A Thousand Splendid Suns

In the reading guide that is at the end of the book, as part of the suggested further reading, appears Half of a Yellow Sun, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and I thought that it was an excellent recommendation because as I was reading A Thousand Splendid Suns I was also thinking that these two books had a very strong connection. In both cases, the authors try to teach the reader about the history of their countries. Though, I must say, I thought Half of a Yellow Sun was more successful in that regard.

  A Thousand Splendid Suns concentrates on the violence that Afghan women have endured even before (in the case of rural Afghanistan) the rule of the Taliban. To the extent that the narrative becomes quite dark and depressing. Reading the book became much more enjoyable and interesting once my friend Katherine Wellington taught me more about the history of Afghanistan. Knowing more about the social and historical context in which the characters develop does make you appreciate the story in a more complete way.
  I am definitely grateful that I read this book because, once again, I feel like I am aware of more aspects of human history around the world. I also thougth the book was well written. It has several poignant passages that succeed in conveying the cruelty and severity with which Mariam and Laila were treated.