Monday, January 14, 2008

A Thousand Splendid Suns



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.

Labels:

4 Comments:

Blogger Jennie C. said...

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.

5:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I liked The Kite Runner as well. I can't seem to get this one to the top of my TBR pile.

12:26 AM  
Blogger Framed said...

I 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.

11:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I 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.

6:37 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home