A thousand splendid suns --anyone else reading it?

[Ihavelayers]

I am about halfway through and really enjoying it just wanted to know what other mners thought of it?

I liked it a lot more than the kite runner. Kind of thought had it been set in a Glaswegian sink estate rather than Iraq then perhaps it wouldn't have recieved quite the same level of critical aclaim - basically I felt it was a it's a page turner, but it was still a good read.

Sorry - probably bad example!! I just meant it got more kudos because it was set in iraq.

I shouldn't be looking at this thread - was considering buying it the other day. Will defo get it now.

ok but very overrated imo.

I enjoyed it

I thought it was moving and well written. Really enjoyed it. (Although I think I marginally preferred the Kite Runner)

I am really enjoying this - will get Kite runner next!

I loved it, and learned a lot about Afghanistan, but I though the ending was disappointing.

I loved it but there was a thread on here, only a short while ago, where people tended to pull it apart. I just got carried away by the story and didn't notice the inconsistencies. I thought Kite Runner was even better.

I am one of the people who was really disappointed by it, although I loved "The Kite Runner". I just didn't think it was different enough from "The Kite Runner" and think he will need to broaden his horizons if he intends to write many more books.

I enjoyed it too but again preferred the Kite Runner

I posted recommending this very book last night. I absolutely love it - easily the best book I've read to date. I've noticed it a lot in bookstores now and I keep wanting to point it out to people who are in the shop, but they may think I'm a saddo (maybe I am).

Read it a few weeks' ago but I still can't help smiling over the last paragraph - won't spoil it for you.

Going to read The Kite Runner next - hope I won't be disappointed.

It was one of the worst books I ever read. There is practically nothing in it aside from two women being abused in various ways. Since they are sort of locked up at home, author doesn't feel the need to tell us anything about Afghan life, community, daily interaction between women, customs, etc. Which I feel was deliberate, because author left Afghanistan aged 8, lived in Paris and then in California and is now an American. He wrote this book in English.

The only monument/place of interest "1000 Splendid Suns" talks about is the two Buddha statues that Taliban blew up. Which is also the only Afghan landmark that most people in the West have heard about. The book is rife with references to Pinocchio, Titanic, Old Man and the Sea, etc and reads like it is written for the Western audience. (Wouldn't it be more normal for these characters to have their own cultural references???)

In short, author doesn't know much about Afghanistan and has cashed in on the Western world's interest in the region following the US/UK invasion. Good for him. Bad, bad book, though.