Discuss your initial reaction to A Thousand Splendid Suns. What has stood out to you? What do you think of the writing so far? What do you think of the story so far? Make a prediction about an important aspect from Part One. Your response must be at least 100 words, and you need to read and respond (in a manner that promotes discussion) to at least 2 of your classmates.
30 Comments
Olivia Hansen
1/22/2016 10:20:53 am
I really liked A Thousand Suns from the beginning. I've read The Kite Runner before and absolutely loved it. I'm only about 3 chapters into A Thousand Suns (because the reading isn't actually due until Monday and some of us don't overachieve NIXON), but I really like it so far! I think it stood out to me just how relatable these characters are. After a time, as a society we start to think that the Middle East is just filled with terrorist or fighting, but this book reminds us that people are still dealing with the same problems we are in America, just hundreds of miles away. They still deal with poverty, and fathers still leave their daughters. I really like the story so far and I'm interested to see if Miriam will ever get to attend school (I hope she can, she seems so bright). I predict that she'll break from her mother. There's obvious tension between them, and I think Miriam will get older and make a break for a life of her own.
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Shanyn Boese
1/22/2016 10:25:42 am
I agree that she will most likely leave her mother and continue to new places, but what leads you to believe that Miriam will make a life on her own? Do you think she will be on her own, or with someone else like a husband, child, or friend?
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Nathan Scott
1/22/2016 10:54:09 am
I think your correct in thinking she will become independent from her mother, but this is not necessarily a good thing, as it is extremely difficult to live independently as a women in that part of the world.
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Molly
1/24/2016 02:38:12 pm
I like your insight into how the book helps reshape our view on Middle Eastern culture. It helps put some of the modern news stories into perspective, as well as ease stereotypes we have of the Middle East.
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Kaitlyn van Asselt
1/24/2016 07:40:15 pm
I agree that she will probably make a break for a life of her own at some point. I also agree with you point that here people commonly misrepresent a country or area in our minds without any real thought to what life is like there.
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Shanyn Boese
1/22/2016 10:21:08 am
At first, I wasn’t sure that I would like A Thousand Splendid Suns, although, after I started reading it, I found the novel to be captivating. I like how there are some words that are not written in English. It helps me to further understand the culture and helps me focus more on details as opposed to just the big picture. I love how the book foreshadows events, even in the small things that are said, I love piecing the story together. I think that Miriam will go through more losses, both physically (as in more people dying), emotionally (doubting herself more so than she already does), and spiritually (doubting her faith). I do think that, though these trials, she will become stronger and more confident in herself.
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Olivia Hansen
1/22/2016 10:23:21 am
I like that you incorporated how they used words from their home language. It really does help you connect with the book and gather a deeper understanding of their culture. I hadn't thought about her losing touch with her faith! That's a smart prediction, as she grows older that she might get farther and farther from God (Allah).
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KLayton Gpering
1/24/2016 06:15:14 pm
I definitely agree with you, in that, this book is very captivating. I also wasn't so sure that I would enjoy this read.
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Kaitlyn van Asselt
1/24/2016 07:41:41 pm
I like that you pointed out the use of the native words he incorporates. I also agree with your prediction that time and more trials will eventually lead her to be a stronger person.
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Nathan Scott
1/22/2016 10:51:11 am
My initial reaction to reading the first chapter of a thousand splendid suns was one of sadness, because I think I can predict the subject matter, and its not going to be happy. The fact that her mother was calling her a bastard since she was a child shows the middle eastern culture and how they view women as inferior to men. However, despite its depressing content, The book holds interest and is not by any means a bad read. I look forward to reading it and listening to other peoples opinions of the novel.
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Olivia Hansen
1/22/2016 10:57:50 am
I can see why you'd think it's a book of sadness, the plain fact that the opening chapter was riddled with harsh words and hatred between her parents, doesn't make the outcome seem very happy. I like to think she'll move on past the hatred she lives with and achieve a happier life in the future.
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Shanyn Boese
1/22/2016 11:44:02 am
I like how you pointed out that her mother calling her a bastard shows middle eastern culture. I completely agree how, in that culture, women are definitely inferior to men. I hope that as the book progresses, that Miriam breaks free from being stuck under other people and finds herself.
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Klayton Goering
1/24/2016 06:09:52 pm
I definitely agree with your reaction. This book is depressing, and the near future doesn't look too bright for Miriam.
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Tate Johnson
1/24/2016 07:42:25 pm
I agree, the first chapter is a great precursor to the rest of the book, or part one at least. Mariam’s mother uses cruel and bitter words towards Mariam’s father and also towards Mariam. These events will stay with Mariam for the rest of her life and largely define it.
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Katie Wurm
1/23/2016 08:52:29 am
Having already read this book, I have not really encountered many surprises yet. However, I find reading it over again tremendously beneficial especially now that I am focusing more on how and why it was written, rather than just digesting the story line. Some things that stood out much more to me during this read was her utter loss. First, her mother, then Miriam lost all of her rights when she became a wife. In that culture she is simply an object that must be kept, so the easiest thing to do with women is marry them off. Then she became someone else's responsibility, someone else's property.
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Leigh Hughes
1/24/2016 07:41:58 pm
I agree that in their culture women are treated more as objects than actual people. I have become increasingly aware of how much we have taken, and of how much we continue to take for granted here.
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Hannah Stecklein
1/24/2016 09:25:50 am
So far I’m really liking A Thousand Splendid Sun. I usually procrastinate assigned reading, but one night I started reading it I couldn’t put it down and am already about halfway done with it. I won’t give any spoilers away in case anyone hasn’t read that far, but I was definitely a little frustrated and emotional after about the first 50 pages. I know there wouldn’t be much of a story if everything worked out perfectly, but sometimes you just want some things to work out for the characters because you get a little attached to them.
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Molly
1/24/2016 02:36:44 pm
I agree that you get attached to the characters. I find myself wanting to help in certain situations, but knowing it's impossible because their fate has already been written. Literally.
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Katie Wurm
1/24/2016 06:00:55 pm
I definitely agree with you that it is easy to become attached to the characters. This is definitely a great way for the author to make sure that people feel the emotions as the story continues.
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Monet Kunde
1/24/2016 07:39:49 pm
I am definitely attached to the characters. I found myself getting heated at times, though I couldn't do anything for this fictional character. Sometimes I wish I could help those going through this in real life today.
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Molly
1/24/2016 02:35:47 pm
I really am enjoying the book so far. I've experienced Hosseini's writing before while reading The Kite Runner, and they both read relatively fast. His characterization is brilliant. I think something might happen to Laila's parents prompting an interaction between her and Mariam. Maybe Laila can become the child Mariam always wanted? I hope Mariam somehow repairs the rift between her and her father? I hope her father stands up for her at some point, God knows she needs someone to. It's crazy to understand how hypocritical Rasheen is being for making her wear the Burka despite the things he reads, and I hope that situation somehow resolves itself. I understand he's bitter that he doesn't have any children, but justifying his actions towards Mariam is disgusting.
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Katie Wurm
1/24/2016 06:03:06 pm
I wholly agree with you that this is a fast read. It is also the kind of book that can stick with you for a long time. The lessons taught in this book are painful, but still relevant.
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Monet Kunde
1/24/2016 07:37:50 pm
I completely agree that the abuse Mariam suffers is disgusting but it is very realistic to how it really was. I do really hope that her and her father reconnect but I don't know if he will ever stand up for her, being that she is a result of an affair and that is shameful in his and his wives eyes.
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Klayton Goering
1/24/2016 06:07:07 pm
After hearing about how depressing and emotional this book reads, I wasn’t too thrilled about starting it. Though, when I did, I was immediately captivated. I enjoy how the author uses foreshadowing. I also enjoy reading about such a different culture than our’s. The women have virtually no power, and are quickly married off at a young age, specifically Miriam. She seems to stick out from the crowd, though. She’s definitely bright, and I think that combined with the tension between her and her mother will lead to her running away from, or a defiance of, her “pre-destined” life, designed by those Middle-Eastern ideals.
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Tate Johnson
1/24/2016 07:36:37 pm
I totally agree on the point that Mariam seems to stick out from the crowd. Even though she was married off like a large percentage of women in the Middle East, she seems to have an underlying determination to make a new life for herself.
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Tate Johnson
1/24/2016 07:29:14 pm
I wasn’t as excited as everyone else seemed to be about reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. However, throughout the week everyone was talking about how it was so captivating and the couldn’t stop reading. The excitement changed my outlook on reading from gloom to eagerness. Moreover, everyone was mentioning page fifty and how what happened angered them. After finishing part one I was reflecting and remembered the dispute about page fifty and I couldn’t recall what had happened. So I looked, and found that Mariam was married off at that time. I suppose that I didn’t find this surprising due to the culture. Or maybe I was just expecting some sort of “change,” as in the book has to revolve around something substantial. Overall, Hosseini has kept me intrigued and I hope Mariam will find some resolve between her father or be able to distance herself from Rasheed.
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Monet Kunde
1/24/2016 07:35:07 pm
When I found out what it was about I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. As soon as I started reading it, I was captivated. The story is full of sadness and stuff that is completely different from our culture. It seems very accurate to how it is in strict Muslim communities. It is just very interesting to read and learn about different cultures. I think eventually Mariam will become very depressed and the abuse will begin to get much worse. I think that she will try to visit her father to see if he is okay, but I don't know if that will work out or not.
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Leigh Hughes
1/24/2016 07:37:12 pm
So far, I’ve very much enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns. I think that sometimes I can get caught up in my own little world and reading this book has really opened my eyes to what it’s like to grow up somewhere and sometime different. Although I cannot identify with many of the difficulties Mariam faces, I can relate to her curiosity and her longing for something more. I hope that Mariam will find a friend, perhaps someone her age or someone older, who will help her learn to be comfortable in her own skin.
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Kaitlyn van Asselt
1/24/2016 07:38:10 pm
I was a little apprehensive when I heard what this book was about, as generally I try to avoid reading books that I know will make me sad. However, I can recognize an incredible and well written book when I read it. His writing is brilliant and very vivid and pulls on your emotions and heartstrings. I have really enjoyed how relatable his characters are. He forces us to realize that this is a sad situation that happens all over the world, but that most people would prefer to avoid or ridicule. After reading Part 1, I believe that Mariam will someday reach her breaking point of what kind of abuse she will take from others. When this happens, I feel as though she will rebel and break out of her unfulfilling life.
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Leigh Hughes
1/24/2016 07:46:03 pm
I have also enjoyed how relatable the characters are. It almost makes it that much harder to read because you become so attached to them. I hope that Mariam is able to find her voice especially when it seems everyone is trying to keep her quiet.
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