Home : A Thousand Splendid Suns : Study Guide

A Thousand Splendid Suns Study Guide

by Khaled Hosseini

A Thousand Splendid Suns is Khaled Hosseini's second novel. Like his first novel, The Kite Runner, it is set in Afghanistan. A Thousand Splendid Suns study guide contains a biography of Khaled Hosseini, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Mariam, a young girl, lives in a small shack with her mother, Nana, outside of the city of Herat in Afghanistan. Nana had worked as a housemaid for the wealthy cinema owner Jalil, Mariam's father, but after she became pregnant, Jalil cast her out to the shack. Jalil has multiple legitimate wives and children, but Mariam is an illegitimate "harami" or bastard. Jalil visits Mariam once a week, telling stories and bringing gifts. She adores him. Mariam's other friend, Mullah Faizullah, teaches her the Koran and listens to her problems.

Eventually, Mariam askes Jalil to take her to the cinema to see the new cartoon of Pinocchio. Jalil agrees to do so, but he does not come at the expected time. Mariam ventures into Herat herself. She sleeps…

Read the full A Thousand Splendid Suns Summary

• A Thousand Splendid Suns Summary
• About A Thousand Splendid Suns
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-5
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter 6-10
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 11-15
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 16-20
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 21-25
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 26-30
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 31-35
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 36- 40
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 41- 45
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 46-51
• Women in Afghanistan
• Related Links on A Thousand Splendid Suns
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• A Thousand Splendid Suns: Major Themes
• A Thousand Splendid Suns: Essays
• A Thousand Splendid Suns: Questions
• A Thousand Splendid Suns: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Khaled Hosseini: Biography