A Thousand Splendid Suns

Yes, this is about the book written by Khaled Hosseini.

The title of the book inspired by the work of Saeb-e-Tabrizi, Seventeenth Century Persian Poet –

“One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls”

The verse describes Kabul.

The book is set in a war-torn land, of unfulfilled dreams, of torrid times, of misinterpretations(religion and otherwise), of wrecked relationships and of earth- shattering lies. The book is also of camaraderie, of hope, of unencumbered ambitions and of sacrifice.

Khaled Hosseini narrates a story of simple characters coloured by intricate human emotions. The book is in itself - a saga , spanning close to 30 years. The saga begins by conjuring itself through eyes of Mariam – a quiet, unwavering, God-fearing and an illegitimate child - of medium intellect and of limited wants. The saga meanders in to the life of Laila – a bubbly and spirited girl of high ambitions and above average intellect. The book unwinds through turmoils of their lives and through the saga called Afghanistan.

Khaled Hosseini spectacularly transports his message through immaculate use of metaphors, through enlivening words and by creating an effusive melody of literature. His descriptions of characters - vividly personify and transport the reader in to his world of splendid suns.

In the end – the book is about Afghanistan. Where once ‘a thousand splendid suns’ hid – became a playground to parties who could care less of her walls. The book is about the women of Afghanistan. The plight is heart wrenching and words conjure, deftly, images of sorrows that shall move the readers to empathies.

I am picking up ‘The Kite Runner’ next. What about you?