Definitely a well written book. I really felt for the main character and all the trials and tribulations she faced at such a young age and then growing into an adult. Even though I read this book a few years ago some of the passages still remain with me. I would totally recommend this book!

I picked this book up after I finished reading the Kite Runner and as I expected I wasn't let down. I was so emotionally attached to the characters of the book I couldn't pull away from the book and kept reading late into the night.

Though not a huge fan of contemporary fiction, I finally succumbed after reading several rave reviews and must admit I wasn't disappointed. Face-paced and well-written, it is easily read in a few sittings.
The story follows 2 women, Miriam and Laila, both born in Afghanistan but in different regions and hence very different worlds. Both their lives ultimately collide through the consequences of unrelenting battles, invasions and uprisings this country has undergone over the last half century.
As both women endure unimaginable suffering and degradation, the story climaxes with the rise of the Taliban and its notorious intolerance and cruelty that will make any woman reader grateful to have had the extraordinary luck of living in a free country.
What I took away from this story is that there is a culture to Afghanistan that is constantly overshadowed (or in some cases, destroyed) by its political issues. If nothing else, it compelled me to explore its history and unique culture a little further.

I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about Afghanistan and how much change it has gone through over the years. The story itself is of two different women whose lives end up connecting in the story. It is such a sad story and when you think it will start getting happier, it doesn't (but it does eventually!). The story itself has lots of unexpected turns and has you hooked the whole time. I shed tears reading this boo, but I absolutely loved it!

This book is incredible. The story captures you right from the beginning and keeps you deeply involved right through the entire book. Khaled Hosseini speaks of the absolute horrors of war and tells us of the strength of the innocent people caught in it's path. It is a touching story and an important one.

A devastatingly beautiful novel. One of the most magnificent pieces of literature I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Khaled Hosseini tells this story brilliantly. His words create vivid images of the horror that our friends in Afghanistan face daily. This is a true eye-opening novel that I would recommend to anyone. This story not only shows the power of extreme evil, but also the power of friendship and the sacrifices some are willing to make for the people they love. Be prepared to have your mind and heart opened and enlightened. An inspirational story for women, yet an important read for all.

What to say about this book. This was an emotional book to read. It really grabs your emotions. The true test of family, of friends and especially of women. I cannot believe what the women have had to endure in their life time. It astonishes me that they were able to bear so much and yet come out of everything so much stronger. I highly recommend this book. This book can't even be compared to the Kite Runner. I have to say this was much more emotional and heartfelt. Read it!

This book by the same author of "The Kite Runner", is also set in Afghanistan. I really enjoyed this book, although I liked it slightly less than "The Kite Runner". Nevertheless, it has adventure, and a rivetting story line. I found that Hosseini really developed the characters exceptionally well. I felt really connected to the characters despite that they come from a very different background to me. I think this book also helps us appreciate how within one country,i.e. Afghanistan, come people who are all very different - much like any other country. What I mean by this, is that the main characters despite being from Afghanistan, are very different people. One character is strong, independent and resourceful, while the other prefers the protection of her burkha, is obedient and loyal. Both characters are endearing.
I really recommend this book, and again, you need to get your tissue out for the end. It is a great book.

This book is a must read. I have also read The Kite Runner, but found this to be a better book. My heart broke for the women and their powerlessness in life.

Much better than his novel -The Kite Runner. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a modern story with historical background powerfully woven into the story of two women and the people they love and others who control them. You will absolutely hate certain characters while being enmeshed in Afghanistan's history and the mixture of cultures within its borders.

Such an amazing story and so well written. One of the best books I've ever read. Such an emotional, gripping and eye-opening story filled with sadness, bravery and love. The writing draws us into the characters, settings and we feel what they go through. Highly Recommended - you will not be disappointed.

There's something quite spectacular about this story that has opened my eyes to a whole knew world that is so unknown to me. I admit, there are few things I am quite unaware of when it comes to Kabul, Afghanistan during the Taliban. But while reading the book I knew exactly what was happening, historically, during the period of the novel and was pleasantly surprised that it did not overpower the storyline at all. Often I find that some authors have the tendency of bogging you down with too much facts, which then takes away from the story and vice versa. Khaled was nothing like that. A thousand splendid suns was a perfect mesh between facts and fiction.

In truth, there was a whole range of emotions I felt while reading this book and I expect for you too feel the same. These women are not a figment of the authors imagination. These are real women, living very real lives which makes it even more heart wrenching. Read it but don't be surprised to feel angry, sad (even in tears) and truly happy for these two beautiful women. I promise you will not regret it.

every woman should read this book...makes me thankful everyday i was born in canada...i can not express how good this book is YOU HAVE TO READ IT

beautifully written, captivating story!! I definitely recommend this one

At the risk of sounding cliche, this is one of the most incredible books I have ever read. It is a story so beautifully written, so poetic, you can't help but give up your heart and soul to it. I read this author's previous book, The Kite Runner, and thought there was no way this second book could possibly measure up, but I was truly wrong. This book is as good if not better than his first. A Thousand Splendid Suns will open your eyes to the heart-breaking struggles the people of Afghanistan endure. It will help us, as Westeners, to be less judgmental and certainly more understanding of unfathomable circumstances that are so foreign to us.

This book was absolutely fantastic. One word cannot describe the deep meaning of this book. It broke you apart and got you cying at parts, it made yuou feel the characetrs pain. I absolutely reccomend it. It was...astonishing. It makes you look back at your own life and appreciate it that much more, because you donthave to go through what Laila and Mariam went through. This book was absolutely heartbreaking and inspiring. One of my favourite books of all time! wow...Khaled Hossieni is an AMAZING author. Every word he writes down comes to life in this book.

The interweaving story about two women growing up in Afghanistan may be fiction but one can imagine it is an exaggerated version of life in the female oppressed nation. It is a well written and extremely sad tale, with one or more tear-inducing moments.

The reader becomes sympathetic to the two main characters, who are subject to a lifetime of torture at the will of one man, who deprive them of almost any reason to live. They endure abuse, but never let go of their dignity, pride, and hope, never surrendering their souls. With the government in collapse and heavily corrupted from war, the reader hangs on with them, holding out hope that against all odds they can escape and find a better life for themselves.

Khaled Hosseini does a wonderful job with this sad and eye-opening title about the life of two women in war-torn Afghanistan.

Before I tell you how great the book was, how you should read it and blah blah blah, let me tell you what I feel ahsamed of saying as a citizen of North America. I had no idea, not even the slightest, what it is really like out there in Afghanistan with our troops fighting and innocent people getting killed until I started reading this book. You would figure that with so many years gone by and the several papers I wrote on this subject for school would be enough to give me a glimpse into the hell-fire but my vague suspisions were just hitting the surface beforehand. Once you pick up this masterpiece you realize that you aren't holding an ordinary novel in your hands. There are few in the world that are like it. It literaly opens your eyes and squeezes your heart that even the most stone-like will weep with sadness.

It is a definite must-read. The author draws you into the world so deeply that you start to feel as though Leila and Mariam's misfortunes have somehow morphed into your own. By the last word on the last page you will feel a tad bit more humane and a whole lot more thankful for the peace and security we have here. It is beautifully written and I recommend it to anyone who is willing to shove Hemmingway, Dostoyevsky, Stephenie Meyer and Stephen King away long enough to allow a little truth to seep into their non-fiction bubble. You will not regret it, I promise!

what a beautiful, sad,motivated and devistating book. It was definetly amazing picturing it through someone elses eyes. What a great book!!

Personally, I thought that the subject of the treatment of women in Afghanistan was intriguing - most everyone knows of the liberties the media takes regarding the altering of info available to the public, so the promise of this book was simple and inviting: to uncover a bit of truth.
However, this promise faded after a few chapters when I found out how shallow the writing was, and that it suffered from the same affliction as Dave Eggers' 'What is the What' - it's an easy way out for those whose consciences seek soothing. People know the gist of the problems occurring in far-off lands, but don't really know the specifics. For some, reading this book is their way of engaging in the conflict behind the comfort of distance and anonymity, but to me it seemed like the novel pushed an attitude of ethno-centrism rather than one of cultural relativism.
Ultimately, Hosseini sent no message with this novel as he refused to take a side with regards to the central issue. I enjoyed the format of the book - the time shifts and changes of points-of-view - but it felt as though he was merely trying to make some fast cash.