A Thousand Splendid Suns

Those who have read 'The Kite Runner' will agree with me on the exceptional storytelling abilities of Khaled Hosseini. In 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' Hosseini does a role reversal. This time it's a female protogonist, rather two of them. If 'The Kite Runner' was about finding peace outside Afghanistan, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' is all about finding hope in a war ravaged country.

The beauty of Hosseini's writing lies in his characters. Although both his books are different, still their characters are a lot similar. They all look real! The Amir of 'The Kite Runner' is now Laila and Hasan's place is taken over by Maryam. The characters, like in the previous book, show their inner strength in difficult times. And it's this style of story writing which sets Hosseini apart from the league.

As I started reading the novel I thought 'The Kite Runner' was better. It's only when the narrative starts to unfold, in the typical 'Hosseini' way, that you realise it's another classic in the making. Set against the backdrop of a country constantly at war (first the war-lords against the Soviets and then against each other), it revolves around the lives of two women. How the constantly changing political situation brings both uncertainty and hope in their lives. And how two ordinary women display exemplary courage is what it's all about. Anything more and I'm spilling the beans here.

There are times when you feel like giving reading a break, so powerful are the emotions generated by the novel. I did shed a few tears during 'The Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' was no exception either. The author has left no stone unturned in highlighting the plight of women in a Taliban governed Afghanistan.

You could actually feel the pain and suffering that Laila and Maryam go through, both, during the times of the Soviets and when Taliban took over. But inspite of all the difficulties around there's always an undercurrent of hope in Hosseini's writing, and it shows in his charaters. That's something you can always expect from an Afghan!

Khaled Hosseini's new book is an ode to the undying spirit of the people of Afghanistan in general and women in particular. This one too, like its predecessor, is not going off the shelf any time soon.

The Kite Runner

There are writers and there are good storytellers. But, seldom you find a writer who is also a good storyteller. Khaled Hosseini is that rare breed of writers. With ‘The Kite Runner’ he has created a masterpiece, one that will move even the stone-hearted. The book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years now and translated into 42 different languages. Unfortunately it took a while to lay my hands on a copy.

The plot revolves around Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US. The novel is a touching account of a friendship that goes beyond tribe and colour. The story of Amir the Pashtun flying kites with Hassan the Hazara, whom he ultimately betrays in a different way. It is the story of a war-torned region that forced many Afghans to leave behind their life earnings to move out of the country. It is also the story of a country’s stunning transformation from one that revelled in kite flying tournaments to one that flogged women in public if not modestly dressed. Hosseini has woven stories within the story to make it an entertaining read. His characters breathe life. At times you could actually feel the story as it happens.

The book also touches upon the plight of the hazara tribes in Afghanistan. How they are looked upon as lowly creatures by their own fellow countrymen. The coming of Taliban spelt doom for this tribe and Hosseini minced no words in highlighting this.

The author captures a rare beauty of Afghanistan as seen by his protogonist Amir. And why not, Hosseini was born in Kabul but the poilitical situation forced his family to seek asylum in US. It’s his longing for the Afghanistan of his childhood that reflects in his writing.

“The streets glistened with fresh snow and the sky was a blameless blue. Snow blanketed every rooftop and weighed on the branches of the stunted mulberry trees that lined our street. Over-night, snow had nudged its way into every crack and gutter.”

‘The Kite Runner’ is all about the pain of leaving one’s homeland, rediscovering our true selves, and a hope for a better tomorrow. The message is simple, ‘it’s never too late to start!’

And there’s no way you can’t but admire Khalid Hosseini as a storyteller. Read it!