A Thousand Splendid Suns

By: Khaled Hosseini

Narrated by: Atossa Leoni

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of 30 years of Afghanistan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss, and by fate. As they endure the ever-escalating dangers around them, in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul, they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.

©2007 TKR Publications, LLC. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Another searing epic....[Hosseini's] tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters." (Publishers Weekly)
"Unimaginably tragic, Hosseini's magnificent second novel is a sad and beautiful testament to both Afghani suffering and strength. Readers who lost themselves in The Kite Runner will not want to miss this unforgettable follow up." (Booklist)

so great

Would you listen to A Thousand Splendid Suns again? Why?

maybe

What other book might you compare A Thousand Splendid Suns to and why?

I have not read a simular story

Have you listened to any of Atossa Leoni’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not sure

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it was very moving

Any additional comments?

it is a great read

Cultural and historical importance-

Would you consider the audio edition of A Thousand Splendid Suns to be better than the print version?

The narration was impeccable, the story poignant. I read this book and as the story unfolded, I found myself moved and thankful for my own life and liberties. I also gained a respect and better understanding of the people, history and countries represented in the book. This book is a must read for older adolescents to adults.

Something special

This book will haunt you. While you aren't listening you will be thinking about the characters. When you are listening you will be greedy with each minute and hate when the book ends. It is just a special book, that blooms inside you as the characters come alive. Different from Hossein's first book, told through the eyes of women. I may just have to listen to it again.

Makes You Thankful

This is a lovely yet tragic story....so sad to realize that this sorrow still continues in our world today. The story will make you truly grateful for what you have. I would recommend this book.

Beautiful

Fantastic! A reminder that people love their countries. Even war torn and seemingly hostile countries have their beauty and ordinary people trying to live and enjoy their lives.

Devastating and Beautiful

I loved the narration but at times struggled to sit with the sadness and oppression faced by the brave heroines of this novel. Glad I finished. Four tissue tear warning.

Painfully good!

Where does A Thousand Splendid Suns rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites

What other book might you compare A Thousand Splendid Suns to and why?

The Kite Runner. Same writer. Highly recommend.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end when Miriam is in the arena.

Any additional comments?

Loved and hated this book. Written so well you feel you're there and that's what hurts.

wonderful, heart wrenching, raw

a window into the soul of Afghanistan's suffering. shows the beauty of the indomitable spirit of many men and women forgotten behind the veil of fear and misunderstanding between cultures. people from other countries need to read and be awakened to the Afghan struggle. Afghani's should read with a sense of pride at the common person's indomitable spirit against cruelty of the Taliban and their blasphemy against the one true living God Jehovah who will punish them for all they do.

Astounding

This story is crushing and astounding at the same time. I could not stop listening even though I wanted to. A well written story with unforgettable characters that I found myself hoping for better outcomes for.

An excellent listen

What made the experience of listening to A Thousand Splendid Suns the most enjoyable?

The story was unforgettable, tragic.

What did you like best about this story?

The reader obviously knew the language and could communicate her knowledge of the place and its people easily. The story, although tragic in nature, was spell-binding and educational.

Which character – as performed by Atossa Leoni – was your favorite?

All the characters were believable; I had the most sympathy, of course, for Mariam.

If you could take any character from A Thousand Splendid Suns out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I don;'t think I could take a character to dinner because I feel inadequate to their suffering, and I lack the cultural knowledge for that.