A Thousand Splendid Suns

I've been trying to decide what to say about the book A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. The book is so beautifully written that it's hard to put my thoughts about it into words. I think that with so much conflict going on in the Middle East right now, it would be good for everyone to read this book. I'll never feel the same way again when I see a woman in a burka. Reading this book, I was able to really put myself into the shoes of the Afghan women, and I didn't like the way it felt. The book starts out in the pre-Taliban days when the Communists were trying to take over the country, and it ends in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

I cried many times while reading this book. I cried not only because I wished I could help these women and their country, but I also cried out of selfish fear. I started to wonder what it would be like if something like the Taliban took over our country. With the election coming up, I'm very concerned about what will happen in the world if our next president doesn't take a firm stand against terrorists and tyrants. If our next president is soft on terror, then the terrorists will be that much closer to world domination...one big Arab state. Then you and I, heaven forbid, might have to learn how to navigate sidewalks while wearing a burka. We will have to get used to staying inside our homes unless escorted by a man. We will have to get used to never driving a car or buying anything. We will have to get used to having no rights at all. We will be treated worse than a dog.

I've never been much of a John McCain fan, but after reading this book I think that he's the best man for the job during these times. He'll be a strong leader against terror. On the other hand, the thought of a man with Islamic ties (stronger ties than I think he tells everyone) becoming the leader of the Free World scares the mess out of me. I'm going to pray for all of the candidates. That's the best thing that I can do. I'm also going to pray for people all over the world who are oppressed and have never known the kind of freedom that we have here. After reading this book, I'll never take my freedom for granted again.

My two favorite lines of the book:
"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."

"One last time, Mariam did as she was told."