A Thousand Splendid Suns

Now reading Khaled Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Hosseini, who authored the 2006 bestseller The Kite Runner, returns to Afghanistan as the backdrop to his novel.

Whereas The Kite Runner focused on fathers and sons, and friendships between men, A Thousand Splendid Suns focuses on mothers and daughters, and friendships between women. Whereas The Kite Runner got off to a gripping start and stumbled into contrivance and sentimentality in its second half, Splendid Suns starts off programmatically and gains speed and emotional power as it slowly unfurls.

It's a superb read, though not quite as good as The Kite Runner, it still provides a glimpse into daily life in Afghanistan.