A REVIEW OF A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUN BY KHALID HOSSEINI

Yesterday, I came across a lot of edits on Khalid Hosseini’s book “A thousand splendid sun” and I can feel a burn in my heart all over again. How realistic it was. How heartbreakingly beautiful Mariam Jo’s character was written and how amazing the narration was, even after several weeks of reading it, the words, the memories and the stories hit me like a running train.

Maybe it’s my emotion, I can’t seem to tame it. I am glad I got to know Mariam Jo, to see the world through the lens of Laila. To live and relive even moments I have never been a part of. How can you not love it?

Ever since I read it, I have been meaning to write a review but words fail me every time. I recommended it to a friend and If you are the type that believes in “Maybe it’s not about the ending but the story” then A thousand splendid sun should be on your TBR.

Proceed with caution ( spoiler alert)

I know of Afghanistan, maybe seen it a couple of times in movies but I’ve also read about the Afghanistan factor as one of the reasons the Soviet Union fell.

You see, while the western world was celebrating the fall of the soviet union, it was hell in some states and that included Afghanistan, for the women in Afghanistan, it marked the end of their freedom and rights and I saw this through the lens of Laila and Mariam.

Mariam is one of the most heartbreaking character in the novel, safe to say life has been cruel to her ever since she was born. When her mother told her:
“Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always” it was not a lie.

But can you blame a girl that just wants to see the world? She knew her father was well to do and wanted to see where he lived and maybe meet her other siblings.

So, she left for the city but not before her mother promised to kill herself if she leaves. The father would not see her and on getting back, she would meet her mom’s corpse. This guilt she’ll carry for a long time.

She moved into her father’s house and was married off within days because her being in the house tainted her father’s reputation. She got married to Rasheed, who was years older than her. Life was good, mostly.

Until her unwanted marriage to Rasheed turned violent within years because she was unable to give him a child but she found Laila and then her children. They were a source of joy to her. Even when the situation got hard and they could barely have enough to eat, they still pulled through.

And there was Laila, who also married Rasheed but it wasn’t because she wanted to. She lost her parents to the war on the day they were to leave the city then received the news that her childhood sweetheart was dead too (Tariq and Laila’s story>>).There was no running for her and she gave in to fate.

My heart broke when they got caught while trying to run away. They were almost there but it didn’t work out and they were beaten up and tortured by Rasheed when they got back.

Laila was in school before everything changed. First, school closed down and then girls were stopped from going to school. And they ultimately were not allowed to work nor go out without a man safeguarding them.

When Mariam hit Rasheed with a shovel out of fear he might kill Laila, she knew her fate was sealed but she did it anyways and maybe once more to make sure he died.

Of it all, it is the cruel realisation that Nana was not wrong, Mariam gave a lot of love and never got it back and She was not a Harami, she has always been more than that.

And in another world, one where things are not this hard, I hope Mariam gets her happy ending. I hope when tears stream down her cheeks, it would be one of joy and she’ll get to kiss Aziza every single day, tell her stories and discuss with Laila.

Hi Byeol( star✨)

This is your reminder to speak kindly and be kind to yourself. You deserve it✨

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