Southwest Book Club Online Discussion - A Thousand Splendid Suns (Hosseini)
The Southwest Book Club will be meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. to discuss the book, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner. Two women born a generation apart witness the destruction of their home and family in war-torn Kabul. Hosseini's second novel weaves thrity years of turbulent Afghan history through a powerful story of family, friendship and, ultimately, hope.
If you are unable to attend the meeting or you would like to join our discussion, questions related to the book will be posted to our blog prior to the meeting date each month. Simply click "Comments" located at the bottom of this post. Share your thoughts and comments, then click "post". Comment on one question or all of them. Join the discussion!
Discussion Questions: A Thousand Splendid Suns
2. Mariam's mother tells her "Women like us. We endure. It's all we have." Discuss how this sentiment informs Mariam's life and how it relates to the larger themes of the novel.
3. Growing up Laila feels that her mother's love is reserved for her two brothers. How does this sentiment inform her reaction to becoming pregnant with Rasheed's child? What lessons from her childhood does Laila apply in raising her own children?
4. And in this fleeting, wordless exchange with Mariam, Laila know that they were not enemies any longer (p. 224). How is the deep bond between Mariam and Laila forged? How does this bond sustain both of them?
5. One of the Taliban judges at Mariam's trial tell her, "God has made us different, you women and us men. Our brains are different. You are not able to think like we can. Western doctors and their science have proven this." What is the irony in this statement? How is irony employed throughout the novel?
6. How does Miriam and Laila's story metaphorically reflect the larger story of Afganistan's troubled history?
7. How would you describe Hosseini's writing style? Were there particular passages that impressed you, and, if so, what were they and why?
(Questions were either obtained or adapted from reading guides found at http://www.bloomsbury.com and http://www.readinggroupguides.com