A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The Page Turners finally had a meeting after a very long drought.  Very long.  We agreed taking June off was a good idea.  We also knew that A Thousand Splendid Suns would be a tough read.  Some wanted more than a month to read it.  Some did not get it done even with the extended time.  Pointed fingers at a couple of ladies.  You know who you are.
I read it.  I found it to be a great read.  I was worried it might take me some time to get into the story.  I thought the subject matter might keep me from enjoying the book.  Did not happen.  I picked it up and read it fairly quickly.  (In the old days that would mean in a day.  Now it means a week.) 
The story revolves around two women in Afghanistan.  They are from different generations, different classes, and face many of the same challenges.  My fear was the book would only be about how repressed the women were.  The story is really about the strength the two women need to endure the repression and abuse that came from living in Afghanistan.  The abuse is horrific.  It is depressing to read about a subject that is based on truth.  I cannot believe what women in the Middle East must endure to this date.  That is not what I took from the story.  I was amazed at the strength of the women.  I enjoyed reading about their perseverance.  We take some much for granted here.  So many freedoms!  The fact the women had to go without education is so horrible.
The story covers about 30 years of Afghanistan's history. 
One person brought up an interesting point during our book club discussion.  Why would the women that were able to get out of the country come back?  It was their home.  They had deep love for their country.  They did not blame their country for their problems.  They blamed the people in power.  They blamed the men in their lives. 
I rate this book a 5.  Shocked the ladies in attendance at our meeting.  I noticed Goodreads gave it an average of 4.5.  It is worth reading.  I felt like I had more of an understanding of the country.  At the same time I did not feel like it was a historical read.  Good story.  When you are looking for something deep to read, give it a try.