A thousand splendid suns - Khaled Hosseini

My first encounter with Khaled Hosseini's book paved the way for many more. My interest in Middle-East culture and worldview intensified after the masterful and realistic description of what is happening in Afghanistan and in general in Third World countries.

The book begins with the story of the young and shy Mariam, whose only contact with the outside world is her father, who has long since had another family, as well as other plans for her future. Her problems begin as soon as she enters Rashid's conjugal and cruel world. He sees her as a handmaiden, a place of relief and a means to heirs. But as soon as he doesn't manage to get this from her, his brutal attitude is manifested...

Meanwhile, Laila's life is not typical of the women there. Her father has clear principles and cares about her education and dignity. Very often he tells her: "Marriage can wait. Education cannot." But her world is also turned upside down after her home is destroyed and the poor girl ends up in Rashid's arms. This is how the destinies of Mariam and Laila become intertwined, forming a strange and inseparable bond between them that marks them forever...