This is a free-for-all forum. What is your final reaction to A Thousand Splendid Suns? How did it make you feel? What would you have changed? What pleased you? Let the verbal vomit flow!!!!
13 Comments
Nathan Scott
2/19/2016 10:32:13 am
I had multiple reactions to a thousand splendid suns. the first one I had was one of contentment as Laila finds a great life for herself as a teacher, and is pregnant and will name her child Mariam if she is a girl. This ending is satisfying,and i felt content with it as I finished the novel. However, after I reflected on the novel as a whole, I felt disappointed as I realized how backwards and horrible this part of the world is, and how the situations that occur in the novel are commonplace in countries still under shariah law.
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Jessica Wylie
2/19/2016 03:56:16 pm
The end of A Thousand Splendid Suns made me happy but also very angry. I was happy that Laila ended up with Tariq, back in Kabul and pregnant with another baby. It was great that she got her “happy ending”, or at least as happy as it could possibly be in her situation. However, Mariam ending up dying made me angry. It seems very unfair that after all the sacrifices she made in her life and all the abuse that she went through that she had to face the punishment. After years of constantly living in fear of Rasheed, in the end he, in a way, still managed to ruin everything.
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Olivia Hansen
2/21/2016 07:37:13 am
Despite all the constant surprises that this book threw my way, I can say I was content with the ending. I never expected Miriam to feel such a love for Laila and take care of her and her kids to the extent that she did. I never thought Miriam would have the courage and strength to finally end Rasheed's life, but after she did I was melancholy with how she gracefully excepted her consequence. I was infinitely impressed with how the author had the readers in such a mindset at the end that we all just KNEW she would name her child, be it a girl, Miriam, which was powerful. I don't think I would have changed much, I love how Laila was with her love again (and I was very thankful Tariq didn't die, because the second I read headaches I though brain tumors) and that she made such an impact on the orphanage. I wish Miriam could have spent the right of her life in jail, being visited by the "children" but overall it was fitting to the culture of Afghan to have her publicly executed. Overall I thought this was a wonderful book, sad, but wonderful. Miriam finally found children to watch over, and Laila found a motherly figure who looked after her and stood up for her.
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Hannah Stecklein
2/21/2016 10:43:52 am
Overall I really like a Thousand Splendid Suns. It REALLY frustrated me at different points I guess it had a happy ending, but I was still kind of sad about some things. It threw in some great surprises (good and bad). I was super happy when it turned out Tariq wasn't dead. I was not expecting that. I was not okay with Miriam being killed at the end. I let myself believe for a short time that they would let her out of jail and it would all be happily ever after, but no. I had lots of emotions over Jaili's final letter and things that Miriam never got to see. It was nice though that Tariq and Laila got a happy ending.
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Katie Wurm
2/21/2016 01:15:12 pm
Reading this the second time around, I thought it wouldn't be as emotional because there wouldn't be as many surprises, but I was wrong. With every horrible situation Miriam was put in, I still felt awful for her. I was still flooded with excitement over Laila and Tariq's happy ending, but I hate how Miriam's story ended. Even though Rasheed was not a good guy, I still felt for him that he was killed, but, at the same time, I was happy that Miriam stood up for herself. I wouldn't change anything about the ending, because I believe it does what the author wanted; it fills us with emotion and gives us closure.
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Leigh Hughes
2/21/2016 01:57:57 pm
The ending of A Thousand Splendid Suns was bittersweet. I love that Laila found a happier ending with Tariq and her children. Mariam’s death was really hard for me to get through because she had had such a hard life and when she finally stood up for herself and the ones she loved, she paid the ultimate price. I hate to say that I was happy when Rasheed was killed, but I was definitely relieved. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had such a significant and lasting impact on me. It really made me think and appreciate what freedoms and privileges I have and, often, take for granted here.
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Molly Black
2/21/2016 02:35:38 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I finished it a few weeks ago and it was hard not to give away spoilers because I just wanted to talk to someone about it! I really thought the ending was well written and had the perfect balance of sorrow and happiness. I was sort of hoping Tariq wasn't dead all along and I got really excited when he came back, and I'm glad that he and Laila get the happy ending they deserve. I also think that by naming their child Mariam, Mariam's spirit can kind of live on. The ending of the Kite Runner kind of left me feeling like the story was somewhat unfinished, but this book had the perfect and kind of simple ending to a really complex book. Jalil's letter kind of tugged at my heart a little and I can't help but wonder what would have happened had she read the letter when he was still alive.
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Shanyn Boese
2/21/2016 02:58:17 pm
I'm glad we read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I both liked and disliked the book. To be honest, I'm glad Rasheed died. I didn't like him in the least bit. He was horrid to Mariam and deserved what he got. I liked Mariam; I'm glad she ended up standing up for herself, even though it cost her her life. I liked Laila and, even though she isn't as "brave" as Mariam, she is strong-willed, independent, and became more confident throughout the novel. I'm glad Tariq came back and they ended up together again; at least she has a lover and friend. Overall, I learned not to take anything for granted, even the small things. I love our freedoms here and will not take them for granted. I also learned to value friendships and love.
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Monet Kunde
2/21/2016 07:17:01 pm
The ending was kind of bittersweet. Laila had her happy ending but was still haunted by the memories of Rasheed and the guilt of Mariam. I definitely am happy with Rasheed's ending. He deserved what was coming for him. I hated him with a passion. I know that's mean to say but he was an evil man. I was so happy that Tariq came back into Laila's life. I don't like to bring in destiny, but they were destined for each other. Mariam's end was really sad but I feel like there was a fulfillment for her. She finally found someone to die for, and yes it's sad that she actually had to die, but she had been missing that all her life and it is amazing that she finally found it. The story line was very good. It kind of makes you realize that we should all live life to the fullest because at any moment something could go wrong. When it does, we just need to persevere because it may turn out alright in the end.
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Klayton Goering
2/21/2016 08:53:47 pm
I felt satisfied with the ending, in that Laila and Tariq, who is not dead after all, got their "happy ending" with a baby on the way, and the fact that she plans on naming it Mariam adds a comforting feel-good factor to it. But in the back of my mind, I was very dissatisfied with Mariam's death, and the situation that the people in general are in, in that specific region of the world. After everything that Mariam had struggled through, she ends up dead. I like to think that she did not die in vain.
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Tate Johnson
2/21/2016 08:58:23 pm
A Thousand Splendid Suns was a great enlightening and broadening book. It was definitely one of the higher intelligent books I’ve read, but also very riveting. The character development is was really stood out to me. Every character was developed through not dismissing any details, giving the reader a fuller experience. The book really expands your thoughts and views on different cultures and political morals. At the same time, you become more grateful for what we have and what is made available (ex. school, freedom of speech and expression). It’s helpful to the understanding of the history and current events of the Middle East. The book is not only a story, but a way of life for many.
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Kaitlyn van Asselt
2/21/2016 09:46:26 pm
A Thousand Splendid Suns kind of threw me for a loop. It pretty much messed with my emotions the entire way through. I was for the most pleased with the ending where Laila finally found happiness with Tariq and her children. However, I was very disappointed with the fact that Mariam was killed for finally standing up for herself and those she loved. However, I guess I should have expected it after seeing how unlucky she was in just about everything. I really like at the end how the author has impacted the readers enough that even though he never explicitly states what the name of the child would be we all know and find a level of comfort in it. I think overall it was a very well written and thought provoking book, however, I doubt I will ever read it again for pleasure purposes.
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Isaac Rush
2/21/2016 10:10:21 pm
The amount of turns this book takes is unsettling. First, Mariam has to live through the abandonment of her father and the death of her mother. Then she has to live through the abuse from ger husband, who she did not want to marry, and the fact that she can not have any children. But then Laila comes in, and she becomes Rasheed's second wife because she is carrying the unborn child of someone she believes dead, Tariq. She is able to give birth to Zalmai, which Rasheed is okay with, but he does not really care for Aziza or Mariam. Then Tariq comes back, alive! Rasheed beats Laila. Mariam kills Rasheed. Tariq and Laila marry. Years pass. Then Laila becomes pregnant and decides to name the baby Mariam if its a girl. Its a pretty good story. The ending is quite satisfying. Its just that it becomes hard to keep track of and follow sometimes. And there are so many different mood changes and plot turning points. But still pretty good. Its actually one of those books that I will finish reading, close the cover slowly, and stare into the distance, pondering life.
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