August meeting: notes

June meeting discussion and notes

Title: A thousand splendid suns
Author: Khaled Hosseini

Synopsis: Mariam is only fifteen when she is sent to Kabul to marry the troubled and bitter Rasheed, who is thirty years her senior. Nearly two decades later, in a climate of growing unrest, tragedy strikes fifteen-year-old Laila, who must leave her home and join Mariam's unhappy household. Laila and Mariam are to find consolation in each other, their friendship to grow as deep as the bond between sisters, as strong as the ties between mother and daughter. With the passing of time comes Taliban rule over Afghanistan, the streets of Kabul loud with the sound of gunfire and bombs, life a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, the women's endurance tested beyond their worst imaginings. Yet love can move a person to act in unexpected ways, lead them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with a startling heroism.

Discussion questions for Khaled Hosseini's 'A Thousand Splendid Suns'

Greetings bookmates,

The questions for this Saturday's SBC meeting are -

1. I could not understand Mariam's father. he obviously loved Mariam and visited her weekly, but did not help her out when she most needed it. Was it just because he was weak or didn't want his reputation ruined? Or did his wives have a lot of influence in the household?
2. Was Rasheed just a product of his own evil personality or of the country and culture he grew up in, in a 'Pre-Soviet Invasion" Afghanistan?
3. Throughout the book, there were about 4 different regimes that had control in Afghanistan. The monarchy, the Soviets, then a civil war and then the Taliban. Which was the best and worst for the civilian population?
4. The rules, issued by the Taliban, about what people could and could not do, was astonishing. What would the educated woman living in Kabul have done at this time?
5. I found that there were a few emotional moments in the book when I needed some tissues. Which moments affected you the most?
6. Nana on page 17, said that "There is only one, one skill a woman like you and me needs in life, and they don't teach it in school."..."only one skill. And it's this tahamul . Endure." How true do  you think that was?
7. How would you describe Mariam and Laila's friendship? 
8. Who was your favourite character?
9. Were you satisfied with the ending of the book? Was it too much of a 'happy ending'? Maybe not very realistic compared with the rest of the book?
10. How do you rate the book from 1 to 5?    

P.S. The good news Gail is bringing a friend who spent 18 years in Afghanistan, which is great as this add will add some depth to our discussion.

cheers Nat                

SBC Notes from People of the Book

I am not sure whether our notes will match the actual discussion but here goes.

Q1.

contrast new /old world Europe/Australia

lighter moments from the present part

main character from the other side of the world,  helps reader identify with the book

Q2.

general opinion not too graphic,  could have been worse.

Made it real & had an impact, made reader appreciate what we have

Q3

Infiqya - interesting, fascinating information, interesting way to learn history, makes you look things up in the dictionary

More tolerant of other cultures.

People of the Book, phrase for both Jews & Muslims that follow bible/Koran

Q4

in general no.

Q5

Yes it was an unusual relationship - bit extreme maybe.

Comment made that it was surprising that Hanna didn't make more effort to find her father when she was younger, often teenagers will do this as part of asserting their own identity

Q6

Q7

Book about hiding, everyone seemed to have something to hide; rabbi, chief censor,

survival e.g. the book and Jews, Sarajevo

Book drawn by a Muslim, using Christian imagery for a Jew.

Q8

yes. weak.

Q9 

Because he was a Jew, difference of a opinion on whether it was it conscious or unconscious?

Q10

yes and no

Q11

Most didn't have a favourite character

Q12

Rating out of five, an average of 3.7.

4,4,4,4,3,4,3,3,4,4,4