A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

A thousand splendid suns is a book by Khaled Hosseini an Afghani writer. In this novel he tries to recount the experience and emotions of two Afghani women Mariam and Laila. Who become knotted with recent wars in the country. With depressing and heart rending their stories offers a ray of hope. With gender conflicts, poverty and land wreck they promise to keep happiness among themselves.

The story begins in early 1970’s, when Mariam was in her teens. She lived with her single mother whom she called nana in an isolated spot from the town where Jalil (her father) was a local movie theatre owner. Mariam’s mother used to serve at Jalil’s house where he already had three wives, when Nana got pregnant, Jalil didn’t proposed for marriage, but built a modest house for her on the hill out of the town, which made Nana a bitter and sickly woman. Jalil comes to visit Mariam once every week and charms her to believe he will fully claim her one day, though Nana tries to destroy Mariam’s fancy as she is quite sure Jalil will betray Mariam one day. After Nana’s death Jalil takes Mariam to his home, but gives up by the demand his wives’ to send her away by offering her as a bride to much older man.

Mariam’s husband Rasheed who was a middle aged man in his late forty’s was a successful shoemaker in Kabul. When Mariam first sees Rasheed, his physicality scares Mariam. When she leaves Jalil’s house she swears not speaking to Jalil again as he didn’t allowed her to stay in his home.

The story now travels to Kabul. Rasheed is man who believes in ruling over his wife. Mariam was his second wife, he lost his first wife and son in mishap, Rasheed’s orthodoxy didn’t allowed her go outside without him, and whenever she steps out she had to wear burkha. Rasheed remained to her good favor until she had few time miscarriages and was unable to bear a child, which eventually turned Rasheed more evil and cruel and started routinely beating her often by made up reasons.

The story switches to Laila an adorable and well educated daughter of her father, one of the modern girl of afghan, though Laila’s mother heed more on her sons and ignores Laila. She goes into complete depression when one day they go off to war and were killed. The Russian and Taliban armies’ clashes drops a missile at Laila’s house leaving her parents dead and herself injured. Rasheed takes Laila to his home and insist Mariam to nurse her. Laila had a male childhood friend named Tariq who was her love interest left with his family to Pakistan to escape Afghan war. Sooner Tariq left Laila came to she was pregnant with Tariq’s child. On her way of recovery at Rasheed’s house, a stranger came to visit Laila and claims he met Tariq in a hospital, he said, Tariq was badly injured lost his both legs and died of his injuries. Later Laila learns that Rasheed paid the man to tell her the story. Everyone including Rasheed knew Tariq and Laila were in love. After the man’s visit Rasheed offers marriage to Laila knowing that she cannot make a living for herself, but Mariam does not welcome the agreement.

As time rolls on Laila gives birth to a daughter Aziza, but Rasheed guesses Aziza not be his. A couple of year later Laila gives birth Rasheed’s son Zalmai. After the birth of his son Rasheed starts treating Laila much like he treated Mariam. She was now often beaten when she talks back to him.

Laila was Mariam’s only friend now, they were very much close to each other, Mariam nattered her past to Laila which never did before. One day, Tariq returns and expresses his love. Laila takes him to see his daughter, whom she has been forced to place in an orphanage so the little girl would be guaranteed food.

By the time Rasheed has lost his business, and money is scarce. When Rasheed finds out that Tariq is back and has been to the house, he beats Laila. His temper intensifies when Laila talks back, and he tries to strangle her. Mariam, fearing for her friend’s life, hits Rasheed in the head with a shovel, killing him. In order to save Laila and the children, who might be implicated in the murder, Mariam turns herself over to the Taliban. She is sentenced to death.

Laila and Tariq run away with both children and live in Pakistan. But after the United States invades Afghanistan, the family returns to Kabul. Laila and Tariq also visit Mariam’s homeland Hirat and discovered few facts and gifts for Mariam by her father Jalil at time of his death.

The story ends with coming back of Laila and Tariq to Kabul silver lining their love for each other, as well as their love for their homeland, despite its cruelties and harshness and hardships, ends the novel on a high note, suggesting the possibility of a better future.