanistan is going to need you as much as its men maybe even more. Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated. No chance.”
Laila fulfilled her father’s dreams and he can rest in peace watching his brave daughter completing his path and teaching young Afghan children the true values and principles
of Their social heritage and culture
educating them how they could be good citizens in the future.
In this critical age when personalities are shaped
And what they learn will stay with them.
And protecting them from falling in the hands of those who would mould them to absorb hatred ,violence and intolerance.
It is the story of poor, uneducated women who have to endure the hardships of life...
The horrors and terrors that a lot of women have gone through during certain period in Afghanistan, the war torn country ,and the narration through the lives of two women Mariam and Laila..
Going through All kinds of Physical abuse of hitting, kicking and slapping ,brutal beating ,etc….
Struggling the cruel extremely sadistic Rasheed, And suffering all kinds of violence and subjected to his shifting mood and volatile temper.
Witnessing the ugliness of war, the fate of loved ones, grieving for lost lives.
And sadly this is not exclusive to Afghan society only it is happening in many other countries The unhappy, abusive marriages, oppressive governments and repressive Cultural mores ..
It finds its echo in varying forms, in differing degrees, through the different time periods, across the world.
The end of the novel give some hope in its last scene after all the violent accidents ,with Laila's pregnancy, Kabul rebuilding, and a loving family reunion.
“I know you're still young but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot.
And I also know that when this war is over Afghanistan is going to need you as much as its men maybe even more. Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated. No chance.”
Laila fulfilled her father’s dreams and he can rest in peace watching his brave daughter completing his path and teaching young Afghan children the true values and principles
of Their social heritage and culture
educating them how they could be good citizens in the future.
In this critical age when personalities are shaped
And what they learn will stay with them.
And protecting them from falling in the hands of those who would mould them to absorb hatred ,violence and intolerance.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 60 (60 new)
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سارة
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rated it 4 stars
Oct 11, 2012 11:00AM
it's so emotional
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Oh yes, this book made me cry so much too. I loved this book but I don't think I could read it more than once.
Sarah wrote: "it's so emotional"The story is full of sadness and tragedy :(
Rowena wrote: "Oh yes, this book made me cry so much too. I loved this book but I don't think I could read it more than once."Yeah Rowena I felt depressed, extremely sad and heart broken after finishing it.
once is more than enough!
The sisterhood in that book really warmed my heart.
Rowena wrote: "The sisterhood in that book really warmed my heart."it was really touching!
They overcome several wars throughout their lives and turn into strong women, in spite of the abuse at the hand of Rasheed.
and Mariam !
this big hearted woman who has the courage to die for the people she loves.
loyalty and devotion of Laila to Mariam's memory.
It is a great book!
Amen to all you said, Hend! That was the most beautiful part of the book to me. I was so happy when Mariam realized that the enemy was Rasheed, not Laila. Both women were such victims.
yeah they were both victims and a source of great light in this suffocating horror, but u know what impressed me Rowena,the human capacity for survival!how could Miriam make it through all those years ,to be living with Rasheed, this unspeakably brutal, selfish monster.
and to still believe in God and keep praying and also to have the ability forgive her father after he had permanently ruined her life.
and her dramatic end,all this oppression, and to be cursed from the moment she was born to the day she died .
and to feel that she deserve that miserable life.
I Think this book will stay with me for a long time....
You're right! And us women are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. It's too bad that society tries hard to divide us and make us compete with each other. I had to stop reading at times because Rasheed made me so angry.
Afghanistan's history is so tragic. That poor country has been through so much. I will always remember this book too, although I read it so long ago.
A very good review.
Excellent review! I started this & loved it, but had to return it to the library before finishing it. You've reminded me I need to get back to it!
Absolutely wonderful review Hend! This does seem like one that would resonate well with you, I've always meant to read it.
Thanks so much Jenn(ifer)and Steve!:)
Thank you for your heart-felt review, Hend! You've made me add this book to my TBR now. :)
Thanks dear Traveller :)but u should be careful this one is extremely depressing and sad!
Hend wrote: "Thanks dear Traveller :)but u should be careful this one is extremely depressing and sad!"
I'll keep that in mind, and save it for a day i know i could cope--thanks for the warning, you're such a sweet person. :)
Thanks Traveller:):),it is u,who is so sweet and kind.:)
This book made me angry and sad. It's one of the first few books that generated my interest in reading actually :)
Yeah,Garima.very angry and furustrated!
just thinking how many women could be suffering such abuse.
but at least it makes u interested in reading.
:)
Hend quoted: "Marriage can wait, education cannot."What a manifesto this would make.
I've heard this is a emotionally wrenching affair to read, but well worth the tears. I agree with Ian that statement is truly a manifesto I hope more women can abide by. Great review Hend!
Ian wrote: "Hend quoted: "Marriage can wait, education cannot."What a manifesto this would make."
Thanks for liking my review Ian:)
I Think Educating Girls is the only way there could be a future for a country.
but unfortunately not all Girls really believe in this!
or at least this is how they are forced to think.that to be married is more important.
Jeffrey wrote: "I've heard this is a emotionally wrenching affair to read, but well worth the tears. I agree with Ian that statement is truly a manifesto I hope more women can abide by. Great review Hend!"Thanks so much Jeffrey!
I AGREE with Ian too!and novels like this one although are extremely painful and sad but it open our eyes to what is happening and to things u never imagined women still are going through.
There is nothing more beautiful than an educated woman. (Not even an educated man.)
Ian wrote: "There is nothing more beautiful than an educated woman. (Not even an educated man.)":)
hope all men think in this way ,it would be a great thing!
Ian wrote: "Hend quoted: "Marriage can wait, education cannot."What a manifesto this would make."
Indeed!
Hend wrote: "hope all men think in this way ,it would be a great thing!"Unfortunately, not all men think this way, not even the educated ones.
Rowena wrote: "Ian wrote: "Hend quoted: "Marriage can wait, education cannot."What a manifesto this would make."
Indeed!"
Yeah Rowena!
Ian wrote: "Hend wrote: "hope all men think in this way ,it would be a great thing!"Unfortunately, not all men think this way, not even the educated ones."
I Think men who don't like smart or educated women are not secure or happy within themselves , or satisfied with their own success level.
Unfortunately, some men who are satisfied with their own success level think like this.
Algheeed wrote: "More than beautiful"Thanks my dear friend,it is The Beauty Of Your Presence:)
Ian wrote: "Unfortunately, some men who are satisfied with their own success level think like this."Then why in your opinion they think this way?
as i notice it a lot .
i came across some men who are keen on marrying women who are less educated than them and sometimes prefer those who are staying at home or even make this condition before marriage .
and if the woman has a higher education ,she should try not to appear smart at all,otherwise things will go bad.
Ian wrote: "Unfortunately, some men who are satisfied with their own success level think like this."Actually, what I mean is that some men are oversatisfied with themselves.
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with my wife.Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to my wife,
"You promised me, wife,
that if I married you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
have you not been there for me?"
My wife replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
are when I carried you."
Ian wrote: "Ian wrote: "Unfortunately, some men who are satisfied with their own success level think like this."Actually, what I mean is that some men are oversatisfied with themselves."
Ah, I see what you mean.
:)
Ian wrote: "One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with my wife.Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
..."
LOVED IT!,Amazing ,lovely AND OUTSTANDING and very touching!!!
u write wonderful things.(AS ALWAYS)
and your presence is a great honor to ME
.
Thanks for this beautiful piece.
Hend, please don't thank me, thank Mary Stevenson:http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/...
I just changed "the Lord" to "my wife".
Many men worship the wrong person in their lives. Unfortunately, the default position is themselves.
u know I LIKED it in either ways.yours is very romantic, and the original sounds Sufi :)
Hend, I came across your review of this wonderful book via your friend Cathy. I think that Khaled Hosseini is a brilliant author of our times. I loved "The Kite Runner", and this book, and I'm just started "And the Mountains Echoed". Splendid.I lived in Saudi Arabia for sixteen years and I think this is why I relate to the sad plight (although improving in some countries) of women there. Many are just treated as beasts of burden and temporary "joys" for their husbands until they become bored with them and "cast them out".
It's a pleasure to read your thoughts.
Lynne wrote: "Hend, I came across your review of this wonderful book via your friend Cathy. I think that Khaled Hosseini is a brilliant author of our times. I loved "The Kite Runner", and this book, and I'm ju..."Hello Lynne,thank u for sharing your thoughts and your care about women conditions in Islamic societies in general.and i am honored by your presence here.
Cathy is a wonderful person and i am lucky to be her friend.
actually i see Wahhabi Ideology as A Virus, a Danger to Islam and Muslims and women especially.
They practice their culture and claim it to be Islam
it is not Islam it is a different religion,related to Saudi Arabian and they are sending their preachers to spread it among Islamic countries using their financial powers,by building mosques and charity institutions,etc....
this religion is destroying the peace of the community,women oppression and intended gender in equality has been practiced by those Wahhabi patriarchy.
Many feminists and academic intellectuals
struggle to improve the condition of women in Arabic societies.and they are attacked by those extremists, they accuse them of being funded by "the west" to destroy Islam ,every thing is attributed to conspiracy theory , they use religion to control and brain wash you, they consider themselves a better Muslim.
Radical Islam practices takfir or expulsion against Muslims of which it disapproves.
u could trace the roots of this dangerous movement it began during first world war as a political movement
helped and funded by the colonial British. there was reference to this in a book i read recently
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78...
I think you may also enjoy my new novel, "Legacy of The Peacock Throne". It's a beautiful story about Shah Jahan and his Queen, Mumtaz. I'm a Goodreads Author, as well, so please stop by and drop me a note. Thank you. Vicar Sayeedi
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
I cried over Miriam more than any other literary or screen character. The loss of innocence, trust, hope, friendship, purpose and ultimately her life. Never have I read a more heart-wrenching tragedy.
yeah,Donna Miriam is an icon for all Women living under Terrorist and "fascist" Regimes,I have never sensed this pain like i am feeling it this time,a horrible nightmare!When terrorists are those who rule your country and their supporters are those who are killing anyone else!
I highly agree with you, I shed many tears when I was flipping the pages of this amazing book! It opened my eyes of how many Muslim women have endure the physical and emotional abuse, how men always are thought that they are more important than women, when we are capable of doing the same. I love how in this story, Laila's father was made an exception of that stereotypical Muslim man, he encouraged her to do well in school so one day she could become someone and even when times got hard due to the war he made time to teach her in his beloved office. I also agree that this abomination against women is happening all around the world, it's impossible to stop it but if it continues like this many more cases of women killing their husbands due to self defense (just like Miriam) will increase. I would recommend this book to everyone so they can see/learn the harsh conditions these people faced and overcame.
yeah Evelin ,Totally agree with u ,and u know, Every Man Should Read this book especially middle eastern ones,not only Women.They would realize how they could be monsters sometimes!
Yeah olive, I see your point,What I meant by education is not only to read and write,but the education that en-power women to demand their rights and realise their potential in the economic, political and social life and not being fooled by any one,especially those who have twisted view of religion,u could easily found women whom stand against women rights claiming it to be the true Islam !so u need to Raise the Quality of Education in many countries really...to help women leading a better life and defending themselves in a Patriarchal society...
I also agree with you as well, I cried alot when I was reading this amazing book! It made me see how many Muslim women ( people in general)who have endure physical and emotional abuse for no reason. As of today men and women are equal but in this book men were better than women. I liked how in this story, Mariams mother tried to warn her of her father actions toward them. Her love was so strong for him that she would even die for his love. Lailas father on the other hand was diffferent he encouraged her to do well in school and become something of herself. I also agree that this detestation against women is not only in Afganistan but is happening all around the world. There are so many things we can do to stop this, but most likely we wont succeed. I really enjoyed reading this book and would share it to everyone so they can learn about the situations these people overcame, and maybe it will help them grow.
yeah,AshelyThere are so many things we can do to stop this,women should speak out against any Violence or abuse One of our largest problems is that we do not talk.Women are always afraid , afraid of men or society etc ....
Never disregard, excuse, or remain silent about any violence, and particularly that against women and girls.
and there should be someone there for those who have been victimized by domestic violence or sexual assault.
and education also is very important not only for young girls but also for boys,they are the fathers and partners for the future they should learn to be respectful and never abusive toward women.and there needs to be strong role models for young boys to know how Real Men Treat Women !
