Name: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Rating: 4.489852216748768 (1015 reviews)

Azam Kazemiyan

Rhetorical Vision of Afghan Women

A Thousand Splendid Suns

fc ♡

Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.

jade shen

Manasi Gajjalapurna

Laila watches Mariam glue strands of yarn onto her doll's head. In a few years, this little girl will be a woman who will make small demands on life, who will never burden others, 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 

 by the turbulence that washes over her. Already Laila sees something behind this young girl's eyes, something deep in her core, that neither Rasheed nor the Taliban will be able to break. Something as hard and unyielding as a block of limestone. Something that, in the end, will be 

sin h.

Ilse

Jenna-Lee Gordon

"Look at me, Mariam." Reluctantly, Mariam did. Nana said, "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, Miriam

Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam.

And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them. She uprooted them and ditched them before they took hold.

But the game involves only male names. Because, if it's a girl, Laila has already named her.

She thought of Aziza's stutter, and of what Aziza had said earlier about fractures and powerful collisions deep down and how sometimes all we see on the surface is a slight tremor.

She wished she could see Laila again, wished to hear the clangor of her laugh, to sit with her once more for a pot of chai and leftover halwa under a starlit sky. She mourned that she would never see Aziza grow up, would not see the beautiful young woman that she would one day become, would not get to paint her hands with henna and toss noqul candy at her wedding. She would never play with Aziza's children. She would have liked that very much, to be old and play with Aziza's children.

Mariam wished for so much in those final moments. Yet as she closed her eyes, it was not regret any longer but a sensation of abundant peace that washed over her. She thought of her entry into this world, the harami child of a lowly villager, an unintended thing, a pitiable, regrettable accident. A weed. And yet she was leaving the world as a woman who had loved and been loved back. She was leaving it as a friend, a companion, a guardian. A mother. A person of consequence at last. No. It was not so bad , Mariam thought, that she should die this way. Not so bad. This was a legitimate end to a life of illegitimate beginnings.

Regret... when it comes to you, Mariam jo, I have oceans of it.

Marriage can wait. Education cannot... Because a society has no chance of success if its women are uneducated, Laila. No chance.

A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing, Mariam. It isn’t like a mother’s womb. It won’t bleed, it won’t stretch to make room for you.

One last time, Mariam did as she was told.

She is the noor of my eyes and the sultan of my heart.

There is only one skill a woman like you and me needs in life... and it's this: tahamul. Endure.

Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have

There is nothing out there for her. Nothing but rejection and heartache.

A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing

"Behind every trial and every sorrow that He makes us shoulder, God has a reason.”

"some things I can teach you. Some you learn from books. But there are things that, well, you just have to see and feel.”

Khaled Hosseini

Two women born a generation apart witness the destruction of their home and family in war-torn Kabul, losses incurred over the course of thirty years that test the limits of their strength and courage. By the author of The Kite Runner. 600,000 first printing.

Hana Hansan

This book shattered me in the most beautiful way. I cried more than once, and every page made me feel deeply connected to the characters. Hosseini writes with so much compassion that their pain, hope, and love become your own. I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the last page. An absolute masterpiece that will stay with me forever.

Tiara Sharma

A cidade do sol

A powerful and deeply moving read, yet also profoundly uncomfortable. 

 does not present violence against women as isolated or merely individual incidents, but rather as part of the social, political, and cultural structures that shape their lives.

What is most painful is realizing that, although it is a work of fiction, the experiences depicted are not far removed from reality. The violence, oppression, and loss of autonomy endured by the characters mirror the experiences of countless women, particularly in contexts marked by war and fundamentalism.

It is precisely in this intersection of fiction and reality that the book derives its power: it does not allow the violence to be consumed merely as a narrative, but demands that the reader recognize it as a concrete, structural phenomenon.

Sosozinha

A powerful and deeply moving read, yet also profoundly uncomfortable. A Thousand Splendid Suns does not present violence against women as isolated or merely individual incidents, but rather as part of the social, political, and cultural structures that shape their lives.

What is most painful is realizing that, although it is a work of fiction, the experiences depicted are not far removed from reality. The violence, oppression, and loss of autonomy endured by the characters mirror the experiences of countless women, particularly in contexts marked by war and fundamentalism.

It is precisely in this intersection of fiction and reality that the book derives its power: it does not allow the violence to be consumed merely as a narrative, but demands that the reader recognize it as a concrete, structural phenomenon.

No words ✨ after reading this spectacular or I would say the best novel I have read in my life. Just wow. I can't express the real emotions I was carrying while reading this beauty. A lot of emotions, different kinds of emotions, but yeah, I managed to finish it. I'm just mesmerized by the writing of the author Khaled Hosseini. I love how he works to help Afghans and refugees and how beautifully he brings their stories, pain, hope, and resilience to life. A Thousand Splendid Suns wasn't just a novel for me it was an emotional journey that left me angry, heartbroken, hopeful, and grateful all at the same time. From the beginning, I was furious seeing what Mariam had to endure. She gave everything she had for her husband, suffered through miscarriages, carried unimaginable pain, and still tried her best to make him happy.

 I kept asking myself how someone could treat another human being so cruelly. Despite all the suffering, Mariam remained strong, and that strength stayed with me throughout the novel. One thing I loved was how Babi encouraged Laila to think beyond the limitations imposed on women. While the story is set in Afghanistan, it made me think about society in general. Even today, in many places, people continue following traditions without questioning whether they still serve us. 

The people who created those rules are long gone, yet new generations keep carrying them forward. It made me wonder why we don't create better paths for ourselves and for the people around us. Sometimes it feels like we are prisoners of our own minds. Laila's story hit me hard. Watching her agree to marry Rasheed wasn't a moment of happiness it was a moment of survival.

When she said, "My answer is yes," I felt the weight behind those words. It wasn't really a choice. It was one of the many sacrifices forced upon her by circumstances. And then came the pregnancy. Seeing Laila carry a child while living under Taliban rule, trapped with a man like Rasheed, was heartbreaking. What affected me most was how she still managed to find small moments of joy despite living in such darkness. Reading about the struggles of women trying to survive, protect their children, and hold onto hope made me emotional in a way very few books ever have. The moment I learned Rasheed had lied about Tariq's death genuinely shocked me. I couldn't understand how someone could be so cruel as to destroy another person's hope just to get what he wanted. Laila deserved happiness, and seeing her manipulated in such a way filled me with anger. 

Then Tariq returned, and for a brief moment I felt relief. But even before that reunion, there was a scene where Laila imagined a peaceful place a place with green fields, clear water, Babi reading beneath a tree, Tariq resting nearby, and dreams untouched by war. That passage felt incredibly heavy. It carried all the longing, grief, and hope of a life stolen by conflict. War itself became one of the novel's most heartbreaking characters. By the end, I kept thinking about how many dreams, families, and brilliant minds have disappeared because of wars that ordinary people never asked for. So many lives vanish in a blink, and all that's left behind are memories and unanswered questions. It made me realize how powerful hope really is sometimes it is the only thing people have left. The most powerful part of the novel for me was Mariam. She spent her entire life obeying others, carrying burdens she never chose, and accepting suffering with dignity. Then came the moment when she finally decided the course of her own life. For the first time, she acted entirely for herself and for the people she loved. I was incredibly proud of her. Her courage wasn't loud it was quiet, selfless, and unforgettable. Mariam's sacrifice broke me. I genuinely didn't know how to process her death. 

She was a woman with dignity, pride, dreams, and an enormous heart. She spent her life doing what was expected of her, yet when the moment arrived, she became the strongest person in the story. Her sacrifice reminded me that true bravery often comes from ordinary people making impossible choices. By the end, when Laila, Tariq, and the children were finally moving toward a better future, I felt something I hadn't felt for many chapters peace. Then came that final line: if the baby is a girl, Laila has already named her. Just one sentence, yet it carried the weight of the entire novel. A deep breath, a long sigh, and a smile. Mariam was gone, but she would never truly leave them. 

This book made me cry, made me angry, made me hopeful, and made me appreciate the strength that human beings can show even in the darkest circumstances. It reminded me that love can survive war, friendship can survive distance, and hope can survive almost anything. Loved all the characters at different periods of the novel. Just so much love to those people who are suffering from war and those who have suffered from it in the past. I just want peace 🕊️ in everybody's life.

Ashish Singh

No words ✨ after reading this spectacular or I would say the best novel I have read in my life. Just wow. I can't express the real emotions I was carrying while reading this beauty. A lot of emotions, different kinds of emotions, but yeah, I managed to finish it. I'm just mesmerized by the writing of the author Khaled Hosseini. I love how he works to help Afghans and refugees and how beautifully he brings their stories, pain, hope, and resilience to life. A Thousand Splendid Suns wasn't just a novel for me it was an emotional journey that left me angry, heartbroken, hopeful, and grateful all at the same time. From the beginning, I was furious seeing what Mariam had to endure. She gave everything she had for her husband, suffered through miscarriages, carried unimaginable pain, and still tried her best to make him happy.

 I kept asking myself how someone could treat another human being so cruelly. Despite all the suffering, Mariam remained strong, and that strength stayed with me throughout the novel. One thing I loved was how Babi encouraged Laila to think beyond the limitations imposed on women. While the story is set in Afghanistan, it made me think about society in general. Even today, in many places, people continue following traditions without questioning whether they still serve us. 

The people who created those rules are long gone, yet new generations keep carrying them forward. It made me wonder why we don't create better paths for ourselves and for the people around us. Sometimes it feels like we are prisoners of our own minds. Laila's story hit me hard. Watching her agree to marry Rasheed wasn't a moment of happiness it was a moment of survival.

When she said, "My answer is yes," I felt the weight behind those words. It wasn't really a choice. It was one of the many sacrifices forced upon her by circumstances. And then came the pregnancy. Seeing Laila carry a child while living under Taliban rule, trapped with a man like Rasheed, was heartbreaking. What affected me most was how she still managed to find small moments of joy despite living in such darkness. Reading about the struggles of women trying to survive, protect their children, and hold onto hope made me emotional in a way very few books ever have. The moment I learned Rasheed had lied about Tariq's death genuinely shocked me. I couldn't understand how someone could be so cruel as to destroy another person's hope just to get what he wanted. Laila deserved happiness, and seeing her manipulated in such a way filled me with anger. 

Then Tariq returned, and for a brief moment I felt relief. But even before that reunion, there was a scene where Laila imagined a peaceful place a place with green fields, clear water, Babi reading beneath a tree, Tariq resting nearby, and dreams untouched by war. That passage felt incredibly heavy. It carried all the longing, grief, and hope of a life stolen by conflict. War itself became one of the novel's most heartbreaking characters. By the end, I kept thinking about how many dreams, families, and brilliant minds have disappeared because of wars that ordinary people never asked for. So many lives vanish in a blink, and all that's left behind are memories and unanswered questions. It made me realize how powerful hope really is sometimes it is the only thing people have left. The most powerful part of the novel for me was Mariam. She spent her entire life obeying others, carrying burdens she never chose, and accepting suffering with dignity. Then came the moment when she finally decided the course of her own life. For the first time, she acted entirely for herself and for the people she loved. I was incredibly proud of her. Her courage wasn't loud it was quiet, selfless, and unforgettable. Mariam's sacrifice broke me. I genuinely didn't know how to process her death. 

She was a woman with dignity, pride, dreams, and an enormous heart. She spent her life doing what was expected of her, yet when the moment arrived, she became the strongest person in the story. Her sacrifice reminded me that true bravery often comes from ordinary people making impossible choices. By the end, when Laila, Tariq, and the children were finally moving toward a better future, I felt something I hadn't felt for many chapters peace. Then came that final line: if the baby is a girl, Laila has already named her. Just one sentence, yet it carried the weight of the entire novel. A deep breath, a long sigh, and a smile. Mariam was gone, but she would never truly leave them. 

This book made me cry, made me angry, made me hopeful, and made me appreciate the strength that human beings can show even in the darkest circumstances. It reminded me that love can survive war, friendship can survive distance, and hope can survive almost anything. Loved all the characters at different periods of the novel. Just so much love to those people who are suffering from war and those who have suffered from it in the past. I just want peace 🕊️ in everybody's life.

Thousand Splendid Suns Epz Ed

shreeznn

 One of the best books I have ever read. Set in Afghanistan, Starts off extremely tragic regarding forced arrange marriages and a bad husband, portraying the dark side of conservative islam. Eventually other topics are covered as well such as war, the mujhahidden being replaced by the taliban, the destruction of the Buddhist and literature culture to be replaced with Sharia, and how lifes travel among war torn families, broken relationships, immeasurable bonds and the support one needs in the harshest of times. Portayed a new angle of life I havent witnessed but just heard about being from India; this book made me life through all of it. Eye Awakening and spell bidding. Absolutely recommended

Aarush Arora

Lilah Welch

Adam Rad

men are the scum of the earth is what i got out of this book.

THE RICHARD & JUDY NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'A suspenseful epic' Daily Telegraph 'A triumph' Financial Times 'Heartbreaking' Mail on Sunday 'Deeply moving' Sunday Times Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, a friendship grows between Mariam and a local teenager, Laila, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.

Did not like some of the beginning but once I kept reading, it was hard to stop. Heartbreaking but beautiful.

fuck rasheed and fuch jalil and fuck all men in general. this book made me tear up so much, knowing that stuff like these happen in some countries is so sad and heartbreaking. it is heartbreaking, i kind of let this book sit on the shelf for a while bc its quite a long read but finished it in 2 days bc it was so sad that i had to know whether there is any happy moments. 

the segments with laila and mariam was so heartwarming, when aziza is born and shes holding on to mariam, those were making me grin like a wild boar. 

a classic and everyone should read this. 

harshitha

fuck rasheed and fuch jalil and fuck all men in general. this book made me tear up so much, knowing that stuff like these happen in some countries is so sad and heartbreaking. it is heartbreaking, i kind of let this book sit on the shelf for a while bc its quite a long read but finished it in 2 days bc it was so sad that i had to know whether there is any happy moments. 
the segments with laila and mariam was so heartwarming, when aziza is born and shes holding on to mariam, those were making me grin like a wild boar. 
a classic and everyone should read this. 

might start the kite runner soon.

To this day, I have not been able to reread this book and not because it isn’t worth it, but because of how absolutely tragic and devastating it was to read the first time around.

As gut-wrenching and painful as it is, it is equally profound and moving. It’s an inspiring, thought-provoking, and breathtaking story that everyone should read at least once in their life. What makes this book so remarkable is how real and honest it is. It serves as a perfect mirror held up to society’s expectations of women, the compromises they are expected to make, and how, despite it all, women continue to be compassionate, resilient, and continue to carry love in their hearts.

Sharing a name with one of the most beautifully written and yet heartbreaking  character was just the cherry on top to make me sob hysterically! 

Maryam

To this day, I have not been able to reread this book and not because it isn’t worth it, but because of how absolutely tragic and devastating it was to read the first time around.

As gut-wrenching and painful as it is, it is equally profound and moving. It’s an inspiring, thought-provoking, and breathtaking story that everyone should read at least once in their life. What makes this book so remarkable is how real and honest it is. It serves as a perfect mirror held up to society’s expectations of women, the compromises they are expected to make, and how, despite it all, women continue to be compassionate, resilient, and continue to carry love in their hearts.

Sharing a name with one of the most beautifully written and yet heartbreaking  character was just the cherry on top to make me sob hysterically! 

such an incredible, raw story of the heart of afghanistan. it is probably one of my favorite books of all time; bringing to light the injustices of afghanistan’s gender apartheid through the story of two women who, after everything, 

such an incredible, raw story of the heart of afghanistan. it is probably one of my favorite books of all time; bringing to light the injustices of afghanistan’s gender apartheid through the story of two women who, after everything, tahamul—endure. 

THE RICHARD & JUDY NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER'A suspenseful epic' Daily Telegraph'A triumph' Financial Times'Heartbreaking' Mail on Sunday'Deeply moving' Sunday TimesMariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Nearly two decades later, a friendship grows between Mariam and a local teenager, Laila, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. When the Taliban take over, life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, and lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.

once again, Hosseini has engaged, transported and left me moved to tears and empathy in a way that many authors are rarely capable of.

i mourn over this book’s gentle, raw pages — not for the otherworldly writing — but for the people, the

precious lives of Afghanistan that pour out so richly on every page.

the women of Afghanistan have never been more important.

ruth opiela

once again, Hosseini has engaged, transported and left me moved to tears and empathy in a way that many authors are rarely capable of.

i mourn over this book’s gentle, raw pages — not for the otherworldly writing — but for the people, the

precious lives of Afghanistan that pour out so richly on every page.

the women of Afghanistan have never been more important.

I found myself brought to tears several times reading this book. The story highlights the horrors of being a woman in Afghanistan - how young girls are forced into the role of a submissive wife when they are still children themselves. Set against the context of political instability and domestic terrorism (and 9/11), it left me in awe of the resilience of women to survive in the worst of conditions. Despite the heaviness, I would say this book has probably made it into my top 3 reads of all time.  

Jacqui Spears

a heartbreaking story about woman's power and the consequences of war. i didn't expect to like it that much. 

cami

Beautiful writing but pretty depressing in “is this too much?” kind of way

Valerie Yang

One of the best books I've ever read. Khaled Hosseini's writing is real, sometimes brutal, beautiful - like someone truly committed to telling stories and truths about the world. This book turned me upside down and made me reflect on a lot of things - controllable or not. The year 2024 is the third year that the Taliban invaded Afghanistan again and it hurts to know that little has changed, that stories like Mariam's, Laila's, Tariq's are repeated every day in real life.

Arissa

Force e d'e pouser un homme de trente ans son ai ne , Mariam ne parvient pas a   lui donner un fils. Apre  s dix-huit anne es de soumission a   cet homme brutal, elle doit endurer une nouvelle e preuve : l'arrive e sous son propre toit de Laila, une petite voisine de quatorze ans. Enceinte, Laila met au monde une fille. D'abord ronge e par la jalousie, Mariam va finir par trouver une allie e en sa rivale. Toutes deux victimes de la violence et de la misogynie de leur mari, elles vont unir leur courage pour tenter de fuir l'Afghanistan.

A thousand splendid suns

Maureen

"A man's heart is a wretched, wretched thing. It isn't like a mother's womb. It won't bleed. It won't stretch to make room for you."

***

I had been putting off reading this book because I knew it was a heavy one. But with everything that's been happening now, I felt it was only right that I finally pick this book up. I didn't think I'd cry as much as I did, but Khaled Hosseini really knows how to tug at the heartstrings. The storytelling is excellent as always, and the plot twists left me dumbfounded. 

I can't decide which book I prefer more, this or The Kite Runner. But reading A Thousand Splendid Suns as a woman myself just hits different. Much respect to all the Afghan women fighting for their lives amidst domestic and social oppression.

A book everyone has to read at least once in their lives, its heart wrenching, and so so real.

fareez

anjali

This is one of those books that are so intense that reading them consumes you. By the time you are done with this book, you will put it down feeling some part of you was taken away and some of the book put back in.

First of all, it is beautifully written. Khaled Hosseini's writing is pure and - although I hate the cliche - it feels like it comes straight from the heart. It's so unpretentious and kind.

Secondly, the characters. The way they develop throughout the book, they take a life of their own. You find yourself becoming anxious at various points in the book, almost holding the breath back in until you're sure the characters are all right. That's powerful story telling right there.

What I also liked about reading this book is that it gave me new insight into the Afghanistan culture. This is my second Khaled Hosseini book, so I had something already to start off with, but it was interesting to get another perspective nevertheless. I've always enjoyed learning about other cultures all that I can, so that is an added bonus.

This is also one of the books to have made me cry. And when that happens, you know you're reading a good book.

A Thousand Splendid Suns Rhetorical Vision of Afghan Women

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