Khaled Hosseini, the author of The Kite Runner published another bestselling novel, A thousand Splendid Suns. As Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, his novel is inspired by the lives of Afghan. His story vividly pictures the conflicts and historical tragedy happened under the oppression of the country’s instability during Soviet invasion and return of Taliban. Now he is working as a U.S. envoy for the UN refugee agency to provide stable environment to refugees feeling displaced around the world. I believe that he attempted to spoke for powerless Afghans, especially for women, vulnerably facing their tragic faith through his story. Hosseini revealed mistreatment of women by drawing readers into his tunnel of story colorfully painted with the reality in Afghanistan where refugee crisis is severe. Fictional stories of two Afghanistan women, Mariam and Laila, allowed readers to understand the cause that restricted women from living their lives they deserve as human. Since the novel connects readers to the story with a strong visuals and emotions, I could indirectly experience oppression on Afghanistan women.
As Hosseini stated that “This book is dedicated to Haria and Farah, both the noor of my eyes, and to the women of Afghanistan’, I could assume this book is somewhat biased. The narrator delivered deeply moving stories of Mariam and Laila.
‘After her mother’s death, Mariam was forced to marry a forty-five-year-old Pakistan shoemaker Rasheed when she was fifteen. Her marriage with Rasheed stole her dream and freedom. She blamed Jalil, her father, for sending her away from people she loved, and herself for trusting him. Laila, a beautiful girl who wanted to marry with someone she loved became Rasheed’s second wife after her house exploded by bomb with her parents. Mariam and Laila are physically abused by Rasheed, and their rights are taken away by the government’
These two stories written in perspective of two Afghan women create sympathy toward Afghan women in general, and hostility toward men and authoritative government. However, the other side of the story about Jalil and Rasheed was never mentioned.
Although oppression of woman in Korea is not severe compare to struggles women face in Afghanistan, discrimination of woman is still evident. When I was a girl, I was told to sit like a girl, act like a girl, and talk like a girl. I heard about social disadvantages on women and experienced them as I grew older. Reading this novel reminded me stereotypes still existing in Korea’s culture and society. And I truly felt sorrow toward Afghanistan women naturally targeted as victim by Taliban or men who desire to prove their authority.
This book will be also made into a film.
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Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York:Riverhead Books, 2007.
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