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A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini

Discussion: Book Suggestions

Why we're reading this: It looks at the lives of two different women in similar circumstances, how they react to life in Afghanis…more
[close] It looks at the lives of two different women in similar circumstances, how they react to life in Afghanistan during dramatic changes, and it has stayed with me for a long time.

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What Members Thought

Aug 07, 2007 Otis Chandler rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction

I'm not sure if I love Khaled's characters (see my review of The Kite Runner), but the man can tell a story. I think all Americans need to read this book, as it helps to understand and sympathize with what the people in Afghanistan have gone through. Particularly interesting as the book spans 30+ years and paints a very graphic picture of how Afghanistan changed in that time. From Russian communists to warlords to the Taliban to US Army, there have been no shortage of invaders and wars, and vict ...more

31 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2013 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Excellent. (More later)

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 19, 2007 Amanda rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I'm on a Mid East kick right now following The Forever War, and the pickings are slim for fiction in translation so I grabbed A Thousand Splendid Suns off the shelf where it'd been waiting since I borrowed it from my sister two years ago. I read The Kite Runner in the summer of 2005 and thought it was overhyped; this follow-up has solidified that opinion of Hosseini in general.

Yes, it's important for Americans to read and be more aware of Afghanistan (they should read The Forever War) and yes th ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 23, 2010 Jill rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the incredible story of how the very different lives two Afghani women become intertwined. The book spans the modern history of Afghanistan and is a good primer on the politics of a complicated country.

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Dec 26, 2007 Heather rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookclubpicks

Easy, quick read. Enjoyed the current history of Afghanistan which was woven into the story ... but I've read a few too many repressed/oppressed women stories lately and just might need a break! ...more

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