Book Review
One of the great societal paradoxes—and one that deeply unsettles me—is the legal suppression and subjugation of women in an era of such remarkable technological and social progress. Oppressive traditions continue to dominate the lives of millions of women worldwide. In Afghanistan, in particular, women’s existence is still marked by violence and fear.
Khaled Hosseini, an Afghan-American writer, masterfully portrays these realities in A Thousand Splendid Suns, crafting a vivid and heartbreaking depiction of two women’s cruel destinies under Taliban rule. Hosseini powerfully calls out what he describes as “one of the great unresolved injustices of the modern world”: the gender apartheid imposed on Afghan women (2007, p.411). This novel, his second international bestseller following The Kite Runner, further exposes the deeply ingrained hardships faced by women in Afghanistan.
Mariam is still a child when she is sent to Kabul to marry the coarse and domineering Rasheed. After years of suffering, Laila, a local girl, enters her life. From the very beginning, their bond is one of mother and daughter—two women united by love and endurance. Their journey is fraught with unimaginable obstacles, but their resilience and determination to survive prove stronger than the forces that seek to oppress them. Indeed, their souls, infused with the radiant energy of love and hope, shine like splendid suns over the harsh landscape of their destinies. Mariam and Laila embody the spirit of Afghanistan’s women. Through his exquisite storytelling, Hosseini underscores a profound truth: love is an essential ingredient for survival.
Through clear, evocative scenes, the novel immerses the reader in life under Taliban rule—a time engulfed by political turmoil, war, oppression, starvation, brutality, and fear. The raw humanity of the narrative grips and shakes the reader, ensuring that the suffering it depicts is deeply felt.
Hosseini’s intention was to challenge Western misconceptions about Afghan women. The novel’s international success proves that his message has resonated widely. I found myself surprised, outraged, and deeply moved by this story. Its triumph of goodness over cruelty offers hope. In the end, it is the splendid suns—the enduring vision of change—that linger, carrying with them the promise of more love and less suffering in the world.
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Anisoara Laura Mustetiu
