SPOTLIGHT
‘ A Thousand Splendid Suns ‘ by
Khaled Hosseini
‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ is a novel written by Khaled Hosseini which takes place in a turbulent time of Afghanistan’s history. The tale follows Mariam, an illegitimate daughter of a wealthy man, who was tragically forced into an arranged marriage with Rasheed, a shoemaker from Kabul, after the death of her mother.
Laila is then introduced after being born and raised in Kabul years later. However, her peaceful life would soon be uprooted after a bomb kills her parents during the Afghan Civil War that would soon see the Taliban regime.
Rasheed weaponises Laila’s tragedy by convincing her to become his second wife. Unbeknownst to him, Laila had been pregnant for a few weeks by her childhood lover, Tariq but Laila acted as though the child belonged to Rasheed. Initially, Mariam viewed Laila as a deceitful girl who had stolen her husband, souring their relationship. However, they eventually form a deep bond, finding solace in each other amidst Rasheed's cruelty.
Rasheed’s abuse eventually spreads to Laila causing Mariam to sacrifice herself to save Laila, taking responsibility for killing Rasheed. She is executed under the Taliban laws, leaving Laila to build a new life with Tariq and her children.
‘Marriage can wait, education cannot.’ – Khaled Hosseini, ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’
‘By the end you are not only left with a tear, but with a fire lit within.’
– The Guardian
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini is an Afghan-American novelist who is known for his graphic depiction of Afghanistan, reflected in his best known books ‘The KIte Runner’ and ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’.
Khaled was born and raised in Kabul before having to move to Paris due to his father’s work as a diplomat. In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, making it near impossible for Khaled’s family to return to their homeland. Khaled moved to California under asylum , going on to follow a medical profession. Upon learning that the Taliban had banned flying kites in Afghanistan, Khaled was inspired to write his first book that would set off his career as a writer like no other, ‘The Kite Runner’.
December 1, 1955
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a bus to a white person.
December 14, 1961
President’s Commission on the status of Women is established to advise the U.S. President on issues concerning women.
December 17, 1993
Judith Rodin becomes the first woman to head an ivy league institution- The University of Pennsylvania.
December 10, 1896
Wyoming becomes the first territory to give women the right to vote.
December 14, 1985
Wilma Mankiller becomes the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma- major Native American Tribe.
December 18, 1979
The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, also known as the ‘Women's Bill of Rights’.
