"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 the 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, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a stunning accomplishment."
Not too many books have a lingering impact on me. This book did! Since I turned the last page I have been thinking....non-stop....about how lucky I am. It has also made me consider the concept of your country as your "home"....the place you want to be despite the devastation. Beyond that, I am so proud to live in a country where I, as a woman, am afforded every freedom that my male counterparts are allowed. Bless all those who have gone before me and paved the way. There is still so much work to be done, here at home, and in other countries.
Book club questions of the night: Do we (The United States) belong in these other countries....trying to sort through their battles? Do we (The United States) have the capability to understand, let alone "fix," religious wars that have been going on for centuries? If we do "leave"....will our work survive?
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