A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini

I knew from the moment I’ve finished “The Kite Runner” that Hosseini’s work will forever go to my heart simply because he understands the power of emotion and uses it fully in his novels. Needless to say, this book was no exception.

The essence of the novel is the gradual bonding between Mariam and Laila, two women born in very different circumstances, both ending up being the wives of Rasheed.

There’s a full range of human emotions going through the novel, from the rage of an abused wife to the thrill of maternal love. Given the many hardships of the two wives, it ultimately feels like a story of survival in Afghan society as a woman.

The relationships are so authentic and heartbreakingly believable, making the emotional reality of Mariam and Laila’s lives tangible to us with each line.

The story also brings to light the state of Afghanistan, when Soviets invaded them and how the Taliban took control of the country. It has both drama and truth to the tale, making it a real page turner.

It sends out a clear message that friendship and love can do miracles in an unfair and unkind world.

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs, or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls." - a description of Kabul, a part of Afghanistan, and its overwhelming beauty.

“You see, some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you have to see and feel.”

“A society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated...”