While Kite Runner is still probably my favorite of the two, “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini also did a great job of transporting me to an Afganistan of the 80’s and 90’s. Americans should take the time to read books like “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns” to get some background on what life in Afganistan has been like and how America played a part in that.

I found myself highly sensitized to Mariam’s difficult life. Hosseini does an excellent job of making his protaganists multi-faceted so that you both find them endearing and disgusting and Mariam (and Laila) are no exceptions. As with “Kite Runner”, you’ll find this novel to be an emotional one and you’ll likely vacillate between feelings of anger and despair to great hope and excitement.

I recommend “Thousand Splendid Suns” to anyone who enjoyed “Kite Runner”. If you haven’t yet read “Kite Runner”, read it first.

Buy this book for: Anyone who likes history, who seeks to understand Afganistan, who enjoys a great story, who’s passionate about women’s rights.

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