A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS- KHALED HOSSEINI

The second novel by Khaled Hossieni, “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, was released in 2007. The novel narrates the miserable lives of two Afghan women who come together as though destined. The title of the book comes from a line in the Josephine Davis translation of the poem "Kabul", by the 17th-century Iranian poet Siab-e-Tabrizi:
Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.

The two women in the novel are Mariam and Laila, around whom the four parts of the novel revolves. Mariam is the daughter of Jalil and Nana. Being the illegitimate daughter of the reputed businessman, Jalil, Mariam lives in a kolba in Herat with her mother, who used to be the servant at Jalil’s. but Jalil intensely loves Mariam and often visits her though Nana disapproves of these visits. One day Jalil fails to keep the promise of taking Mariam for outing and she eventually lands up at his house. Mariam’s missing greatly hurts her mother and she hangs herself. Jalil has a large family with three wives and children. So he marries away the fifteen year old Mariam to a shoemaker from Kabul, Rasheed , thirty years older to her. Though initially Rasheed is portrayed as a loving husband, subsequently his true colours are revealed. He begins to torture Mariam and is much disturbed that they will not have any children. Hereon the tumultuous life of Mariam with Rashid unfolds.

Laila is a girl in the same neighbourhood who is fond of her friend Tariq, who is handicapped in an accident. Though deep, their friendship knows the boundaries set by the society. In the meantime war visits Afghanistan and Kabul is bombarded by rockets. Tariq and his family decide to leave Kabul and their emotional farewell leads to love making. Laila’s family also decides to leave the place, but her parents are killed in a rocket attack. Laila is deeply injured and is cared by Mariam. Rashid expresses his desire to marry Laila. Initially she opposes to the proposal, but on learning that Tariq is dead and she is carrying Tariq’s child, Laila agrees.

Mariam much annoyed by this develops hatred towards Laila. Rasheed is eager to have a child from his second, young and attractive wife. Laila gives birth to a girl, Aziza and Rasheed becomes suspicious of the child. Aziza soon becomes the link between Laila and Mariam. They both love her and care for her so does she reciprocates the love. Soon Laila and Mariam realize their interdependent existence and become best friends. They begin to develop the feeling that Rasheed is their common enemy.

Soon, Laila gives birth to a son of Rasheed, Zalmai, who epitomizes his father and keeps track of Laila and Mariam. One day a man comes to the house and the novel takes a different turn. With his entry into the novel, the lives of the characters begin to see bright colours. With the death of Rasheed they are both relieved from the tortures of the beast. Though Mariam is not destined to experience true happiness in life, Laila has a refreshingly new life ahead.

The novel is a good narrative of the social taboos and the political instability of Afghanistan. As with the first novel, the response to this novel was also mixed, as a section of people refused to accept the Afghan nation and the society as portrayed by Hosseini. The work stands out for its narrative style and the simple and strong language. It is equally wonderful as its forerunner “The Kite Runner”. This novel is soon to be made into a movie.

THE KITE RUNNER

THE KITE RUNNER- KHALED HOSSEINI

‘The Kite Runner’ is the debut novel by Khaled Hossieni published in 2003. The novel is set in the backdrop of Afghanistan, tracing the political history of Afghanistan, the tumultuous events including the fall of monarchy, the Soviet invasion, the refugee flight and the Taliban regime. The Kite Runner narrates the story of two friends, Amir and Hassan, around whom the whole novel revolves. The first part of the novel narrates the story of their in-depth friendship in the backdrop of the monarchial regime in Afghanistan. The second part involves the Soviet invasion and migration into Pakistan and United States of America. The third part narrates the subsequent Taliban regime and the social situation in Afghanistan.

Amir who is from Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul befriends Hassan, a Hazara boy. Amir’s father Baba considers him to be very timid and is much fond of Hassan. Baba considers Hassan to be more masculine, and despite their friendship Amir develops a dislike towards Hassan. Hassan is the son of Ali, a polio affected man, and servant at Amir’s, and Sanaubar. Hassan is a great Kite Runner and Amir is all praise for Hassan’s skills. Amir is more into writing and sees himself as an author. He is greatly supported by Rahim Khan, a loyal friend of Baba and Amir’s mentor.

The antagonist of the novel is Assef, a teenager, Son of an Afghan father and a German mother, who disapproves Amir’s friendship with Hassan. One day Hassan is physically tortured by Assey in front of Amir but Amir does not react. This incident generates a gap in their friendship, and Amir’s guilt and fear develops into him playing tricks to get Hassan out of his place and he succeeds.

Subsequently, the Soviet invasion forces Amir and Baba to flee to Pakistan and thereon to America. They settle in California, Amir becomes a writer and marries Soraya, daughter of Afghan General Taheri and Khanum Jamila, whom he meets in America. Baba dies of cancer. In the meantime, Amir is called back by Rahim Khan and there the true identity of Hassan is revealed. Amir is then on a mission to save Hassan’s son Sohrab. Here the pathetic situation confronted by Afghanistan during the Taliban regime is highlighted. Also the antagonist, Assef re-emerges. The novel ends on a positive note when Amir unites with Sohrab and they live happily with Soraya. The other major characters in the novel are Farid, a Taxi Driver and Farzana, Hassan’s wife.

The novel throws light on the social and political milieu of Afghanistan. Through the story of friendship of two kids Hosseini has provided a beautiful and strong picture of Afghanistan. The novel has been received with mixed response by the western and eastern world. The work has been made into a movie by the same name.

THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI

THE MONK WHO SOLD HIS FERRARI- ROBIN S SHARMA

‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ is a wonderful work by Robin S Sharma which attempts a new style of writing in the genre of inspirational writing. When most of the books on motivation and inspiration provide becomes monotonous due to the repetitive nature and the preaching style listing the do’s and don’t do’s, what makes this book different is the story telling style. Mr. Sharma has given the framework of a novel for his work. The Book unravels as a conversation between Julian Mantle and his friend John. The readers can easily identify with John the narrator of the story.

Julian Mantle a reputed lawyer leads a life of luxury with a great mansion, daily parties and the most priced possession, the red Ferrari. John is a friend and colleague of Julian with whom he shares a good rapport. Julian’s life takes a sudden change, suspected to his unbalanced lifestyle and he abandons the place selling all his priced possessions including the Ferrari. Julian goes missing for about three years and is gradually forgotten.

One fine morning Julian arrives back at John’s office as a completely transformed man, both physically and spiritually. John who is gradually into the busy world of law practice gets a new opening into the spiritual world. From Julian he gets to learn the real purpose of life and the path to its fulfillment. The rest of the story comprises the treasure of experiences that Julian had gathered from his days spent in India, in the Himalayan valley, on the beautiful land of Sivana. The teachings of Yogi Raman and the various methods to improved living are narrated to John. Julian reminds John to live in the present and serve others in life, which is the ultimate goal in life.

The book as any other work on spirituality and motivation cannot bring in an instant transformation in the readers. But the captivating power of the story telling opens a new world of revelations before us which can definitely provide new insights into our conscience. Moreover, if practiced, the ten tenets can have magical influence on our lives.