Respect In A Thousand Splendid Suns

The term “respect” is completely redefined in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This is a heart wrenching tale of two courageous Afghan women, both entering adulthood already accustomed to the neglect and degrading treatment practiced in their society. The two share an immensely difficult relationship with an older man, and receive scar after wretched scar, all piling on to one long and agonizing life. The older woman, Mariam, is who we meet first in the book. Readers accompany her through her pitiable childhood and witness every last instance of isolation she endures. Young Mariam is a compassionate girl that tries to see the good in everything, but her innocent spirit is quickly dismissed as her parents reveal their true colors.