Final Reflection: Overall, I think that this was an absolutely amazing book. For the whole entire novel, I was hooked. The writing was very well done and I was never bored with it. With many books, I don't normally have any feelings towards characters, but with this book, I felt sympathy and even hatred towards the characters in it. This was a very important book for us to read because it opens our eyes to a new culture that many people may not know about. It made me appreciate the life I have and made me feel for anyone who may be going through what Mariam, Laila, and pretty much anyone in the
book may be going through. I cried for Nana, for Mariam's situation, and even for Laila. I hated Rasheed for his abusive ways and Jalil for his fake love for Mariam, but in the end, I felt sympathy for only Jalil because he attempted to make things right. I liked Tariq and Babi for being great examples for what a real man is. I loved Aziza and Zalmai for their pure innocence and having to deal with the terrible world around them. All in all, this book will hold a special place in my heart.
Quotes
Quote 1: "But somehow, over these last months, Laila and Aziza--a harami like herself, as it turned out--had become extensions of her, and now, without them, the life Mariam had tolerated for so long suddenly seemed intolerable." Chapter 35 Page 256
Quote 2: "Her son was a blessing, and Laila was relieved to discover that her fears proved baseless, that she loved Zalmai with the marrow of her bones, just as she did Aziza." Chapter 40 Page 295
Quote 3: "But, mostly, Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns." Chapter 51 Page 414
Questions
Question 2: Why were the hardships of Mariam and Laila so important to have in the novel? Why weren't only the good aspects included in it?
Question 3: Do you wish that there was another outcome? Do you think Mariam should have lived or do you believe she did what was supposed to be done?
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