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!!!!
16 Comments
Emperor Ediger
2/6/2015 03:03:17 am
My final reaction to A Thousand Splendid Suns is that I was very pleased with the book. This book made me feel all of the emotions, and made me punch a wall to feel manly again. When Tariq came back I had to put the book down and take a minute. The same for when Laila opened the box meant for Mariam and found the Pinocchio tape. I wouldn't have changed a thing, it was perfect the way it was written. This was an altogether sad book. 10/10 would cry again.
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Corben Davis
2/6/2015 03:05:55 am
I was so happy when Mariam nutted up and killed Rasheed. I waited the entire book for that guy to get blown up by a bomb or something. I was disappointed when Mariam turned herself in and got killed, that is one thing that I would have changed. She could have ran off with Laila and her family. I also figured Laila would be the one to take the blame for it and have Mariam raise her kids. What really shocked me is when Rasheed tried to kill them. Yeah, I know he's a horrible man, but I didn't think he actually had it in him.
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Dakota Cavanaugh
2/6/2015 03:07:25 am
My overall reaction to "A Thousand Splendid Suns" was... wow. I can't even begin to describe how this book made me feel. The overall plot line of the story was extremely interesting; however, the content thereof was quite depressing. Personally, I wouldn't change anything about the book because the author did a phenomenal job at writing this book. I had a very strong love-hate relationship with this book because it was so saddening, but I couldn't put it down! As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience the pain and happiness that is "A Thousand Splendid Suns."
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Mallory Harger
2/6/2015 03:09:35 am
My final reaction and my initial reaction to A Thousand Splendid Suns are very different. I have always loved the book and often times, I couldn’t put it down. But, towards the end, I got a little antsy. The third part was especially hard for me to read. Frankly, I wanted Rasheed to die. I hated that every page was a new way to torture Laila and Mariam. The final straw for me was when he sent Aziza away. Page 327 changed the book entirely. TARIQ IS HOME!!!!!!! I was at my sister’s basketball game and it was halftime so I started reading. After reading this page, I kid you not, I gasped so loudly that my mom jumped out of her seat expecting something was wrong. My final thoughts are this: I’m glad Mariam killed Rasheed because I fully believe he would have killed Laila. I’m upset Mariam took the blame because I fell in love with her from the beginning and how can you kill off the main character? I’m confused on how Laila wasn’t questioned at all. The laws against women are so strict, but they never gave a second thought as to how the other wife got away? Zalmai taking a liking to Tariq is probably my favorite part. I didn’t like the fact that Zalmai liked Rasheed so much, so him liking Tariq made life a lot better. I’m glad there is no epilogue because I don’t want to know how it goes on. I like the cliff hanger.
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Josie
2/6/2015 03:10:34 am
I have 100% been recommending this book to people. Everyone needs to read it. It give such an interesting look into a world we have grown up hearing about but never fully learning about. Now that is the extent of my comment that will not be complete word vomit. I honestly can't put into words everything that this book did to me. Like seriously all the feels. And that is just the story line. The writing was amazing. So descriptive without being wordy and long. I didn't want it to end. I loved and hated the characters. I just felt like I was there. It was also really awesome how into it everyone got. Normally with books read in school no one likes them because they feel forced but this one was so enjoyable. I don't even know what to say about this freaking book. There was just so much going on and so many twists and turns. It made me want to just cry and eat ice cream. I honestly don't know what to say about this book. There is WAY to much to put into words. I am just super glad I own it.
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Stephanie Farney
2/6/2015 03:10:59 am
I absolutely loved the book, but hated it at the same time. I appreciated that there was actually some resolution of conflict in the end, considering the fact that the entire book is riddled with conflict. I was happy that Laila actually fulfilled her purpose, which was to make a difference in the lives of others. However, I was under the impression the entire time that she would end up doing something much bigger than helping the orphanage. That's okay though. I do wish that Mariam would have somehow lived after she killed Rasheed, but that would have completely changed the story. Although it was a terrible way for her to die, I appreciated the selflessness of her actions. That not only revealed Mariam's character, but it also showed how her relationship with Laila had progressed since the beginning of part three. I loved the sentimentality of part four, and overall, I thought that it was a great way to end a great book.
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Nate Crain
2/6/2015 03:11:39 am
You have opened the flood gates of my feels because this book made me feel all the feels. Honestly, it was like Hosseini had this line going directly to my heart and was just playing with it for more than 400 pages. I really don't know if I loved the book or despise everything it stands for. Every time I think about the book, I'm conflicted. I loved the ending, but come on, after the whole book we needed some hope. I also feel like I can't rant because you've heard it all before. Oh, and I'm very bitter that I couldn't be here for the circle discussion and cupcakes and everything. Not cool.
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Madison Hoffman
2/6/2015 03:12:00 am
I really enjoyed reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I like the time period and how it started out in the 1950's and continued til the early 2000's. There were a lot of different emotions I felt while reading the book. In the beginning, I was just kind of irritated with Mariam because she never fought back but then I started to feel really sorry for her. In Parts 3 and 4 I was pretty angry the whole time because of the way Rasheed treated Mariam and Laila. I didn't really think there would be a semi-happy ending until Tariq came back. This book probably wouldn't have had the same impact that it did if Mariam had been allowed to live at the end or if she had escaped with Laila, Tariq, and the children. I don't think I really would've changed anything except for maybe ending the book quicker because it seemed to drag on towards the end.
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Laura Peck
2/6/2015 03:13:14 am
A Thousand Splendid Suns made me feel every emotion I have ever known, and feel it to the highest degree possible. I was frustrated with the treatment of the characters (specifically the women) and pleased when they were treated kindly by other men (Laila's father). In turn, I was obviously devastated that every character who seems to show an ounce of appreciation for the women is killed off or turns into a scumbag. I believed, to every ounce, that Tariq was dead. It was the most delighting thing ever to discover his life had not ended. While it is super saddening that Mariam died, I believe that it was probably for the best of everyone, and her life was certainly not wasted. I wouldn't change anything about the entire book. It was equal parts horror and pleasure. Nothing that was pleasing would have happened if the terror and pain hadn't occurred. The ending was perhaps the happiest thing in all of the book. A picturesque, happy life. So precious. So adorable. So much happy.
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Megan Avila
2/6/2015 03:14:38 am
I absolutely was impacted by this book. Not only did it play with my emotions by highlighting "daddy issues" and scandalous romance and true acts of love, it also made me realize how much I take for granted. As an American woman, I am blessed. I have the right to decide who I marry, at what age I am ready for marriage and children, and I have the right to an education at every stage in my life. The pure heartbreak I felt when Jalil gave Miriam up to Rasheed, so close to her mother's death (a tragedy all on its own) was so real. Then, with Laila, her entire life was I overshadowed by her brothers. Brothers that she never even truly knew. And then, after the crap carnival of Miriam's life, she still has enough compassion that she gives up her own freedom, just so Laila isn't torn away from her Children. This book is so raw and frankly, I don't know if any portion was sugar coated. This book was so good, I crammed all of my reading into a 3 day period. The lodt hours of sleep were all so worth it.
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Sierra Gant
2/6/2015 03:26:13 am
My final reaction is that A Thousand Splendid Suns has one of those rare good endings. When I finish some books, the end is like WHAT?! Overall, this one had a very peaceful and concluding ending. I mean of course, like all of us, I was pissed that Mariam was killed. But it was for the good of someone else, she finally felt like she fulfilled her life purpose in a way. It'd be a happier ending with her living happily ever after with the family. But then the book wouldn't have the same appeal to us! All the feelings are wow! I finished the book in AP Gov. and was trying so hard to hold back tears! The fact that Tariq is alive kinda threw me for a loop. When he "died", I'm like no way I don't believe it. But as the book progressed without him, I started to accept it like Laila did. When he came back, I had to reread the passage a few times to make sure I wasn't imagining it! I wouldn't change any of it though because all the twists and turns are what made it amazing. Oh and I was pretty pleased Rasheed was killed. Mariam, you go girl.
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Riley Burghart
2/6/2015 03:28:07 am
I usually do not get into books of this sort, but for some reason or another, I really latched onto this book. I haven't figured out why that is yet, to be completely honest. Maybe it was the culture shock, or maybe just the structure of the book. It was a book filled with twists and turns. One thing I liked about the book was how it stood out at points of climax. Most of the time in book, the climax is a huge talking point. But Hosseini took this novel a different route. When things like Nana hanging herself or Laila's family dying happened, the book seemed to bluntly state the occasion and move right along. I couldn't believe how the characters just picked themselves up and moved on with little to no depth of the occasion. On another note, I was happy during this book because of the romances and the strength the women endured, but I was also angry at the stigmas in this book about Afghan culture. Maybe I wasn't so much mad at the book, but maybe because I don't doubt that this was actually the case in Afghanistan. It's sad to read about a woman's life like that when I look at my own life and see how different and blessed majority of American women are. Times are changing, but something tells me Afghanistan still has issues with gender equality. To see Mariam and Laila suffer was hard. The book ended happily with Laila and Tariq together in their happy little family. I still wish Mariam wouldn't have sacrificed her life, though...
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Riley Bahre
2/6/2015 03:46:16 am
Where to begin with this story: It's certainly an interesting look at the time period as well as the associated class/culture and its flaws, but in the interest of fairness I have to say the edge this story has is a bit... dull for me. Allow me to explain; yes, "A Thousand Splendid Suns" has gratuitous themes of war, poverty, and domestic violence, but these themes in themselves are a bit tired and, with such a dull blade, the author seems to understand that any lasting effects would take a Lot of force. Unfortunately, this aspect of the story hardly provided a scratch. Additionally, the fact the story takes place in an area with such paper-skin doesn't help. On the other hand, the joyous and lighthearted aspects of the story were quite enjoyable; like laila's relationship with tariq and Mariam's introduction to the modern world (as well as her unique tie to Pinocchio). As well as this, the book definitely radiates with personality and emotion, giving the edge a bit more of a "point" when it actually needs to prod a bit of sadness and despair. And... I will admit I felt a mix of rage and satisfaction with Rasheed's violent end. Though the ultimate impression doesn't have much staying power for me, it's a great story with lovable characters and more than a few good moments. If I were to set a review: I'd give it an 8/10, good while it lasts, just not something I'd read more than once.
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Alexis Young
2/7/2015 01:06:10 pm
Holy moly. Where do I begin??? Well, first off, I started reading it pretty well; kept on top of things and all that. Then I kinda slacked off and lots of things were spoiled for me, and that was totally my fault - but reading them still surprised me! When Aziza was born and I knew it wasn't Rasheed's baby I wanted to cry, because I thought Tariq was gone and Laila was stuck there. When Mariam started off hating Laila for "stealing her husband" just made me upset, because Laila was so innocent and her life was so good and pure it just killed me to see everything be flipped upside down. The numerous times they both got beaten, being introduced to Zalmai, finding out Tariq was alive - this book shattered me, and then found a way to put me back together numerous times. I teared up a LOT. This book is definitely the best book I've ever read in any English class, by far. My final reaction to this book is just.. /wow./ Knowing Mariam sacrificed herself for Laila and her children was extraordinary. Laila and Tariq married, and lived together - and that just made my heart burst with excitement. I definitely told a lot of people to read this book. It's so touching, and you'll hate it, but end up wanting to read on because you'll eventually love it again.
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Amanda Wilde
2/8/2015 10:41:18 am
A Thousand Splendid Suns was one of the greatest books I have ever read. I feel like such a nerd but omg. This book made me feel emotions I didn't even know I had. This was one of those books that you couldn't set out how many pages you wanted to read a day. I had to read this book nonstop throughout many late late LATE nights. Although there were many frustrating parts in the book (Rasheed's beatings, Mariam's moms death, Mariam's death, the ongoing war, etc....) there were also many heartwarming events as well. The one thing that really made me mad was when Mariam had to die. I don't understand why she had to turn herself in. The two women could have easily kept the murder a secret. But this book changed my life and I think it is a great novel! I RECOMMEND.
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Hannah Marshall
2/8/2015 09:45:15 pm
It was amazing! The way the author was able to give both perspectives later on in the book made a big difference. Sometimes you don't always see how one character is feeling but we definitely saw emotions on both sides. This book was awesome and I loved all the emotions it made me feel. Except when I was sad, then I got mad and then it just didn't turn out good. But I loved the end especially the epilogue when the baby is Mariam and has green eyes and is perfect.
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