Mariam and Laila come from drastically different backgrounds. On the surface, they appear to have nothing in common except that they are both women from Afghanistan. Somehow, though, this alone is enough to bind them together as soul mates.

This is the story of A Thousand Splendid Suns, a novel by Khaled Hosseini. With a backdrop of Afghanistan at war, Mr. Hosseini tells his readers a bittersweet story of love, pain, devotion, and survival. Mariam and Laila struggle through life, facing religious, political, social, and domestic persecution. They are able to endure, though, because they find strength in each other. As the plot unfolds, Hosseini raises important points about decency, hope, and human rights.

This book contains the same types of vivid imagery and powerful themes that made Mr. Hosseini’s previous work, The Kite Runner, an enormous success. It was a pleasant surprise, though, to discover that this novel is sufficiently unique to stand on its own merits. For instance, the stories of Mariam and Laila are told separately at first and slowly woven together as the plot progresses. This unique approach creates a great deal of interest in the reader. Also, the commentary about the position of women in Muslim societies is quite compelling.

If you enjoyed The Kite Runner, then A Thousand Splendid Suns should be placed at the top of your “Must Read” list.