Nothing can be so heart rousing as the pain of death and destruction. No country in the world is averse to the political turmoil
and the deplorable situation of Afghanistan. Constant battles and unrest has
taken a huge toll on the people of the once prosperous and culturally rich nation. The
book “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini clearly depicts how life in
general and life of women in particular was marginalised in a patriarchal
society during war. The book presents a grievous picture of the
war torn country, Afghanistan. It gives a harrowing account of the citizens of
country whose minds and souls are bruised and burdened by war. Millions
were rendered homeless and emotionally shaken. Victims of war carried the gruesome torment of irreparable
loss of their loved ones, throughout their lives. It is a moving account of
people of Afghanistan who had to bear the brunt of repeated assaults on their land
by various people over the past few centuries. Though the land is endowed with
rich natural resources and blessed with patriotic souls ready to sacrifice for
their land, repeated incursions ripped the nation apart.
Every plot in the story reminisces of the “survivor’s guilt”
of the author. His overwhelming desire and loyalty as a son of the soil in rescuing
and rehabilitation the victims of war is stunningly clear. The book stands out
for its unique portrayal of Afghanistan and the cataclysm that stuck the people
due to the internecine wars. It mirrors intense agony of the crumbling
aspirations and hope of millions of youngsters and their doting parents. The novel
also illustrates irreprehensible acts of Taliban whose monstrous act of shattering
of the heritage centres like the Bhamiyan Buddha and imposing severe sanctions
of women that had a demoralizing effect on people.
The assiduous attack of the Soviet Union sowed the seeds of
unrest and turmoil following which the country was pushed into an unremitting
phase of wars. These battles wrecked apart lives of common man. During these internecine wars, benign moonlit
nights paved way for uninterrupted rocket attacks which claimed innocuous lives.
Millions of people were rendered homeless and desolate due to untimely deaths
of bread winners. Women were confined to
four walls of home their public participation and movement has been strictly curtailed.
The book presents a soul stirring story of two women from
contrastingly different back grounds who find solace in each other’s company. Both
of them have their own share of misfortunes which hardens to face any
eventuality. Under the crushing life situations, 33 year old Mariam and fifteen
year old Laila, forge a bond of friendship which blossoms into sisterhood.
Together, they endure the torture of their fiendish husband Rasheed and gruesome
aftermath of war like the periods of starvation, brutality and fear. Yet, they
overcome the obstacles of their life due to the sublime strength of love. With startling
acts of heroism, they change the destiny of life and challenge to lead a better
life under unforgiving circumstances. Finally Laila and her childhood love
Tariq return back to Afghanistan after their brief stint in Pakistan and work
towards rehabilitation of the nation. During the intervening time, the Taliban
forces were driven away by the US troops and nation receives a new lease for
life.
The heart wrenching and emotionally stirring account of the
wounded country enkindles the reader’s heart with pity and horror. The author
sums up with the subtle message that indestructible love can triumph death and
destruction. The story highlights the indomitable spirit of the citizens and their love for the land can spur them into reconstruction of their beloved nation from rubbles. Despite every fall, the resolve of the people towards their motherland becomes emboldened. Author excels in his emotional narrative and the reader can really experience the pain and despair of the hapless people under reign of terror. An excellent read that can elicit a soul stirring pain....
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2 comments:
Good Review Haritha! I too read the book and echo your views - unfortunately throughout History we see these unjust atrocities - just the oppressed-oppressor pairs are different at different points of time but human violence has seen no subsidence. Morally it has been degrading all the while. Gandhis are just anomalies stopping the degradation momentarily.
Thank you Swamy...sad but true that often the character of leaders and the time in which they hold political power often influence the nature of events large and small. History is replete of stories where bouts of violence doomed disaster on human beings........
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