Blinking to my sudden exposure on reality, I closed the book and took a minute to return to the life I’ve been privileged to have.

In his novel, Hosseini brings to life Mariam, the illegitimate child who is forced to live under the dark shadow of the stigma surrounding her birth and
later on the abuse delivered by Rasheed, her husband (ehem, owner) and Laila, who, born a generation later, is forced by the war to leave behind her lover, education and comparatively privileged life and be Rasheed’s second wife. The story is set between 1960-2005 Afghanistan, under the cruel rule of the Taliban and follows the two women’s journey of pain, abuse and friendship in a country determined to dehumanize them at every turn.  

A book deserving of a thousand splendid stars. It teaches strength, resilience, love and a history most of us are lucky enough to ignore.

Enjoy and bring a book home. x