A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Novel

By: Khaled Hosseini

Narrated by: Atossa Leoni

AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS ON THE BESTSELLER LISTS, KHALED HOSSEINI RETURNS WITH A BEAUTIFUL, RIVETING, AND HAUNTING NOVEL OF ENORMOUS CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years -- from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding -- that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives -- the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness -- are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love -- a stunning accomplishment.©2007 TKR Publications, LLC. All rights reserved; (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

will always be my favorite book

so amazing. the story was told perfectly. not overdone but nor incredibly monotone. I finished this in a day. I've already read this book but I loved listening to it. amazing, insightful, eye opening and heartbreaking. please read!

One of My Favorite

This story is heart-wrenching but also strangely up-lifting. That people living in such cruel circumstances can find strength, love, joy and forgiveness within themselves is a lesson to all of us. I know this story is fictional but I find myself worrying about the future for the characters, given current developments in Afghanistan. Beautifully written and engagingly narrated. One of my all-time favorite Audible books.

A great story, but check version you get

What made the experience of listening to A Thousand Splendid Suns the most enjoyable?

The story itself, the language that is beautiful but straightforward enough for listening even for only occasional listeners like myself

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Thousand Splendid Suns?

So many dramatic moments right from the beginning. Without giving away later parts, surely Mariam's relationship with her father is pretty heart-wrenching.

What about Atossa Leoni’s performance did you like?

Clear, easy to listen to, pleasant voice fitting the story.

Who was the most memorable character of A Thousand Splendid Suns and why?

Mariam, I guess obviously, but other characters too. Unfortunately her husband seemed realistic. (In the news right now, marriage of an 8-year-old to 40-year-old in Yemen and reportedly the girl dies from bleeding...still being checked by authorities.)

Any additional comments?

Be sure to get the version you want, abridged or unabridged. I thought I had bought the unabridged version and only learned at the end that it was the abridged. My fault, and Audible handled it well, but now that I've already listened to the abridged, not sure I'll go back to listen again. (I had already read the whole book a few years ago.)

Excellent narration

I was hooked from the first chapter! The narration is beautifully done. The story in intense and eye opening.

Beautifully written, but flat narrating

The author has the wonderful ability to say just enough about some things that you know what is implied, and at the same time describe certain things with delicate detail.
Also, the mentions of Afghani culture, language, foods, and customs is so beautifully interwoven into the story line. His descriptions of the joys, the hardships, the positives, and the negatives are captivating.
My only negative criticism of the audio book is the narrator, who I don't think did any of the characters justice. The book has many emotionally charged moments that were all read with the same flat tone.