A Thousand Splendid Suns

In my new profile of having two full-time jobs (the regular work, and you guessed it, a growing-up kid), one of the things I miss is the leisure of curling up with a book, with no worry of mundane chores, and more important, no interruptions. In this while, I have barely been able to read. Three books in three years - sort of a record for me - a record low, that is :-). And whatever reading I managed was rather hurried, and a while ago. In no way sufficient to write a review, as I had been doing earlier for the books I was reading. Still, I'll try to capture whatever I can recollect of my impressions (for that is what my "reviews" typically are, I do not consciously try to outline the story).

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseni

'The Kite Runner' had set quite high expectations for this one, and the editorial reviews/comments escalated them further. I was really looking forward to read this one, but by the time I got the book, I had a newborn to look after. To be honest, I almost rushed through it, omitting some parts here and there, that were not kind of contributing to the story, but to the picture. I might have had a different impression, if I had a chance to read it at more leisure, but I don't think I'll pick it up again to see if I missed things the first time around. Though I'm glad that I did manage to get through it.

I must say that it did not disappoint. It is a gripping and touching story, capturing the plight of women in Afghanistan quite well - their sheer helplessness in the face of constant contempt and abuse they are subjected to by men. Gender equality? I think they would be grateful if they are allowed to spend their lives, however constrained, with dignity. It reinforces how grief is a unifying factor like nothing else, and how hope can emerge, sustain, and win, even in the face of absolute dejection. It was highly engrossing - the reason I rushed through it, to at least read the story even if I could not manage to enjoy the book.

However, it did not quite live up the expectations. It seems to lack some of the distinguishing qualities of The Kite Runner - despite the constant feeling of sadness, Kite Runner didn't leave one gloomy. Kite Runner also presented a different kind of background - a land and culture which people in general are not very familiar with. Thousand Splendid Suns did not create that kind of interest, because of the more general theme. Also, I felt that at times, it was deliberately and dramatically stretched to paint a picture of misery so complete, that it was kind of trite. Perhaps this comes from reading more than a few stories by Indian authors, centered around the grief and pain of women that they suffer all alone.

Though I wonder if this is generally true for subsequent works of an author whose first work (or may be the first work one reads) creates a big impact with a radically new context and strong story? I remember this happened to me with Dan Brown - I simply loved Da Vinci Code, but didnt particularly like Angels and Demons. Some of my friends read Angels and Demons first, and admired it, but did not appreciate Da Vinci Code as much.

Soon to follow:

The Collector's Wife - Mitra Phukan

Mistress - Anita Nair