Synopsis:Amazon.co.uk
Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry the troubled and bitter Rasheed, who is thirty years her senior. Nearly two decades later, in a climate of growing unrest, tragedy strikes fifteen-year-old Laila, who must leave her home and join Mariam's unhappy household. Laila and Mariam are to find consolation in each other, their friendship to grow as deep as the bond between sisters, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. With the passing of time comes Taliban rule over Afghanistan, the streets of Kabul loud with the sound of gunfire and bombs, life a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, the women's endurance tested beyond their worst imaginings. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism. In the end, it is love that triumphs over death and destruction. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is an unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of family and friendship. It is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond and an indestructible love

I started this wondering if Khaled Hosseini’s second novel would be as powerful as ‘The Kite Runner’ It is once again a compelling tale of real life in Afghanistan, this time over a period of thirty or so years, with the complicated political situation forming the background.
The two central characters are Mariam and Laila who unexpectedly thrown together form a very strong friendship. Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of Herat businessman Jalil Kahn and for the first fifteen years of her life she is hidden with her mother Nana in the countryside, so as not to cause the family embarrassment. It is only on the death of her mother that Jalil takes her into his home unwillingly. To Mariam’s distress he very quickly arranges a marriage for her to Rasheed a man thirty years her senior and from the distant town of Kabul. The marriage is not a happy one and Rasheed is an oppressive and resentful husband.
The other protagonist is Laila a late daughter born to neighbours of Mariam and Rasheed in 1978 a time of great uncertainty in Afghanistan. Laila was only two years old when her brothers went off to fight. Neglected by her mother who only lived for her sons Laila grew up becoming very close to a neighbour and friend Tariq. A twist of fate causes these two women to be thrown unexpectedly together and it is a heart wrenching story of the suffering of Afghani women, in the end love for each other and love for Afghanistan conquers all.

I think we all know the bookray etiquette by now, but please make journal entries and pass on within a reasonable length of time, thankyou.

Melamura Italy
Mallary France Update 10.11.08 as no one else wants this it is up to Mallary to decide what happens to it next!
cally-c UK (Skip as copy received as Birthday RABCK Oct 2008)

I am still waiting to hear from a couple of other people so there might be slight changes to the order.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I will be seeing Melamura soon so will be handing this over to her then.

I read this before The Kite Runner and thought it was a really well-written story. I found it to be a harrowing account of life in Afghanistan and I thank God that I don't have to live in such a restricted society. Ultimately, the book portrays a story of love in a time of extreme hardship and I look forward to reading the Kite Runner (which I have just received from another Bookcrosser).

on its way to Mallary...enjoy

Thanks so much for sending this, I will read it and then check the wishlists and surprise someone!

Reserved for suedo.