A Thousand Splendid Suns, book review. (Khaled Hosseini)

I've heard much about this author, how authentic his books are, compelling even - on the cover of this very book is a quote from, Isabel Allende, which simply reads, Unforgettable - and even for someone like me, who has a shockingly bad memory, I have to agree.

Unforgettable.

I know little about Afghanistan's history but by reading his book I feel my eyes have been opened. Yes, I knew the Russians invaded and of course I've heard of the Mujahideen and the Taliban, who dispersed so many civilians during their occupation, but through this work of fiction, through the eyes of this incredible author, I feel I've grasped a little of what it must have been like for those who lived and died, endured lose and torture during those dreadfully long years.

The book centres around two young women from very different backgrounds who both find themselves married to the tyrant, Rasheed, who beats then, chastises them and favours his second child over his first, simply because he is a boy!

And the two women, Mariam and Laila, not only do they have to endure the beatings and his mood swings but also his unwanted sexual advances, but over time (Mariam is unable to bear children, having had many miscarriages over the years, whilst Laila gives birth and raises her daughter in their shared house) and with the common goal of protecting themselves from their husband, an alliance is formed; an uneasy one at first, but their love for the child and each other soon grows.

With the Russians gone there is celebration, but it is short-lived. The war might be over but the spoils are not so easily split and so, the Mujahideen fight amongst themselves and with shells raining down and bullets flying, Kabul is once again under siege.

Women can no longer learn, be seen, having to hide beneath full-face burkas, and are assaulted if caught without male chaperones. As time passes, the Taliban's grip on the country tightens and Rasheed's frustrations grow, until the women are forced to take drastic action!

To be able to weave the delicacies of love and passion, for life and one another, for the children they have borne or grown to love, into a story of such depravity and desolation, of loss and grief, is a true testament to this author's writing, and so I don't hesitate to recommend this book to all and can with hand on heart say that it is one of the best I have read so far this year.

Four big fat lovely gold stars for, A Thousand Splendid Suns then. Enjoy.