BYCOLM BRADLEY
A book charting the lives of two Afghan women may not immediately appeal to the majority of readers.
Indeed, if we are honest a western view of Islam and the countries where it blossoms can often times be of the one dimensional nature. Fortunately, however, books such as 'A Thousand Splendid Suns,' do an excellent job in educating us to the tapestry of life that exists in cultures which we know little about.
This is Khalid Hosseini's second novel and a follow up to the hugely successful, 'Kite Runner,' which focused on the lives of two Afghan men. This time the changing face of Afghanistan is the backdrop for a narrative which plainly and bluntly tells the story of two women's lives stretched over a thirty five year period.
Hosseini, an Afghan native himself who left the country in 1980 to live in the USA, has a straightforward style of writing. The reader is spared none of the brutality as uncomfortable scenes of violence and psychological abuse take their place seamlessly beside scenes of uplifting joy and hope.
The story begins with the childhood of the books first heroine, Mariam, who as a five year old girl struggles to understand and accept her illegitimacy. Her father is a rich successful business man but Mariam knows nothing of her brothers and sisters.
She is a harami, a bastard, sired out of wedlock. Jalil, her father has three wives and numerous children but a lustful few moments with a kitchen maid produces another daughter, Mariam. Cast out to a remote shack on the outskirts of town Mariam and her mother survive, but the five year old girl who knows little of the outside world lives for the weekly visits of her father and the caring Mullah Faizullah who teaches her the Koran.
At 14 Mariam's world is turned upside down when, after a stinging betrayal by her father, she finds herself married and living in Kabul. Her husband, Rasheed, is a shoe maker and a much older man. For a time it seems that Mariam will find happiness in her subservient role but as the story continues Rasheed's brutality and true nature becomes apparent.
Lalia, the books second heroine grows up a few doors apart from Mariam and Rasheed and experiences a much different childhood. Her parents have an equal marriage in every way with Hakim, her father being the polar opposite of the barbaric and remorseless Rasheed.
Hakim, is tender and loving and treats all he meets, men, women and children with the respect that they deserve.
Lalia lives a life fuelled by inquisitiveness, surrounded by books and nourished by learning.
However, her perfect existence does not last long and a series of tragic events lead her to Mariam and Rasheed's door.
As has been said Hosseini hides nothing from the reader and as such there are parts of the book which will cause discomfort. But that is good.
That, I would venture, is what Hosseini hopes for. He shines a light into the darkest corners of Afghan life and exposes the opportunity Sharia law can provide to men.
To men whom see women as their property to do with as they wish. But the author hopes for something more. He wants the reader to understand that there is more than just this stereotypical view.
That love, forgiveness and respect can exist side by with brutal oppression.
The struggle and journey that the two women take is symbolic, I feel, of the struggle and journey of their beloved Afghanistan.
A part of the world which has seen much blood spilled on its soil Afghanistan has often been a pawn in world affairs. Right back to the Anglo-Afghan wars of the 19th and early 20th century, where Britain attempted a conquest, through to the Cold War where the American backed Mujahideen drove out Russian troops, Afganhistan has been a land torn apart by war.
The Taliban and their oppressive regime afford Rasheed even more freedom to treat his wives as he wishes. The women are like caged slaves in their own home.
Existing, in Rasheed's eyes, only to follow his instruction. But the human spirit cannot be dampened. An within their cage they form a bond of love and trust which proves impossible to break.
Because, in essence this book is about the indomitability of the human sprit. Mariam is in search of love and a sense of meaning while Lalia is trying frantically to cling to some semblance of hope.
Through each other they find what they are looking for and through a final act of sacrifice Mariam finds the legitimacy she has been craving her entire life.
'A Thousand Splendid Suns,' is a powerful provocative read. Tragedy that has been exacerbated by continuous fighting and war is found in every page.
It is both brutal and real but that is not what the reader will take away with from this book. No.
Hope and love are what emerge unscathed when the last page is turned.
