A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007, Hardcover)

Read the Kite Runner and became interested in the cultures of Afghanistan. I really enjoyed the book and now I'm reading the Thousand Splendid Suns and can't put the book down. The cultures are so different.

This book was amazing. The best book I've ever read in my entire 33 years of life. The writing was eloquent and the story was moving and drew such intense images in your mind that you felt like you were actually "there" , experiencing everything from the sidelines. The book is about 2 women in Afghanistan and their tormented lives. The story is about love, loss and finding one self in an environment that can dampen the most upbeat of spirits. Tragedy and unbearable sadness rule the womens lives and you wonder how they could ever lift themselves out of their pathetic world, given the fact that they have no respect from anyone (women and men alike) and have so few rights to even *exist* in this county of their birth. This book makes me thankful to have not been born in such an inhospitable land and I truly hope that things are improving though I know that women are often mistreated in the same way all over the world. This book is a real eye opener but shows that even women who are submitted to this type of extreme abuse and repression are capable of lifting themselves up and finding freedom, though it may come at a huge cost.

I love to read and this was a good buy. The price was better than my book club. I love hardcover books and this was a new book. It really beats making a trip to the library. Thank You tan4675

I purchased this book for my daughter and she could not put it down! She sat up half the night reading it the day I gave it to her. She said it is even better than Kite Runner. She rates it as EXCELLENT!

A fantastic book about the dynamics of a family and how families can hurt each other without intention. The main characters are strong, strong women that you will easily fall in love with. Rich scenery, traditional history, and a wonderful story woven by a fantastic writer!

Like the KITE RUNNER by the same writer, this book is a page turner. As soon as I got the book i started reading it and could not put it down.

I really like that the author uses the true terms throughout the books like "kaka","namaz","sawab" " harami" then gives the english translation.

I also like that he explains the different cultural groups in Afghanistan.

While reading his books i constantly remind myself that these books are fiction. It pains me to realize that these events described in this book(s) are true for some females,or children in that part of the world. For example spousal abuse, child abuse, women's lack of rights.

When the author describes Pakistan and Afghanistan before the wars, i felt like i missed out on seeing countries that were beautiful, compared to what we see on television today.
I highly recommend Khaled Hosseini's books and I look forward to reading future books.

I have a feeling that his books are going to be required reading in Sohools.

I heard a few people mention the name of this book which caught my attention. I really did not know about the story or author but ordered the book anyway. My Ebay purchase came quickly and was in perfect condition. I really did not think I would enjoy the book until I began reading. I was caught up in the story right away and have not been able to put it down. The author has the wonderful ability to make you feel like you are there with the characters of the book both in their heads and their environment. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to read a good story. You will get a surprising perspective on a region of the world we have come to fear and hate.

There was a mistake and the wrong book was sent, but the problem was rectified in a timely manner without a lot of fuss. Thank you.

I purchased A Thousand Splendid Suns after reading Kite Runner by the same author. I was not disappointed. The story is well written. I like this author very much.

The item was in perfect condition and was delivered very quickly. I was extremely happy with the purchase. I would definitely purchase from this seller again.

somewhat laid up with a fractured foot I'm starting to feel that I'm reading too much [lol]. This is the second much anticipated book by Hosseini. It's the plight of 2 women in Kabul in an unlikely allinance and their lives. Khalids' first book made you feel there and with the characters [mainly also the american side of places I have frequented and people I know] this one is kind of second party to me. I feel someone is recounting a tale. It's good but you don't so much feel that your sitting at the table with people [I wanted to get my hands on his first books character] and being told about them, I didn't expect the ending and he still through me in a couple of loops, waiting for the next

I read the book because it was our book club read and found myself recommending the book to fellow co-workers. Really puts things in perspective for a woman. One of those books you don't want to put down.

Wonderful Book....it's so easy to read Khaled's style of writing. You feel like you know these people in Afghanistan. It was a used book but it's in Mint/brand new condition. I'm still reading it ... but it's a great book. I loved the Kite Runner so I was interested in reading another book by Khaled Hosseini.

Great read; plunges reader into the reality of living in war-torn Afghanistan from the female point of view. It made me think of how I'd do born into that situation-probably not too good. When I was growing up, although I wouldn't call my dad or most of the men I knew abusive, they definitely expected to be obeyed, served & put first. Due to the freedoms women have now &, to some extent, take for granted it's easy to forget how recently it was so different. As a woman, I'd want those same freedoms for all women & realize that just because we have them now doesn't mean that we'll always have them. Plus the book made me aware of how easy it is to be complacent & allow bad treatment even when there is recourse. Sadly, too, as shown in this book, other women are often the problem as much as the men. If women ever learn to agree to allow women freedom to be themselves without being condemned by other women that will be amazing. This book is a great example of how two women did this for one another. Enjoy!

I loved this book. I liked it even better than The Kite Runner. It's a wonderful story about women and the hardships they endured along with small joys that kept them going.

Awesome story! Worthy of the Kite Runner, the story is mesmerizing.
Can't help but be left with a deep sense of sympathy for the true Afghani people who have lost so much to the war and turmoil in the country. The plight of the women is acutely felt as one follows the story of these two whose lives become intertwined. It is tragic and beautiful, and immediately reminds you of the famous National Geographic photo of the Afghani girl with the stunning green eyes, hers is the incredible potential of the people. NG found her recently, in her thirties, but appearing much older and life-worn. Her destroyed beauty and this story are haunting reminders of the cruelty and destruction that war wages on people.
A must read. Sure to enthrall, shock and amaze.

Well...I have only one complaint regarding Khaled Hosseini's writing. After reading him, I am at a loss to find another book as interesting. His ability to weave heart rendering fictional characters with historical fact, is unsurpassed. I find myself lingering over every chapter, every colorful description...wanting to draw out and consider each word. I didn't think Hosseini could write a another story as emotionally charged as The Kite Runner...but he's done it again, and I will hungrily await his third book.

Every bit as good as The Kite Runner. geared more towards the women's struggle in Afghanastan.

Highly recommended.

Especially perfect for Bookclubs. Evokes easy yet fervent discussion.

Wonderful book, you'll feel connected to Mariam and Laila, the main characters, and feel the agony and heartbreak they each feel as they experience war, family dysfunction, love and lost love. A must read, one you won't soon forget.

** Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. His mesmerizing second novel, A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS [SPLENDID SUNS], begins and ends in his birth-city, a city of natural beauty, excesses of wealth and poverty, and most unfortunately, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a city devastated by destruction and death perpetrated by the few upon the many, by external invaders and internal power struggles. Hosseini came to the United States in 1980 yet the place of his birth lives on vibrantly in his heart, and in his subtle yet enchanting writing to this day. ** Without knowledge of the glowing reviews for this book, I began to read it. Within 40 pages, I knew that this novel deserved the glowing reviews, and moreover that it would compel me to keep reading it alone, each evening. Usually I read four or five books at the same time: one novel on Monday, a different one on Tuesday, biographical non-fiction on Wednesday, Haruki Murakami on Thursday, Virginia Woolf on Friday, and so on. Hosseini's narrative and characters banished all competitors until I had reached the last page of SPLENDID SUNS, deeply wishing, at the minimum, for an additional 100 pages. ** Five families draw their breaths in and out, and reveal their disparate feelings, thoughts, experiences in this mysterious and emotionally insightful novel: Jalil, his competitive wives and privileged official children; Nana and the illegitimate Mariam (at 5) fathered by Jalil, both of them banished by him to a remote one-room hut; Mariam (at 15) and Rasheed (at 55), offically wife and husband, who descend from a practical couplehood to a vicious animosity; Laila, orphaned by war, forced to join the household of Miriam and Rasheed, an innocent Laila pining for her childhood friend, Tariq whom she wonders if she will ever see or talk with again; Mariam and Laila, very slowly transforming into allies, and then into supportive friends who are determined to survive the Hell they must endure every day at any cost; finally, Laila and Tariq, united again against all probability, finding themselves, battered and mutilated by time and bombs, building a future together amidst the desert and destroyed buildings in which they thought they would surely die, to be devoured by dogs. Through these five families I learned about and felt for every human in this beautifully written work of art, a book about a far-away land with people who need and deserve all that life, love, and peace offers. The kind of life, love, and peace we all seek and hope for. ** For all the enjoyment and details, get A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS. Linda J. Langham. May 20, 2007.

This book lets you understand a little more the current situation in Afghanistan through easy to relate to characters. Once you start reading there is no way you can put the book down. It is very unpredictable.
Please read it! you will not regret this buy!

I enjoyed reading this book about life in another country I know I will never visit. It is a heart moving tale about the life of a young girl in Afganistan/ Pakistan and what happens to her when she marries beacuse her father doesn't want to take care of her with his other family. She is born out of wedlock and is shunned by his family. It has an unexpected ending .Quite intense.

I wanted this book for a long time. Buying it on e-bay I got a great price and didn't have to leave my home to receive it. It came to me in a short time. It's in really good condition and I didn't have to stand in line to get waited on or run around a store looking for it. It was there on the site. I typed in a few things and used pay pal-didn't even have to touch dirty money. And it arrived in my mailbox within a few days. It's going to be donated to our new all volunteer all donated items library after I am done with it. It was a winner all the way around.