A Thousand Splendid Suns

Anyone who knows me is aware of my keen appreciation for books -- especially good books. What makes for a good book can differ. Sometimes the deep and fascinating content that presents new realities marks a good book. Other times the art of a good story is captivating.

I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, a book which captures both of the above elements while also weaving history and cultural lessons throughout. This 360-some page book was also read cover-to-cover by me in about 24 hours.

The back cover reads, "A Thousand Splendid Suns is an unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of family and friendship. It is beautiful, heart-wrenching story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond and an indestructible love." Set in Afghanistan and covering a period of time over the past forty years, this book is poignant in that we as Westerners can slightly begin to discover the horrific travesties of war. In such a ravaged country, evil upon evil is heaped onto a society and watching how personalized souls deal with such tragedy is both enlightening and heartbreaking. Watching souls overcome is even more beautiful.

If you get the opportunity, this book is definitely worth the read. Written by Khaled Hosseini, who now serves as a US goodwill enjoy to the UN Refugee Agency, this book will not only entertain and teach you, but it will also remind you to be grateful for all the goodness you've been granted in life.