Customer Reviews
A moving and thought provoking read - By: K. Price, 18 Nov 2008 
This book tells the story of two very different Afghani women, Mariam & Laila, who both struggle with life under the Taliban.
I didn't expect this book to be so gripping or so easy to read.
It offers a wonderful insight into the lives of two women who are not so different from us & yet have little of the freedom we take for granted.
Fantastic - By: M. Mitchell, 18 Nov 2008 If you enjoyed the kite runner, or indeed are interestedin the background of Afghanistan, this book will astound you. The theme's dealt with though as universal, & i feel anyone can relate to the characters. Hosseini truelly has become one of my favourite writers due to this book; it is absolutley amazing.
Good story, realistic and well told - By: John M, 18 Nov 2008 This book offers an interesting insight into Afghanistan & its society form the 1970's to date. This is basically the story of two women who are successively repressed throughout their lives by a male-dominated society, torn by successive wars. It gives some insight as to how political upheaval resultedin the Russian invasion, the wars with the mujahideen, the degeneration into faction fighting under the tribal warlords, & the religious repression of the Taliban. Nobody comes out of it very well! It is a well written book full of tension. One cannot help but be sympathetic to the tragic heroines. The story is credible, but really quite depressing throughout. An excellent book, & as the blurb promises, a better follow up to the Kite Runner. Highly recommended.
Moving and shocking - couldn't put this down - By: Hugh, 13 Nov 2008 What a powerful book. I loved The Kite Runner & bought this as a result. I think this story is even more powerful, & it's one of those gripping books that are hard to put down. Reading this has made what's happeningin Afghanistan today really shocking to me. The story includes some very vivid accounts of life there over the last few decades. It also gives you a new perspective on asylum seekers. Should be required reading.
Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster!! - By: C. Elizabeth Read, 13 Nov 2008 Mariam & Laila's story took me on an emotional roller coaster.
I hated Rasheed, since I had known a man like that. I loved Tariq for his quiet strength. I wanted to scoop up Aziza & give her toys & show her what a child's life should be like. But, Mariam & Laila became my sisters & I found myself shouting at the pages sometimesin the hope that they would find the strength to fight back. When Mariam did find the strength, my joy turned rapidly to devastation when for "One last time, she did as she was told".
For two characters to be so believable I would have expected that only a woman would know how to portray them. I had to keep reminding myself that Khaled Hosseini is a man.
