Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini, the writer of The Kite Runner, wrote an amazing book called A Thousand Splendid Suns. When I was first assigned this seemingly mediocre novel, my exhaustion and boredom exposed themselves through my unhappy face. "Why do we have to read another novel?" I asked myself. Although the last book assigned was decent, I was dubious about this one. The clay houses on the cover and background of the war in Afghanistan could only prove to be a novel that would drag its feet through the pages. By the end of the week, I knew if I had not yet torn the novel to pieces, someone else would do it for me. Strangely enough, as I reading, one page had not managed to tear itself apart.
Ironically, this novel, indeed, fulfills its reputation for being “splendid.” Little did I know that this novel would boggle my mind, presenting a vision of how the world really expresses life. I always thought that Afghanistan and Iraq were all melodramatic about their horrors, their sufferings. Until I read this novel, I had no idea that life in Afghanistan was very real and similar to how the media presented its war. Mariam, an impoverished young virgin girl, loses her mother to suicide and her father from shame. Laila has her home blown up by a stray RPG missile and even more, her love, Tariq, has left to keep his father in health. Both of these women have nothing coming for them. They have no hope or future; they only have their own hands to desperately grasp onto life.

Doll's house or Doll House & A Thousand Splendid Suns

Today in AP Literature, the class read “The Doll’s House” or “The Doll House”. The play begins with the characters Nora, her husband (Torvald), Christine, Krogstad, and a few other minor characters. When I first heard these two titles, I did not see any difference between them. Little did I know that this slight possessive form completely changes the purpose of the title. After the first few chapters, I began to comprehend the complexity of each title.
The first title, “The Doll’s House,” technically states that the house belongs to the doll. As a result, a larger emphasize is put on house, giving an impression of importance. We see in multiple parts of the book that this title is supported. For example, when Nora calls her children doll babies, this examples provides ample evidence that the “Doll” in the title refers to Nora. Additionally, there are scenes where Nora actually looks like a doll. In Act 3, Nora is dressed in clothing that seems almost perfect (like a doll’s). As a result, the reader begins to read the play in terms of Nora. Due to all these events, the reader believes that the doll IS Nora.
On the other hand, when the play is titled “The Doll House”, more emphasis is put on the word “house,” demanding the reader to ask, “Why is the house so important?” When one sees this title, the play explains that the house could represent the relationship between Nora and Torvald. It is fake and artificial. Even in other events in the play, fake items are exhibited. For instance, Nora is known to have committed forgery. As a result, one must question, which title best suits the play and which title gives the most in-depth interpretation?
On another note, I continued to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. The key descriptions caught my imagination by surprise. Although fictional, the intense imagery and factual background, the author brings this story to life. About a young girl whose mother has committed suicide and her father, ashamed of her daughter, A Thousand Splendid Suns brings a realization of Afghanistan to other countries around the world and especially the Unites States of America. Due to media and other sources, we are driven to believe the horrors in Afghanistan; however, we never fully comprehend the situation because we never actually see the horrors that occur. This novel brings out those horrors that are part of an amazing story and most of all, an amazing history. Even though we wish that these melodramatic events would never or have never occurred, they actually have. Despite our prayers for world peace and tranquility, events such as those shown in this magnificent novel are true stories to thousands in this country. A Thousand Splendid Suns is real.

As I attempt to scribe my thoughts as Anirudh Sundararaghavan (Spelling his name correctly should be extra points... just kidding of course) does, I shall with utmost perseverance try my best to imitate my scholarly peer.
On Friday afternoon, I took an expedition to the book store, "Read It Again". I pondered at the thought, "Why read a novel again, when one has already read it once?" Of course, many peers would object with my opinion; however, it does not mean that I am entirely incorrect. In coming to a conclusion on the store title, I finally saw that it made no matter. I arrived to purchase a novel, nothing else. When i strutted into the store, confident that my novel dwelled deep within one of these shelves, I somehow connected with the store clerk. He somehow knew today's destiny, my purchasing A Thousand Splendid Suns. How did he adumbrate the novel I desired to purchase? Now, I return to my original oriental voice. FREAKAYYYY isn't it?? Well, I hope that Mrs. Clinch and Anirudh enjoys my blog today on my attempt to copy Anirudh writing style. Probably utter failure.