Monday, July 19, 2010

A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini

ISBN # 978-1-59448-950-1

"Learn this now and learn it well, my daughter: Like a compass needle that points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam." pg. 7

And so begins the painstaking haunting story of Mariam. I am totally drawn in from the get-go by Khaled Hosseini's story telling. I love how there is just the right balance of description and story line and you are never lost in either one, it just flows from one sentance to the next, one chapter the the next. It is simple and clear. I loved this story.

I did have to ask myself about half way through why I loved it. I was beginning to beg for relief in my heart wondering when the characters would ever have a break, or when ever the good would arrive on the scene. I had to remind myself that this story is the story of countless nameless and often faceless women in many oppressive Islamic societies today and I compelled myself to read on.

The story is really two main stories woven together in a brilliant way. It chronicles 30 years of recent political history in Afghanistan starting during the Soviet occupation through the over throw of the Taliban. It is amazing insight into what the Afghan people faced yet again with just enough Political and Religious information as to keep you interested but not loose you. You are able to fall in love with the country and loath in injustices all at the same time. I tell you this author is brilliant. I have to say for those disturbed by the story line of The Kite Runner, that this story is equally disturbing however deals more with domestic abuse rather than sexual abuse.

"this little girl will be a woman who will never let on that she too has had sorrows, disappointments, dreams that have been ridiculed. A woman who will be like a rock in a riverbed, enduring without complaint, her grace not sullied but shaped by the turbulence that washes over her......"Pg 355

This is "her" story.

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