'One could not count the moons ...'

...that shimmer on her roofs, or a thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls“. - Tebrizi
As mentioned in my earlier post (and therefore you were forewarned!) I have here a book review - as promised. On saturday I began and finished reading 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini. From the, now acclaimed, author of ' The Kite Runner', this book traces the life and times of two Afghan women. This book is a woman's book. It captures the essence of being a woman more so in a political atmosphere where being female was nothing short of a curse.
Hosseini demonstrates a unique and tremendous understanding of the female psyche. It seems like a woman's story from a woman's perspective. The insight provided is brilliant!
'...Splendid Suns' is in a very different vein to 'The Kite Runner'. While the latter might be characterised as gripping the former is riveting. Both books, to me, were equally haunting.
Several books have been written about the plight of women in Islamic, war-stricken countries but none so written in so beautiful and poetic a manner. It is gruesome without being gory and terrifying without being graphic.
This book is almost a painting. It has hues and texture is as much as it has words and a story. Buy this book, read it and cherish it as a memoir, an ode and a tribute to all those women.