Malik Higgins

Mrs Rowe
English 12A
4/8/15
The book A Thousand Splendid Suns is interesting to say the least. The main character
at the beginning of the story Mariam loses her mom to suicide and is considered a bastard child
by her royal father. Forced to marry someone she doesnt even know, Mariam doesnt really
know comfort or love from a man. After marriage with Rasheed, Mariam gets pregnant with
Rasheeds baby. She has a miscarriage and loses her child. Finding out she cant have kids she
has to make room for Rasheeds new wife Laila a young girl. Laila who has fallen in love with
another guy gets pregnant and is forced to mary rasheed as a cover up for the baby, After living
a horrible life, laila finally has a boy that Rasheed can treasure. Her and Mariam finally become
friends and one night in order to protect them Mariam kills Rasheed. after this lalia runs off with
tarik who is still alive and Mariam turns herself in and is executed.
I would read this book if you have a strong opinion on the middle east. It will definitely change
your outlook on life and make you think differently.
When comparing Mariam and Laila, theyre a lot alike. Laila comes from a city that is bad and
filled with war. Mariam was isolated as a child so they both have that feeling of loneliness.
Throughout the novel they both change and learn to be more assertive and stand up for
themselves and each other.
The novel made me feel like I was first hand in afghanistan. The novel itself even though it
bounces around gives a pretty accurate description of how life is there and how hard it is. I
definitely have a different look on the middle eastern life now.