I've read several reviews of Khaled Hosseini's book, A Thousand Splendid Suns at Semicolon and thought perhaps it should go on my list to read. Then Miss Betty offered to loan me her copy. I asked her if it was a good book, and she answered, "Not particularly, but you ought to read it anyway."
Not getting a warm, enthusiastic recommendation to read it, I wasn't setting aside time to really get into it. Last week I read about the first third of the book, and thought it was okay. Not riveting, but okay. Then last night before bed I picked it up and read until the last few pages. The story got better (not better as in "happy," but better as in "interesting"), and I didn't think I could bear to go to sleep without finishing it. But Steve had to go to sleep before I finished it, so I shut the book, turned off the light, and lay awake until 2:00 a.m. digesting what I'd read.
This afternoon I read the final few pages, and decided I liked it. Yes, it was pretty depressing, but the ending was hopeful. I would imagine that if I lived in Afghanistan during the time depicted in the book I would have to live in hope that the future would be better - otherwise it would be difficult to live each day as it came.
I got a lot out of The Kite Runner, also not a particularly upbeat book, and I've been wanting to read this one, too.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Kite Runner as well. I can't seem to get this one to the top of my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Kite Runner yet. I was a little disappointed in "Suns" and can't make myself get to "Kite Runner" although I've heard that it is the better book.
ReplyDeleteI highly enjoyed this book (well, as highly as something that you can read that is so depressing). It made me appreciate all that I had. I am looking forward to reading The Kite Runner although I don't think it could get better than this one.
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