MY Journey:
As I said in my testimonial, I was skeptical about this book and the outcome starting out. I was confused about the title, I didn't think I would get anything out of it, and I was scarred from my last depressing novel I read. I listened and had faith in Mrs. Henning's recommendation for this novel. I was confused and a bit challenged at first to read the novel. The book starts off with Mariam, as a little girl, dropping a precious porcelain piece, and her mother scolding her relentlessly. I thought for sure I was going to dread this book, and that I would have another bad experience with reading this book too.
It was apparent early on that Mariam was a harami, an illegitimate child, to say politely (Hosseini 4). I continued to read on and find myself liking Mariam's father, Jalil, because I thought he was suitable and was respectful, visiting every Thursday like clockwork to visit Mariam. He had a home already and a copious amount of wives but still made sure his daughter was taken care of. I started to lose all respect for him when he refused to let his daughter inside, after she traveled from Dul Daman to Herat just to see him. This just showed that his values for "keeping face" was far more greater than the importance of his daughter ever was. In essence, he would rather throw out his child than accepting dishonor upon his name. This wrecked Mariam because she didn't only lose her father ultimately, but she lost her mother too. Her mother, Nana, threatened to Mariam that if she ever left Dul Daman, that she would kill herself. Mariam called her bluff and pursued to Herat, only to find out that her mother was NOT lying. She meant what she said. That day changed everything, from then on Mariam wasn't accepted in Jalil's house and no longer apart of Nana's. In fear of "losing face," Jalil did not accept Mariam into his home, and arranged a forced marriage on Mariam that would affect her life forever.
In Mariam's life, problems continued to erupt. Her husband being one of them. It was apparent time after time that Mariam could not bare children, something that Rasheed, the husband, resented her for. He became abusive, making her eat rubble, after not making a suitable meal (Hosseini 104). He would do such repulsive acts, I wanted to choke him through the pages. I could not believe the horrible life that Mariam had to suffer through. As I read, I could only imagine of all the lives that were similarly affected from awful circumstances and abusive people that you cannot always get away from. This book reminded me of people who were trapped in their situation, and did not have a voice to speak out in fear that they would be harmed yet again. I have a family member who was not in a good predicament. Red flags were showered even in the beginning, but her perception of him was far greater than her reality. She got married to this man, and problems only continued. Years after marriage, they had a baby that my family was not allowed to see. It took months and pleadings from my parents, that we were allowed to see the new baby girl. Soon after, the husband restricted access again to communicate to my family. It seemed as though she was trapped and would never escape, especially having two more children after her first. She was determined to make things work, she thought if she fought hard enough, things would come to light. Sadly, when you come in arms length of an abuser, you may never see the light. The only thing they could do is take the light out of you. Remarkably, she realized that there was only darkness surrounding him, and she found the light within herself. After 12 years, she was finally free.
Then in part two, there was Laila.
Laila was just your average girl, who loved life, loved learning, and loved love. Her parents were taken away from her from a rocket that blasted in her home. She was taking books outside because they finally came to the conclusion that they would all move, after serious consideration with the wars. Then just like that, she was an orphan another innocent victim from war. She was told soon after her recovery from the blast that her lover, Tariq, was killed in another incident separate from the blast. Since she knew she was with child, she saw the proposal to marry Rasheed as the only way to live. This is when Laila and Mariam's lives intertwine and deal with the same abuser.
As I am discussing this book, it seems as though there is no redemption and that there is only awful, pitiful, atrocious things that have happened in this novel. If you have come this far reading this page and have not read the book yet for yourself, this is your chance to read the ending and see how the novel is inspiring and truly beautiful.
As I continue, I will discuss my final thoughts on the ending, so if you want to read the book or ending for yourself, do not continue reading!
I loved the progression of Mariam and Laila's relationship with one another. First they hated each other, then they came to the conclusion that they truly only had each other. From total disgust turned to tolerating, to liking, and to loving. It was inevitable that they had each other to cling to! Together they were stronger, and together they fought their abuser that they couldn't have done alone!
Rasheed was irrational and he was bullheaded, aimed to kill. He had grips on Laila, which Mariam knew would be fatal. Mariam took it on herself to swing the pan and do it again, aiming for Rasheed's head each time. The second time with all her might! She knew he would kill them both if she hadn't.
From Killing Rasheed, it ended Mariam's life but started Laila's. Mariam knew that if she didn't give herself up, that they would find her and take them all. Mariam sacrificed her life, so Laila could live hers. Laila was able to continue on and live her life with Tariq and her two children, and Mariam's life shined through them all, significantly Laila's.
Reading this book brought me on quite the journey. There was so many evil doings and hardships, but truly the relentless love compensated for all that was corrupt. Laila was able to start life again with Tariq because Mariam gave up her life. Mariam first threw herself at Rasheed because he was going to take the life out of Laila, then she sacrificed herself afterwards.
Mariam demonstrated love on the highest account that anyone could!
It was apparent early on that Mariam was a harami, an illegitimate child, to say politely (Hosseini 4). I continued to read on and find myself liking Mariam's father, Jalil, because I thought he was suitable and was respectful, visiting every Thursday like clockwork to visit Mariam. He had a home already and a copious amount of wives but still made sure his daughter was taken care of. I started to lose all respect for him when he refused to let his daughter inside, after she traveled from Dul Daman to Herat just to see him. This just showed that his values for "keeping face" was far more greater than the importance of his daughter ever was. In essence, he would rather throw out his child than accepting dishonor upon his name. This wrecked Mariam because she didn't only lose her father ultimately, but she lost her mother too. Her mother, Nana, threatened to Mariam that if she ever left Dul Daman, that she would kill herself. Mariam called her bluff and pursued to Herat, only to find out that her mother was NOT lying. She meant what she said. That day changed everything, from then on Mariam wasn't accepted in Jalil's house and no longer apart of Nana's. In fear of "losing face," Jalil did not accept Mariam into his home, and arranged a forced marriage on Mariam that would affect her life forever.
In Mariam's life, problems continued to erupt. Her husband being one of them. It was apparent time after time that Mariam could not bare children, something that Rasheed, the husband, resented her for. He became abusive, making her eat rubble, after not making a suitable meal (Hosseini 104). He would do such repulsive acts, I wanted to choke him through the pages. I could not believe the horrible life that Mariam had to suffer through. As I read, I could only imagine of all the lives that were similarly affected from awful circumstances and abusive people that you cannot always get away from. This book reminded me of people who were trapped in their situation, and did not have a voice to speak out in fear that they would be harmed yet again. I have a family member who was not in a good predicament. Red flags were showered even in the beginning, but her perception of him was far greater than her reality. She got married to this man, and problems only continued. Years after marriage, they had a baby that my family was not allowed to see. It took months and pleadings from my parents, that we were allowed to see the new baby girl. Soon after, the husband restricted access again to communicate to my family. It seemed as though she was trapped and would never escape, especially having two more children after her first. She was determined to make things work, she thought if she fought hard enough, things would come to light. Sadly, when you come in arms length of an abuser, you may never see the light. The only thing they could do is take the light out of you. Remarkably, she realized that there was only darkness surrounding him, and she found the light within herself. After 12 years, she was finally free.
Then in part two, there was Laila.
Laila was just your average girl, who loved life, loved learning, and loved love. Her parents were taken away from her from a rocket that blasted in her home. She was taking books outside because they finally came to the conclusion that they would all move, after serious consideration with the wars. Then just like that, she was an orphan another innocent victim from war. She was told soon after her recovery from the blast that her lover, Tariq, was killed in another incident separate from the blast. Since she knew she was with child, she saw the proposal to marry Rasheed as the only way to live. This is when Laila and Mariam's lives intertwine and deal with the same abuser.
As I am discussing this book, it seems as though there is no redemption and that there is only awful, pitiful, atrocious things that have happened in this novel. If you have come this far reading this page and have not read the book yet for yourself, this is your chance to read the ending and see how the novel is inspiring and truly beautiful.
As I continue, I will discuss my final thoughts on the ending, so if you want to read the book or ending for yourself, do not continue reading!
I loved the progression of Mariam and Laila's relationship with one another. First they hated each other, then they came to the conclusion that they truly only had each other. From total disgust turned to tolerating, to liking, and to loving. It was inevitable that they had each other to cling to! Together they were stronger, and together they fought their abuser that they couldn't have done alone!
Rasheed was irrational and he was bullheaded, aimed to kill. He had grips on Laila, which Mariam knew would be fatal. Mariam took it on herself to swing the pan and do it again, aiming for Rasheed's head each time. The second time with all her might! She knew he would kill them both if she hadn't.
From Killing Rasheed, it ended Mariam's life but started Laila's. Mariam knew that if she didn't give herself up, that they would find her and take them all. Mariam sacrificed her life, so Laila could live hers. Laila was able to continue on and live her life with Tariq and her two children, and Mariam's life shined through them all, significantly Laila's.
Reading this book brought me on quite the journey. There was so many evil doings and hardships, but truly the relentless love compensated for all that was corrupt. Laila was able to start life again with Tariq because Mariam gave up her life. Mariam first threw herself at Rasheed because he was going to take the life out of Laila, then she sacrificed herself afterwards.
Mariam demonstrated love on the highest account that anyone could!