1000 Splendid Suns

[trulymadlydeeply]

Just finished this and it's on my mind as it was so brilliant.

Has anyone else read it and loved it like I did?

I always worry that I'm terribly shallow or unfeeling - all my book group loved the Kite Runner/1000 suns/half a yellow moon

MaryAnn - I don't think you are the shallow one.

!

I think to imply that fans of 100 Splendid Suns are shallow is quite patronising. Many very intelligent and well read people really enjoyed this novel. It is a good story and whether you enjoyed it a not is a question of taste. I would no more judge someone who did not like than I would someone who did.

my book group are all intelligent and loved it, I reckon I';m intelligent too but didn't really respond in the same way, so obviously it appeals differently...I just wonderred if I was odd or a hardened old cynic to be so unmoved

I enjoyed it and was moved by it.

I don't think I am unintelligent but would admit to not being especially well versed about Islam or Afganistan.

To me, it was merely a story with a historic backdrop. If I'd have wanted to read something to specifically educate myself about Islam/Sharia/Afganistan - I'd have bought a non fiction book.

I thought it was an absorbing and thoroughly good read, as was The Kite Runner, which I found slightly more moving.
It's interesting to hear Cote's and MaryAnn's (Hi- FAB yt of the boy- will mail you!) views, because I did have a constant feeling throughout the book that wanted more detail about place, history, etc. Continually left slightly hungry if that makes sense.
Having said that, I think it was superbly written in terms of the characters, (and domestic detail) I don't think you can dismiss a book because it hasn't got depth of historical detail, when it's obvious theme was to concentrate on the situation of the people, not place.

I cried at the end of The Kite Runner.....

My comment was not about intelligence.

Does anyone here really think '1000 SS' was a cerebral book with complicated characters and an intricate plot?

It was about two women being abused in a variety of ways through the years, and their solidarity under this abuse. Yes, that is terrible. Yes, we all feel sorry for them. And that is it, really. It is a simple book with a simple message.

I wouldn't say everyone who has enjoyed '1000 SS' is 'shallow' but seeing several people nominated it as Best Book Ever, I did wonder what kind of books some people normally read to think this was so extraordinary.

Oh NO - I've just started it - If anyone is going to be executed I'm going to STOP! Especially if it's the main character. I can't read it all knowing she will be killed.

Damn - I was enjoying it too!!

I think he is a good story teller. I find his descriptions very vivid and I can 'see' the places as I read. He draws the characters very sympathetically and I strongly identify with them, although I have very little in common with them. I loved the relationship between the two boys in Kite Runner. My DH gave up half way through Kite Runner, he thought it was too contrived and couldn't stand it. I would agree that it is contrived but it is still one of my favourite books.

Read on marge2-it doesn't happen as you might imagine.

I loved it...more than Kite Runner.

OK - Abbey -I'll read on but I might have to do it from behind the sofa (a-la Doctor Who!)

I found the same problems with 1000 splendid suns and kite runner, They were both very contrived. 1000 suns bored me quite a bit actually and I wasn't impressed with theending - it was a cop out.
I enjoyed kite runner a little more than 1000 suns,.

Half of a yellow sun is a much better book, I loved it and I don't think it should be compared to the others really.

Marge! Top-tip - Don't click on threads with book titles in their heading if you don't want to know the plot . If you are enjoying it then continue reading, IMO it is worth it.

Cote - I would find it impossible to say which book should be awarded the accolade "best book ever". Anyone who thinks that just one book deserves that accolade is probably the one we should call shallow! While I recongise some books are brilliantly written masterpieces those are not always the books I enjoy most. For example, last year I read Anna Karenina. Now I would never for a minute pretend that 1000 Suns is in the same league as AK, clearly AK is a much more ambitious work with more depth and better writing BUT I actually enjoyed the experience of reading 1000 Suns more. The story was more absorbing and I was more able to identify with the characters. No doubt I will return to AK again many times, its plot will stick with me for longer and it taught me more but I did find it harder going and less compelling that a 1000 Suns. All books have different strengths and appeals.

I think the characters are believable, and the story good; the bond of friendship gradually formed between the women, the self sacrifice and love are all great themes.
I also would say the style is deliberately sparse, rather than simple.
Not the greatest book I've ever read, but I don't think you can dismiss it so lightly.

I don't know about 'believable'.

Off the top of my head:

Maryam has spoken to only three people until the age of 15, but has no problems being around strangers and even talking to them when she decides to leave. And that is believable?

She has read and even studied the Quran. Yet thinks the only meaning of her name is 'tuberose', oblivious that the Quran has a full chapter on "Maryam, mother of Jesus Christ". And that is believable?

... and my personal favourite:

I think it is Maryam's mother who at some point says "La illah u ilillah" (rather than "La ilaha illallah") which is a quite incredible mistake because it is only The Most Important Phrase in Islam, meaning "There is no God other than Allah". If Hoseini doesn't know that he really should be writing about America instead of Afghanistan. Kind of like not knowing 'amen'.

I don't speak any Arabic whatsoever, by the way. And I still know that phrase, as would anybody growing up among Muslims.

I thought it should be
"La ilaha illa Allah"

But yes, you're right about that Cote I agree, he certainly should have that right.

I do think Miriam is a believable charater yes, and one that you can empathise with too.

Another part of '1000 SS' that doesn't ring true is the complete isolation of Miriam from the other women in her village. Normally in such repressive societies, women stick together and are always together in groups - they do their laundry together, they cook together, they are always in each other's homes. It is inconceivable that she wouldn't be in contact with any other women.

She doesn't come in contact with anyone. Does she never go to the market? Never ever gets groceries, soap, whatever?

All of these discrepancies together gives the book a very phony feel, imho.

I just enjoyed the story-I don't think it has to be believable!

La ilaha illa Allah = La ilaha illallah

How it is said anyway. I can't write or read in Arabic.

On the point about Miriams isolation from the other women in her village - it can happen. I witnessed it in the early 80s in a small village in Turkey where we were staying for a few months. One family there were Armenian and were totally ostracised by the rest of the village. The women looked the other way when the Armenian wife came into the shop etc. It was very cruel and very sad. We invited the Armenian family for tea and the wife cried in gratitude.

However, I Hoseini should have got right the other bits that you mention.