https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw en-us 2022-01-19 17:42:56 UTC 2022-02-16 16:50:36 UTC hello@padlet.com everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2007960446 After reading the first few chapters of "A Thousand Splendid Suns," I literally put the book away. I was not intrigued with the initial plot whatsoever. I was nervous that I wasn't going to enjoy this assignment that I knew we would be spending so much time and effort on. However, when I picked the book back up, I immediately fell into it. The fight between Mariam and her mother had me on the edge of my seat, to say the least. I felt so sorry for Mariam as she waited for Jalil to pick her up. My empathy only grew for this poor girl as I kept reading. The end of chapter five left me devastated. No child should ever have to experience the loss of a parent and I can't imagine blaming myself for their loss.

Going off of that topic, this book is already opening my eyes tremendously. The writing is incredible and truly makes an individual feel as if they're experiencing the situation. One specific piece that really made my heart sink was the discussion regarding Mariam's marriage, being Jalil and his wives didn't want her staying with them. "But he can't be more than forty...Forty-five at the most" (Hosseini, page 47). If I were to say this quote made me sick, it'd be an understatement. I cannot fathom being forced to marry a forty year old man at the ripe age of fifteen.

I am eager to find out what happens between Mariam and her new husband, Rasheed. How do planned marriages like this work? How normalized are situations like Mariam's? Is this a piece of culture? Is it wrong???


]]> 2022-01-24 04:29:37 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2007960446 everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2014528341 This group of chapters was really all over the place. I have learned so much through Mariam and her experiences, but it has also pulled at my heart strings. I had an extremely difficult time choosing between writing about history/culture or sharing my emotional reaction. I chose culture, solely because I think there were a lot of clues regarding the 'works' of their beliefs.

I was absolutely baffled when Rasheed came into Mariam's room and proceeded to have sexual interactions with her, even after she stated that she didn't want to. The way Rasheed attempted to justify it just didn't sit right with me. "It's what married people do" (Hosseini, page 77). SO WHAT??? Yes, it's what maybe a typical married couple does, but usually each individual is okay with it and consent is clear. My mind was flowing with anger and questions as it tried to process what I had just read. This can't be a cultural belief. Is this seriously how a 'suitor' treats their underage wife? How is this not against the law? Is it legal because they're married? Or is this legal regardless of marriage?

It also opened my eyes tremendously when Mariam walked the streets and saw many other women around her same age holding the hands of their children. Most of these women take their children to school and return home to clean and cook. It's crazy how differently a norm can be when you take different cultures in belief into place. This novel displays their culture and beliefs everywhere in the text, you just have to pay attention.

Side note...I'm not saying any of this is wrong. Regardless of what I think of it, it's still these peoples lives and many experience these very real situations. It's just sad, to me, that this is how many women live.

Something I need to get off my chest...Rasheed is the type of character that is extremely difficult to like. However, when Mariam found the old photos of his deceased wife and son, it was hard to not feel bad for him. He truly has been through a lot and I felt quite a bit better when him and Mariam started to get along. The pregnancy really did help their relationship for the better. However, SEVEN miscarriages by NINETEEN YEARS OLD? My mind literally doesn't let me believe this. 

Not many of my questions from the first reading were answered, but I'm so EXCITED to start the next group of chapters. It looks like it's going to be good!!!


]]> 2022-01-26 20:56:13 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2014528341 everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2018396871 I LOVED THIS READING. It was so intriguing to see a different perspective of this young-marriage stereotype laid out. This group of chapters was completely focused on Laila and her life, and I'm not even upset about it. The reader has the opportunity to experience a different way of thinking compared to Mariam and Rasheed, not that their (Rasheed's) expectations are wrong, just different.

Its quite a switch going from Rasheed discussing all the negative regarding Babi and Fariba's lives, to actually understanding their beliefs on a more personal level. We, as readers, learn the truth behind Babi's beliefs surrounding women's rights, specifically, a woman's right to education. WHAT A KING. I love this man.

Babi is also extremely dedicated to his marriage. After the death of their two sons, Fariba is literally so depressed that she disregards her role as a wife and mother for the next five years. Its hard to read, but I'm very grateful for Laila and Babi's relationship. It definitely provides a sense of relief. 

AND MY FAVORITE PART OF THE READING - Laila and Tariq's relationship!!!! Throughout the novel, it is implied that each woman is assigned a suitor. However, Laila and Tariq give us a sense of hope, quite possibly false hope, that it doesn't always have to be this way. It is so satisfying to read through the evolution of their relationship from young children to young adults, specifically, the ending chapters. Currently, Laila and Tariq are around sixteen to eighteen years old - which is the typical age of marriage in their cultures - however, I do believe Laila has the willpower to follow through with an education. Laila deserves the absolute BEST. 

If literally anything ruins Laila and Tariq's relationship, the tears will start rolling.]]> 2022-01-28 18:02:10 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2018396871 everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2028168149 I don't think ANYBODY is surprised by the blog topic today. I understand Rasheed's actions are a reflection of his culture and how he was taught, however, it is SO SO SO difficult to respect him. Rasheed tricked Laila the same way he did Mariam. He puts on a show to switch others perceptions of him. Rasheed acts like he agrees with everything his wives do, until they're married.

I also cannot respect the way he treated Mariam. He painted a picture making Mariam seem like a servant? Rasheed basically stated that everything Laila or him ask, Mariam must obey. RIDICULOUS. Mariam has spent the majority of her life obeying to Rasheed, regardless of the way he treats her. Rasheed couldn't do ONE THING to respect her wishes?

Disregarding the blog post - this reading had so much going on. Laila's parents died, she almost DIED, and Tariq is dead? OH. AND SHE'S PREGNANT WITH TARIQ'S BABY??? Although it disobeys their cultural morals, I literally had to be happy for her. (Even though my emotions between Mariam and Laila are conflicting, because I love them both.) I think, in a way, she's sort of genius for deciding to pretend like this baby is Rasheed's, in order to give the last piece of her past life a good, and 'safe,' home. However, this baby is going to hurt Mariam tremendously, which makes me beyond nervous.

I'm a mix of nervous and excited to continue reading. I want Laila to have this last piece of her past life, but I don't want to see Mariam hurt. I WANT RASHEED OUT OF THE PICTURE, but it's whatever I suppose. I created a fantasy that Mariam and Laila would get along and run away together after this old man eventually passes along, but I'm not too sure how it's going to play out.]]> 2022-02-03 18:48:34 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2028168149 everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2051285026 This was definitely the most emotional group of chapters. The last two or three, I read through my tears.

Tariq (ALVE) found Laila. Cried. I was literally shocked when she walked up to him at the doorstep with Mariam. Mariam knew who it was right away, hinting how close her and Laila were. I love Laila and Mariam. However, I was on the verge of throwing up as the situation began to unfold once Rasheed returned home. I feel so bad for Zalmai. He truly didn't mean to get his mom in trouble, he just admires his father, which is obvious. 

When the fighting began, I wasn't surprised that Mariam and Laila both fought back. They were so beyond fed up. I believe they had every right to fight back. I was, however, SHOCKED when Mariam hit Rasheed with the shovel. AND HIT HIM AGAIN. SHE KILLED HIM and she had every right to do so. 

Laila and Mariam split up. My heart couldn't take this. I knew Mariam was right about the Taliban accusing both of them if they chose to leave together. But really. You think I'm not going to cry at their separation? It was so sad. I truly didn't think my emotions could take anymore, but boy was I in for a ride.

When Mariam was in jail, I had a little sense of hope. I was thinking that they maybe decided to keep her in jail? I'm not sure what I was thinking. When Mariam had her sentencing...I cried. I don't think I've ever cried more reading a book than I did in this last chapter of part three. All the thoughts of hers I read throughout her last moments before her final sentence. Her death sentence. So sad. It really made me think about the Middle East compared to the United States. Hypothetically, if I were to murder my husband who was attempting to kill me, it would most likely be deemed as self defense. But Mariam died for this, just like many other women. I hated having to sit with the fact that Laila would never be able to see her again. Mariam would never be able to spend precious time with Aziza. Heartbreaking. ]]> 2022-02-16 16:31:44 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2051285026 everegra0001 https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2051334250 Originally, I planned on doing an overall review. However, the last chapters hit me too hard to not talk about them. I would rate this book five stares, without a doubt. Great writing. Great details. Great everything.

These chapters focused on Laila, Tariq, Aziza, and Zalmai. Obviously, because Mariam is gone. I'm so thrilled that Laila and Tariq are together again. It's refreshing to read about true love after hearing so much about these forced marriages. 

Tariq is great with the kids. Aziza adores him. They're the same person. Tariq and Zalmai on the other hand, started off a little different. Zalmai despised Tariq and his gifts at first. He wanted HIS dad. Not Tariq. 

When Laila and Tariq decided to go back to Kabul, I admit, I was nervous. I didn't want anything else to go wrong for them. I wanted them to be happy and live with the kids.

Throughout the final part, little details of Mariam were mentioned. Aziza always carries around her doll the Mariam had made for her. Laila and Aziza do the prayers every single morning that Mariam had taught her. I live for it.

When they stopped in Herat, I was at a loss for words. Mullah Faizullah is dead. However, his son was very welcoming to Laila. He even lead Laila in the direction of Mariam's old home which she shared with her Nana. She gave Laila a box from Jalil. Cried. I cried reading the entire letter. So many emotions.

I am so happy that Laila and her family went back to Kabul. Laila is working in the orphanage that Aziza stayed in for awhile, which I think is the perfect fit for her. They are one big happy family.

The ending of the book really hit me hard. Laila shared her new pregnancy and how they all tossed out options for baby names. However, they only considered options for boy names. "Because, if it's a girl, Laila has already named her" (Hosseini, page 415). CRIED. The saddest but most heartfelt ending. 

This book really opened my eyes about so many things, especially different cultures and the Middle East point of view on recent wars. I like how the Hosseini pointed out that 9/11 was more of a betrayal to their people and culture. It depicts the Middle East culture to be something they are absolutely not. I hope I remember this book years down the road and decide to open it back up.]]> 2022-02-16 16:50:36 UTC https://padlet.com/everegra0001/gvq18y8a58m308pw/wish/2051334250