The story revolves around two women, Mariam and Laila, born 20 years apart, but whose lives are intertwined through the events of the novel. Mariam (born in 1959) is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant named Jalil who has 3 wives and 9 “legitimate” children. Mariam’s mother, Nana, was a servant in Jalil’s house whose affair with Jalil resulted in Mariam. As you might expect, the 3 wives were less than enthused and Nana and Mariam were forced to live on the outskirts of town, making Nana a bitter often cruel person to Mariam.
The other main character is Laila (born in 1978) who lives in the same area as Mariam. Laila’s story begins with her close friendship with a boy named Tariq who loses a leg to a Soviet landmine when he’s 5 years old. Years later, with Kabul under constant rocket attacks, Laila’s family decides to leave the city. During an emotional farewell, Laila and Tariq make love. Later, as her family is preparing to depart Kabul, a rocket kills her parents and severely injures Laila. She is forced to marry Rasheed who is the husband of Mariam. She’s marries him mainly because all the people close to her are dead and because she is pregnant with Tariq’s child.
My Thoughts!!!
5 stars!!!
People told me that the book is depressing and there is violence and other horrible stuff but I don’t think the message of the book is too make you sad or depressed but to show hope and the toughness of the human spirit. What I like about the book is that he is showing that women are strong. As a woman myself I feel blessed to have the opportunities and the choices I have. I truly cannot imagine living under the conditions these women in the book live under. I am grateful to be born in a family that loves me and lets me make my own decisions and choices and to live in a country which has freedom and women equality. When I think about what those women would give to be in my shoes right know, I appreciate my life. I have never cried while reading a book but I cried like a baby reading this one. I couldn’t stop crying not only at the sad parts but at the happy ones too. After all they went through it was satisfying to know that they had found happiness and peace. I think the book was amazing and i loved it.
The other main character is Laila (born in 1978) who lives in the same area as Mariam. Laila’s story begins with her close friendship with a boy named Tariq who loses a leg to a Soviet landmine when he’s 5 years old. Years later, with Kabul under constant rocket attacks, Laila’s family decides to leave the city. During an emotional farewell, Laila and Tariq make love. Later, as her family is preparing to depart Kabul, a rocket kills her parents and severely injures Laila. She is forced to marry Rasheed who is the husband of Mariam. She’s marries him mainly because all the people close to her are dead and because she is pregnant with Tariq’s child.
My Thoughts!!!
5 stars!!!
People told me that the book is depressing and there is violence and other horrible stuff but I don’t think the message of the book is too make you sad or depressed but to show hope and the toughness of the human spirit. What I like about the book is that he is showing that women are strong. As a woman myself I feel blessed to have the opportunities and the choices I have. I truly cannot imagine living under the conditions these women in the book live under. I am grateful to be born in a family that loves me and lets me make my own decisions and choices and to live in a country which has freedom and women equality. When I think about what those women would give to be in my shoes right know, I appreciate my life. I have never cried while reading a book but I cried like a baby reading this one. I couldn’t stop crying not only at the sad parts but at the happy ones too. After all they went through it was satisfying to know that they had found happiness and peace. I think the book was amazing and i loved it.