A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Novel

By: Khaled Hosseini

Narrated by: Atossa Leoni

After more than two years on the bestseller lists, Khaled Hosseini returns with a beautiful, riveting, and haunting novel of enormous contemporary relevance.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness—are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heartwrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment.©2007 TKR Publications, LLC. All rights reserved; (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Powerful

This is not a happy book, although the ending is much happier than the beginning. It does offer much to think and talk about, and reminds me that I have so much to be grateful for. The situation in Afghanistan for women is abysmal, to put it nicely. This book lets us have a glimpse into what it must be like for women over there, and it is not a pretty picture. I have often wondered how I could live under such circumstances because I have a rather spunky attitude. As a child I fought for my own identity with everything within me because of two older brothers whom I perceived as being more valued than I was. Would I be inclined to do likewise under the thumb of the Taliban or Sharea Law? (sorry if I am misspelling those words) I know I would want to fight back, but the fact is, women, even strong, spunky women, are helpless over there. It breaks my heart.

This is a heartbreaking book that, nevertheless, needs to be read by everyone. It underscores the fact that, even in the face of incredible hardship and injustice, many people are inherently good and loving, and can make it through some pretty tough situations if they will turn to love instead of hate.

Beautifully read by Alossa Leoni.

Allah Bless America

This is a story of man's' inhumanity to man. It is a difficult story to hear, but a story we need to hear to be responsible adults in the global society in which we exist. This is not for children. With the daily rhetoric, and horrifing facts of the casulities in Iraq, it is difficult to stomach our government's willingness to send our country's young people (as in the past our grandfathers raised the flag in Iwo Jima), to achieve our unitied, moralistic goal of combating evil and the persecution of peoples across the planet. Though some may view this national dedication as an ego for "world dominance", this story shows us how our efforts in remote, discounted lands have achieved great things, not only in this current conflict, but throughout our country's history... Yes, with action there are always mistakes, but this story shows our country as we are viewed by the sick, downtrodden, and poor (where did I read that?). The USA shines as a beacon to liberation, justice, and the right to pursue happiness for all.

If you were in trouble, who do you want to hear... From the French in WWII, to the Afghanies/Mujahadin/Taliban as the story relates. I think all the peoples suffering injustice in the world would want to hear the engines of Apaches and Blackhawks accompanied by the call of the US Marines.

Disagree if you want, that is what we fight for... Great book!

May God, Jehovia, or Allah remove the ignorance and intolerance that is chronicled in this book... In Afganistan, Somalia, Iraq, or the next conflict. Inshallah...

Combined voices of Hosseini & Leoni AMAZING

A beautifully moving, descriptive, and incredibly sad story and Leoni's narration hits all the right notes. Her voice, too, sings and is touching and amazing. I cried many tears and I was left with a hunger for dishes from Afghanistan and for a hunger to know more about the country and it's people.

Unbelievable Moving

I thought The Kite Runner was great, this book is just as good. Please read this book, I wonder how woman endure this type of abuse and hate at the hands of thier husbands and men who are so full of rage, I was appalled and saddened by what these woman go through. This book does not lend good feelings about the muslum world for us Westerners. I guess we will never understand this way of thinking, thank GOD.

Great Listen, Sad History

I'm very glad I read this book. To see how events in Afghanistan affected people's lives, even in a fictional context, was eye opening. You'll want to listen to see what happens next, and yet because the political events are so heartless to people it breaks your heart. You almost don't want to know the next thing that will hit these people.

This is a story of women. It jumps back and forth between two women's lives and how they learn to lean on each other to survive in war torn Afghanistan, and the sacrifices they make for each other.

After finishing this book I am even more grateful I live where I do and not in a country torn by violence and war.

I think I actually liked the Kite Runner a bit better, but this was definitely worth reading. The narration is also quite good. Read this one and you won't be sorry.