A Thousand Splendid Suns (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Khaled Hosseini Play Audiobook Sample

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Khaled Hosseini Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Atossa Leoni Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780743567602

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

5

Longest Chapter Length:

77:50 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

77:32 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

77:39 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Khaled Hosseini: > View All...

Publisher Description

AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS ON THE BESTSELLER LISTS, KHALED HOSSEINI RETURNS WITH A BEAUTIFUL, RIVETING, AND HAUNTING NOVEL OF ENORMOUS CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years -- from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding -- that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives -- the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness -- are inextricable from the history playing out around them.

Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love -- a stunning accomplishment.

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"This book was hard to read during the first half of it, very depressing about the life of poor Afghanistani women and what they had to endure daily, both married to one very abusive husband. My friend who recommended it encouraged me to keep reading. Very happy that I finished the book because the ending was an amazing! I read this book 3 years ago and still reflect back on how two women's quest for survival and to protect their children during these horrible times when the Taliban overtook their city."

— Margaret (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “[Love] is the emotion—subterranean, powerful, beautiful, illicit, and infitely patient—that suffuses the pages of Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns.”

    — O, The Oprah Magazine
  • “Spectacular…Hosseini’s writing makes our hearts ache, our stomachs clench, and our emotions reel.”

    — USA Today
  • “A brave, honorable, big-hearted book.”

    — Washington Post Book World
  • “Hosseini has the storytelling gift…[He] offers us the sweep of historic upheavals narrated with the intimacy of family and village life.”

    — Los Angeles Times
  • “Hosseini’s bewitching narrative captures the intimate details of life in a world where it’s a struggle to survive, skillfully inserting this human story in to the larger backdrop of recent history.”

    — San Francisco Chronicle

Awards

  • Winner of the 2008 British Book Award for Best Read of the Year
  • A #1 New York Times bestseller
  • A 2007 Time Magazine Top 10 Book for Fiction

A Thousand Splendid Suns Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.35135135135135 out of 54.35135135135135 out of 54.35135135135135 out of 54.35135135135135 out of 54.35135135135135 out of 5 (4.35)
5 Stars: 19
4 Stars: 14
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " By the end of this book, I had tears in my eyes and foreboding in my heart. A heartrending account of what women suffer in Afghanistan. "

    — Meredith Doig, 11/14/2022
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked how all the stories interlinked in the book. I would have like to know what happened to Rasheed to make him so malicious and evil. "

    — Lindsey, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " From the same author as "Kite Runner". "

    — Janet, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this as much as the Kite Runner! Excellent author "

    — Susan, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book even more than the "Kite Runner". Women are women the world over and this book makes a common bond between us no matter what county we live in. "

    — Suzane, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book. Hosseini does really well describing the emotions of both women so that the reader can connect with them. "

    — Bailey, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Remarkable story... a true reflection of a woman's status in a country that has little value of women. "

    — Angela, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It made me too sad to continue after reading 260 pages but I made my sister (who read the whole book) to tell me the story. It's an awesome, powerful story. Quite different from The Kite Runner. Best Khaled Hosseini book :) "

    — Samiha, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although I must admit it was a well-written piece, I found it too disturbing to enjoy it... I understand it tries to portray a very sad reality in our world, but it just was too much for me. Guess I am too sensitive to human suffering... "

    — Ele, 11/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The Kite Runner was just so astonishing, that even though this book is also great, it pales in comparison. But they are both fantastic reads, and they make you face a lot of tough realities. "

    — Sheri, 11/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A compelling read but not a masterpiece. Kite Runner better. "

    — Janet, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " After The Kite Runner, it was hard to imagine the Hosseini could create another such insightful and moving story about the lives and plight of women in the Middle East. "

    — June, 10/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A sad tale. This is definitely not a "feel-good" book but still a story I feel the world needs to hear... "

    — Nicholas, 10/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As riveting as The Kite Runner and just as touching. "

    — Debbie, 10/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Mariam and Laila shared a bond that didn't need blood to bind them. This book is a testament of a woman's capacity to endure. Beautifully written. "

    — Sneha, 8/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It is a really sad book. It was possibly the only book that had me feel sad inside. I would say that this is a good book to read. I would recommend it to anyone. "

    — Sak, 4/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Possibly my favorite work of fiction...ever. "

    — Chip, 9/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This wasn't as good as The Kite Runner but still a good story. "

    — Edye, 8/10/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " As good as, if not better than The Kite Runner. An excellent novel. "

    — Leo, 7/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I loved this book. I felt invested in the lives of the characters and I felt like my eyes were opened to a world/way of life that hadn't noticed before. "

    — Angela, 2/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A simply captivating story, which transported me to a completely different world. A world of sometimes terror, unhappiness, loss and fear but also of great love, comfort, friendship and tenderness. I loved this book. "

    — Claire, 8/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent book, but hard to read at times. I wouldn't want to be a woman in Afghanistan. "

    — Kathryn, 7/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I said thank God I didnt born in Afghan after reading this book. "

    — Shweta, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was one of the best and most heart-wrenching stories I've ever read. I could not put it down! "

    — Sarah, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Sad and touching- a must read! "

    — Erika, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The ending of this book made me cry and have a renewed sense of hope and strength. "

    — RoseAnna, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I can't wait until his next book. I hope he keeps writing.... "

    — Jackie, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " a good read. i thought "The Kite Runner" was better literature, though. "

    — Kristi, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Outstanding isn't a good enough word for this one. "

    — Dana, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Could not put this book down. Probably one of the best books I've read in a really long time. I cried through the last several chapeters. AWESOME "

    — Crystal, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " After the Kite runner, one would think that he cannot do a better job. Yet, as you read a thousand splendid suns, the author never stops to amaze you. A book you cannot leave till the very end. "

    — Rula, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " One of those books that I started before going to bed one night and ended up finishing it sometime early the next morning. Made me cry about a million times - such a good book!! "

    — Stacey, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " So....I only gave it one star. I mostly just skimmed right through it. I had a really hard time with the subject matter, which is maybe why I didn't really sit down and really read it through. "

    — Laura, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " An overwhelming description of oppression of women and how they survive despite incredible odds and still maintain their integrity as human beings. What resilient women. "

    — Elizabeth, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Hosseini is a good writer, and though I may have preferred The Kite Runner, this is a very good book. "

    — Kelly, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " definitely one of my all time favorite books. so far. "

    — Anna, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An outsider's view about insider afghan. "

    — Abhishek, 5/22/2011

About Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to the United States in 1980. His first novel, The Kite Runner, was an international bestseller, published in forty countries. In 2006 he was named a US envoy to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency. He lives in Northern California.

About Atossa Leoni

Atossa Leoni has been working internationally in film, television, and theater since childhood. Atossa played the female lead “Soraya” in Marc Forster’s film The Kite Runner, based on Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel. She currently resides in New York City.