Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.”
— Saib-e-Tabrizi
Have you ever heard about the tragedy that befell Afghanistan?
I hope you at least know about the atrocities committed under the tyrannical rule of the Taliban. But trust me, whatever you’ve heard is nothing compared to the pain, suffering, and silent endurance lived by Mariam and Laila in A Thousand Splendid Suns.
First of all, hats off to the author, Khaled Hosseini, for crafting such a hauntingly beautiful tale — a roller coaster of human emotion set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s turbulent history. The way he weaves real-life events into the stories of his two protagonists makes everything feel painfully real, as if it all unfolded right before our eyes.
It’s hard to believe that humans can truly stoop this low in the name of religion and rule.
First came the Soviet Union, which captured Afghanistan and imposed its rule for over a decade (1979–1989). In rebellion, the Taliban rose to power — welcomed by the Afghan people as saviors who would drive away the Soviets and bring peace. Little did they know that their supposed liberators would become their worst tormentors.
Under Taliban rule, strict and brutal laws governed every aspect of life. Disobedience often meant punishment — or death. Through Hosseini’s words, we witness how ordinary people were crushed under the weight of tyranny and war. The story moves through the changing chapters of Afghanistan’s history, each filled with pain, loss, and rare sparks of hope. And finally, the U.S. invasion becomes the last nail in the Taliban’s coffin — yet even then, the scars remain.
Afghanistan has endured so much — shifting rulers, broken promises, endless wars — but the true victims have always been its people.
I haven’t spoiled the book for you; what I’ve shared are only the historical shadows that shape it. Reading this blog won’t give you even a fraction of the experience that awaits within those pages.
So, go read it. However you can — though I’d recommend a physical copy if possible.
Lose yourself in the world of A Thousand Splendid Suns, and feel the pulse of a nation’s heartbreak through the lives of Mariam and Laila.
Because some stories don’t just need to be read — they need to be felt.
