Summary of A Thousand Splendid Suns

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a heartbreaking story of two women set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s turbulent history. Mariam, an illegitimate daughter of a wealthy man, is forced by her family to marry a much older man, a shoemaker named Rasheed. When Rasheed’s violent behavior forces Mariam to flee, she finds refuge with a young, spirited woman named Laila. Mariam and Laila form an unlikely bond and together they face the horrors of war, the changing political landscape, and the oppressive social mores of Afghanistan. Despite their struggles, they remain steadfast in their friendship, eventually finding a deep and abiding strength in each other.