A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

[MooseLooseAboutTheHoose]

I read a lot of books, and I’m not sure any other book has elicited the same level of emotion in me. Sadness, fear, desperation, the occasional glimpse of hope and happiness, complete and utter grief and heartbreak.

I’ve read this book across 2 evenings, and have just come in from the garden at 2.15am unable to tear myself away and needing to finish it.

I’d love to discuss with anyone who has read it, and implore anyone who hasn’t, to buy a copy and walk a while in the shoes of our Afghani sisters. This was truly eye opening, heartbreaking and an incredible, small tribute to the resilience and courage of women.

I don’t want to give anything away for those who haven’t read it, but I’d love to discuss it here and we can add a spoiler warning if needed.

I’m not always great at sticking with books but this one had me absolutely hooked. Completely gut wrenching story, both hard to read and impossible to put down.

The most beautiful book I’ve ever read. It must be at least 12 years since I read it and I think about it all the time. I saw the play of the story last month too, I am keen to read it again soon.

It is absolutely a great book

But I found it such a harrowing read.
I remember towards the end making myself stay up late into the night to finish it till the end cos I couldn't cope with how harrowing it was so I just wanted to finish it.

It’s a few years since I’ve read this book but I still remember how good it was.
Its one I would always recommend to people to read.

read this book years ago, still stands out to me at how emotional it made me

Loved it. Brilliant writing.

Loved it. Even more than Kite Runner. Yes it’s a must read and I bought a copy for both my daughters.

I completely agree. It was the best book I’ve ever read. I lent it to my mum and she felt the same.

I think this was half the reason that I had to finish it this morning, so harrowing I had to be done with it.

When I finished the book this morning, I literally just sat bawling my eyes out. The suffering that women go through in Afghanistan is almost beyond my comprehension. Making things worse is that the book finishes on a relatively positive note, with the overthrowing of the Taliban, there’s a glimmer of hope and humanity but knowing they are back in power now, and things are probably worse for our poor Afghani sisters is just utterly heartbreaking. Ive woken up crying again this morning. Never before have I shed tears like this over a book, it’s just devastating.

Kite Runner is another of the authors books yes? Is this as beautifully written as well? Should I pick it up?

I agree...
If I'm ever trying to explain to someone about the ending I can never quote without crying my eyes out..
One of the best books I've ever read...ever.

Absolutely...

I loved the Kite Runner but it made me feel so sad that I haven’t risked A Thousand Splendid Suns. He’s an amazing writer and I am not sure I can cope with another of his heart rending books.

I read this a few years ago. Beautifully written and I was hooked from start to finish, I read it all in one day.

I was hooked at first. Raced through it and was deeply affected but as the book went on, I found it less compelling. I really don't have the words to adequately explain how I felt about it but it felt somewhat pedestrian. The story is harrowing and the suffering is real but purely from a reading pov, I didn't find it unique or clever or particularly well written. Rich coming from me, as I quite evidently couldn't do a better job but I went from thinking it was fantastic to thinking it was just OK.

Okay, I’ll definitely give it a little while before I read Kite Runner then, I think it’s going to take me a few days to actually not cry when I think of A Thousand Splendid Suns. I’m here in bed with tears streaming down my face since I woke up, I’m genuinely shocked at how emotional this book has made me.

This is one of my favourite books of all time. I've read it countless times.

Oh, that’s a shame @Foolsgold74I really thought the book was beautifully written, the imagery his words conjured up had me right there with Mariam and Laila. What was it do you think made it less compelling as you went on?

I’m not sure I’d be able to read is numerous times! the emotion would exhaust (and possibly dehydrate!) me! 😅

I’m seriously overwhelmed with gratitude this morning that I was lucky enough to be born where I was. Like most, I can be guilty of complaining about life, work, the government, the cost of living etc etc but my goodness, thinking about what Afghani women are put through, how they are are valued as little as livestock from the moment they are born purely for the sin of being female has really hit me this morning.

And the world is there, just watching on. Do you think there will ever be anything done about it? I can’t see the US ever going back in there. What will it take for the women of Afghanistan to be liberated? Will it ever happen?

I’ve read this and I’ve also read The Kite Runner, and I found them to be mediocre. My friend adores both books, and strongly recommended them, so I felt a bit guilty for not being particularly moved by them. Some years later and i can’t even remember the storylines. It’s weird, but they had almost no impact on me at all.

I read this many years ago and it’s stuck with me as a must read. I remember crying as I read the book, it stuck with me for a long time.

Kite Runner is good but I think Thousand Spendid Suns is in a whole new league.

Both books were excellent, I really enjoyed his 3rd book too, can't recall the name, was it 'and the mountains sang?'

Sorry, 'and the mountains echoed'