Today I’m going to write about a book which I happened to read by chance. So one cold evening all snuggled up in my blanket all cramped up due to my cycles, getting bored obviously because my sister was out of town. I asked my brother if he could provide me with some good books and he sent me this A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS BY KHALED HOSSEINI – Amazing, Heart-wrenching, Astonishing, Dreary. Yes exactly, that’s how it felt like; it is a complete pack of mixed emotions happy, sad, loving, distressful etc. etc.etc. In a world where people tend to make assumptions about people and places based on the news, preconceived notions, prejudice, etc., this book needs to be read. I think a good portion of the white and brown population hears “Afghanistan” and they think it is a country full of unreasonable Muslim extremists who all band together to plot the downfall of anyone not like them. A Thousand Splendid Suns shows the progression of life in Afghanistan from the Soviet takeover in 1980s through post 9/11 Taliban control. All of this is through the eyes of two women trying to live a normal and peaceful life just like anyone in the world wants. You will see that despite the extremists and unreasonable values of some, most of the Afghani people are no different than you and me.
Mariam is an illegitimate child, and suffers from both the stigma surrounding her birth along with the abuse she faces throughout her marriage.

Laila, born a generation later, is comparatively privileged during her youth until their lives intersect and she is also forced to accept a marriage proposal from Rasheed, Mariam's husband.
If you have not read this book yet, I think you should give it a try.
I will end with this warning: while a great and interesting book, it is, at times, difficult to read. There are situations and scenarios that are upsetting and may trigger lots if emotion. If you are extremely sensitive, it may be difficult to make it through. But, if you can, I think it will be worth it in the end.