Publisher: Riverhead Books
384 Pages
I was very touched by this story of two Afghan women and how their lives cross spanning from the 1960’s to the year 2003. This story starts with a woman named Mariam. At the beginning of the story she is a small child and knows that she is different. Different because she is not wanted. She thinks that her father loves her and that it is her mother that dislikes her. When Mariam turns fifteen, Mariam realizes that her father is ashamed of her too. Through the chain of events Mariam finds herself married to a man quite a bit older than her. As time passes, Mariam is unable to give Rasheed the son he so much desires. Because of this he becomes quite abusive toward her. Years pass. Mariam does not have many friends.
In the same neighborhood that Mariam lives is a young girl named Laila. Laila is very beautiful. All during Laila’s childhood she has been friends with a boy named Tariq. At this time the war comes to Afghanistan, and Kabul is bombarded. Tariq’s family is going to leave Kabul. When Tariq comes by to say good bye to Laila the emotional farewell ends with them makeing love. The war becomes bad that Laila’s family decided to leave Kabut too. But before they do their house is bombed. Laila parents are killed and Laila is badly wounded. Laila is dug out of the rubble by Rasheed. Rasheed and Mariam nurse her back to health.
During this time Laila realizes that she is pregnant. She agrees to become Rasheed’s second wife after being told that Tariq is dead. Laila gives birth to a daughter named Aziza. Rasheed is very unhappy with the birth of daughter and becomes suspicious. Rasheed becomes even more abusive. Eventually Mariam and Laila become confidants.
As the years pass, Laila gives birth Rasheed’s son – Zalmai. The Taliban has risen in power. The region is experiencing a drought and the living conditions have become poor. The family sends Aziza to an orphanage. One day Tariq appears outside the orphanage. Tariq comes to Rasheed’s house and the passion between them has never died. When Rasheed returns home from work, Zalmai tells his father about the visitor to the house. Rasheed savagedly beats Laila and is about to kill her. Mariam takes a shovel and kills Rasheed.
Laila and Tariq leave together. Mariam confesses to killing her husband and is executed. After the war Laila and Tariq return to Kabul. But first Laila returns to Mariam’s hometown and discovers that Mariam’s father always regretted sending her away.
This book gave me a glimpse of how life must be in a country where women do not have many rights. I do not believe that Mariam knew what is was like to have companionship and a good relationship with someone until Laila through her actions shows her friendship. I was much touched with Mariam’s sacrifice so that Laila and Tariq could be together. I do not think that as a mother, wife, friend that I truly know what it means to sacrifice so much for someone else. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to others to read.
Reflections 