I have to admit. Though I am an avid reader, this is my fifth book of the year, I have mostly read fictions by Americans, British and Indian writers. But this time I wanted to try something different. I wanted to read a book set against the backdrop of a place, which still feels surreal to me, given their treatment of women and all things deemed as western, and Khaleed Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns, was a perfect choice. I haven’t read Khaleed Hussain before, and must say he is a darn good writer who knows how to spin a tale. This is a poignant story about love, compassion and endurance. Set in the backdrop of Afghanistan , which is reeling under the outbreak of factionalism, anarchy and extremism, it is a story of friendship between two women Marriam and Laila. These two women are years apart and different as chalk and cheese. Marriam is uneducated , quiet, subdued, whose life has always been controlled by others, while Laila is educated, voluble and passionate, who doesn’t think it is a sin to sleep with her lover before marriage. Yet after an icy start they from a strong bond which stems from their common point of suffering- a demon of a husband who sits on the high pedestal of patriarchy, subjugates, twists and tortures their souls, until they reach the end of their tether. The timeline stretches- from the time when women are allowed education and freedom, they would go to watch movies with their friends, to the time when the Talibans take over and women’s rights are trampled under their feet like children crush autumn leaves. Even if they have to venture out, they have to be chaperoned by a man or would be flogged.
I absolutely loved this book, I felt like It was portal to the streets of Kabul, I could see the wreckage due to the year-long factional war, I could see from up close the women ambling around with their friends, going to universities and then suddenly a life of confinement, obedience and service where their fates are decided by men.
Daily Dose of Shilpi 