A Thousand Splendid Suns

The tiny bristles scratched Laila's palm pleasantly. Tariq wasn't like some of the other boys, whose hair concealed cone shaped ...

"Heart attack. His second," Tariq's mother said, giving her husband an admonishing look. Tariq's father blew smoke and winked at ...

Pashtuns, who were the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. Tajiks have always felt slighted, Babi had said. Pashiun kings ruled ...

What are you crying for? He'd strapped his leg back on. You asked to see it, you giryanok, you crybaby! If I'd known you were go ...

"I was trying to annoy you," she said. He gave her a sidelong glance. "It worked." But she thought his grimace softened. And she ...

Khadim never bothered Laila again. That night, as most nights, Laila set the dinner table for two only. Mammy said she wasn't h ...

and work alongside men. God forbid that should happen! Babi liked to say sarcastically. Then he would sigh, and say, Laila, my l ...

need to speak to your parents, dokhiar jan" he said when Laila opened the door. He was a stocky man, with a sharp, weather r ...

"Keep him away from me." That was the only time Mammy said anything all morning. Babi ended up sitting alone on a folding chair ...

he ailments that would hound Mammy for the rest of her days began. Chest pains and headaches, joint aches and night sweats, ...

Mammy rolled onto her back. Laila shifted, rested her head on Mammy's chest. "Some days," Mammy said in a hoarse voice, "I liste ...

Mammy's heart the way her brothers had, because Mammy's heart was like a pallid beach where Laila's footprints would forever was ...

he driver pulled his taxi over to let pass another long convoy of Soviet jeeps and armored vehicles. Tariq leaned across the ...

HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE DRIVER PULLED OVER. "Come on, you two," Babi said. "Come outside and have a look." They got out of the ...

"We're standing atop its head," he said, wiping his brow with a handkerchief "There's a niche over here where we can look out." ...

"Be careful," said Babi. "I will, Kakajan," Tariq's voice echoed back. Laila watched a trio of men far below, talking near a cow ...

Babi said they would hold birthday parties at the restaurant, engagement ceremonies, New Year's get-togethers. It would turn int ...

when he had gone to Ghazni. She remembered all too well how time had dragged without him, how she had shuffled about feeling way ...

JANUARY 1989 ne cold, overcast day in January 1989, three months before Laila turned eleven, she, her parents, and Hasina we ...

"He's their puppet. They'll keep the war going through him, you can bet on that." Someone in the next aisle voiced his agreement ...