Summer Reading Shines with "A Thousand Splendid Suns"

Like many of the 4 million readers of The Kite Runner, I could not wait to read Khaled Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. When a book like The Kite Runner is so beloved, such a runaway success, there is always trepidation in approaching the next book. Could this author possibly live up to the expectations of his readers? Many authors fail in their sophomoric attempts, but I am happy to report this is not the case with Hosseini. A Thousand Splendid Suns does not disappoint. In fact, I would hazard a guess that Hosseini has another great success on his hands, a summertime treat for readers everywhere.

At first glance, both The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns seem unlikely candidates for the best seller list. Both center on the struggles of Afghani lives, of creating a life amidst chaos and war, of walking the edge of political madness (whether the imposed Communism of a Soviet invasion or the Islamic shari'a of the Taliban), and at heart, of human struggles in these difficult circumstances. Where The Kite Runner was a coming-of-age tale of two young boys growing up in Afghanistan, A Thousand Splendid Suns is the heartbreaking story of two women, constrained by individual circumstances and joined by common misery, finding a connection in Kabul.

Although Hosseini is skilled at showcasing three decades of Afghani history in this latest novel, it is his powerful ability as a storyteller that drives his stories along. For me, this was a gripping novel that I just could not put down. The characters of Mariam and Laila and their journeys through life in Kabul became as real to me as the secrets any close friend might share. Moreover, for women readers, this story is even more striking for the realization of what life is like for Afghani women, even in the 21st century (a series of limitations fueled by the hope of a better life tomorrow). That is Hosseini's true strength as a novelist: He is able to take the lives of ordinary people in Afghanistan, and make this into an overarching story of life, loss, and the spirit of a people who have lived for years in a war-torn nation, as well as create a human connection to his readers, most of whom lead very different lives than those of his characters.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a great book on many levels and makes a gripping summer read. As good as any best seller you are likely to find on the New York Times list, and probably better than most, A Thousand Splendid Suns should make its way into your beach bag this summer.  Long after your tan will have faded, this new Hosseini story will stick with you. It will be hard to pace yourself with this novel--the story is so gripping that you will want to race to the end. Then you'll be like me, waiting yet again for the next great novel by Khaled Hosseini to hit the bookstore shelves.