Hosseini's Tribute to the Women of Afghanistan | A Review of A Thousand Splendid Suns

"...every Afghan story is marked by death and loss and unimaginable grief. And yet...people find a way to survive, to go on."

I was introduced to the writing of Khaled Hosseini in the summer of 2023 when I read his first novel, The Kite Runner. The book follows the life of a boy from Afghanistan who must come to terms with the haunting events of his past amid a backdrop of war and turmoil. 

While also set in war-torn Afghanistan, Hosseini's second novel A Thousand Splendid Suns takes a slightly different focus, chronicling the intersecting lives of two women: Mariam and Laila. Without giving away the plot of the book, what most fascinated me about this novel was the way in which it emphasized the consequences of individual's decisions, both intentional and accidental. Every choice made in this book, whether big or small, set characters on an irreversible path--sometimes with positive outcomes, but other times far more grim. Through reading the novel, one is forced to confront the weight of human agency and the deep interconnectedness of individuals.

I already knew The Kite Runner was a heartbreaking novel, but A Thousand Splendid Suns was unexpectedly even more so. Though often struck down and faced with a myriad of difficulty, Mariam and Laila display an unfathomable amount of courage and love, which miraculously seems to carry them through even the most bleak of times. The story itself may be fictional, but through Hosseini's masterful character building one develops deep empathy for the real women of Afghanistan who have and continue to face similar hardships. 

The most disheartening aspect of this book (as well as The Kite Runner), is knowing that Afghanistan is arguably worse off now than it was at the time the novels were first written and published. Recognizing this as a reader makes the book carry even greater weight than perhaps even Hosseini himself originally intended. 

Despite the emotional weight the story, I cannot recommend this novel enough. It is a testament to bravery and resilience in the face of unimaginable grief and hardship, as well as a beautiful ode to the women of Afghanistan and all they have endured. A Thousand Splendid Suns reminds readers that to merely survive the cruelties of life and keep moving forward can sometimes be the most triumphant and courageously defiant act of all. The woman of Afghanistan perhaps embody this message best.