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A Thousand Splendid Suns

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A Thousand Splendid Suns

By: Khaled Hosseini
Narrated by: Atossa Leoni
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About this listen

 Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of 30 years of Afghanistan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss, and by fate. As they endure the ever-escalating dangers around them, in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul, they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.

©2007 TKR Publications, LLC. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction War & Military Tear-jerking Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Friendship War

Critic Reviews

"Another searing epic....[Hosseini's] tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters." (Publishers Weekly)
"Unimaginably tragic, Hosseini's magnificent second novel is a sad and beautiful testament to both Afghani suffering and strength. Readers who lost themselves in The Kite Runner will not want to miss this unforgettable follow up." (Booklist)
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At first I thought not another incredibly depressing if pertinent tale and when Rashev makes Mariem eat stones I thought I can’t read this it is too upsetting but I persisted as our bookclub chose it. A well crafted, entering an informative story about recent times in Afghanistan. How sad when the 2000 year old statutes were destroyed. The ultimate triumph of the women’s love for each other and the children was moving. A novel which will stay with me for years to come, but I think that The God of Small Things is a better read.

Contemporary Social History of Afghanistan

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Unfortunately I know too many of these real life stories. So beautifully written and I finished it in 2 days

What a story

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this made me cry like a baby about 15 times. other than this, i have not cried in years. this novel is a masterpiece.

the end of chapter 47 is beautifully written. in just a few paragraphs, hosseini concludes and answers every thematic question that he asks throughout the novel. the interpretation he paints is so melancholy and moving that it would make even the staunchest, most stoic man fall in tears.

i was going to write some of my favourite quotes from the novel, but it is endlessly quotable; almost every line is worthy of recognition. if you’d like some heart breaking lines about patriarchy, war, hope, motherhood, or even just some very pretty prose, just listen to it. in the first chapter alone, you’ll get what you came for.

the voice acting is also amazing. truely a 10/10 experience.

best book i’ve read

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After listening to the ‘The Kite Runner’ and loving it, I was very keen to listen to this novel as well. ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ did not disappoint. If you a looking for an intense ‘real’ story, then this one is the one. Do not go in expecting any lighthearted moments because you will not find any. This story will make you cry, it will shock you and it will break your heart. It is an amazing story of resilience, perseverance and the power of the human spirit. Listening to it via Audible also brings forth the beauty of the Afghan language. Reading the novel would not do the language the justice it so very much deserves.

An intense experience

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Firstly, that a male author has such a deep insight into the female psyche is just remarkable.
In reading this story, I was completely transported to a part of the world I knew little about beyond my newsfeed.
A beautiful, sad, uplifting and engaging story of endurance against brutal oppression. Endurance indeed Mariam and Laila. You will both certainly endure with me.

A profound piece of storytelling

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This heart warming, thought provoking story is a must read for all. Touchingly narrated. Could not stop listening

A Great Listen

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Somehow, amidst the injustice, war and the savagery of men, this is a story of hope.

Heartbreakingly beautiful.

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I loved this book when I read it some years ago so I thought I’d listen to it on audible. The narration is terrible. It isn’t professional at all, there’s no feeling to it. The narrator is just reading words with the incorrect intonation and using very random and distracting punctuation. Very wooden. I’ve had to stop listening at chapter 3

My favourite book somewhat ruined

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After listening to the Kite Runner I was keen to listen to another story by the same author. This did not disappoint. Captivating story told beautifully by the narrator. Highly recommended!

Amazing story.

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It’s been a while since a story left me feeling so many conflicting emotions, and eyes blurred with tears. This was a heart wrenching story, beautifully delivered

Beautiful

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