Thursday, June 10, 2010

A Thousand Splendid Suns

pic source: helendipity.wordpress.com

I watched the movie 'The Kite Runner' about 2 years ago. Even though it was a highly aclaimed movie, I found it boring because the show was so sloooooow. I nearly fell asleep just waiting the movie to end so that I would know the ending. It was that draggy!
So, I did not read the book.

But when I saw A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, another international bestseller of his on sale, I decided to give it a try since I did not watch any boring movie of this title! :P
And I was not disappointed. I am satisfied. Actually, more than satisfied with it.

It took me only 3 days to finish the book. This is really an achievement because usually it would take me weeks to finish a book nowadays!

I find the story straightforward, the writing beautiful in its simplicity and it certainly draws the reader (me!) into the lives of its characters.
The book focuses on mothers and daughters and friendships between women. This book starts off slowly and gains speed and emotional power as it slowly unfolds.

It talks about life in Afghanistan, the violent life of the characters, ending in deaths in the hands of the Taliban. It makes me realized how lucky I am to be born in Malaysia!
It talks about love, family, society, home, acceptance and hope. I find the novel so rich and dense and emotional that I could not put it down. That was why I finished the books in just 3 days!

I think it is a must-read for those who wants to know more of the lives of women in Afghanistan.
See if you feel as lucky as me to be born in Malaysia!

p/s-I think I am changing my mind and The Kite Runner is on my to-read-list!

Rating: 7/10

Source:
http://www.nytimes.com,
http://contemporarylit.about.com

6 comments:

Mindy said...

This is one of my most most most favourite books. :)

tanshuyin said...

hehe. i like this book too. very emotionally powerful.
ehh...is kite runner's book as good as this?

Catherine said...

i haven't read this one but i'd read the kite runner, and it is very GOOD! check my blog for the review hehe..
[http://thinkb4aftertot.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-far-will-you-go.html]
the kite runner is a must read! ;)

(but yes the movie did not manage to bring that out)

tanshuyin said...

MY...gosh...i need to read the kite runner dee. i think mum's got the book. shall go read it soon.

i hated the movie. wont watch it for a second time.

SH said...

I read a thousand splendid suns. really felt sorry for the character whose dad left her since she was a child.
i still prefer the book on the chinese women's life...
and there's another.. on saudi women. cant recall the title.
As for kite runner...i was thinking of the movie. was it that bad? heard it's supposed to be good. u've got the dvd??

tanshuyin said...

i dont have the dvd. i borrowed it from peter's sis. the movie was so bad that i didnt wanna read the book initially. haha.

im now reading Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. about a girl in china with bound feet. juz started actually. loving it so far...:)

siean...u read kite runner b4 too? like it?

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