A couple of months ago, I asked for book suggestions that would help me cry because I was struggling to cry. *A Thousand Splendid Suns* was one of the top suggestions, and it’s a book I’ve seen recommended countless times. People often say that it’s one of the most beautifully written books they’ve ever read.
Well, I am now barely 50 pages in, and I’m already debating not continuing. First, I am really not impressed with the prose. I find the style of writing really boring. I read a lot of classics and am used to being awed by my favorite authors who can write beautiful prose. This is not one of those books. I find the prose way too simple so far, apart from some of the words I have to look up.
Second, this book is triggering me. The way Nana speaks about Jalil is exactly how my abusive mother spoke about my father, and almost every comment she makes me feel resentful toward the book. My mom and my dad got divorced and I chose to move in with my dad when I was a teenager. The hateful comments Nana makes are super annoying to me.
Does it get better? Why do people like this book? Am I missing something? Why do people rave about this book? The only thing I like about it so far is that the chapters are short so I can take breaks from it.
by ClockwiseSuicide
6 Comments
It was fine, I won’t ever read it again. Books don’t make me cry so I’m no help there.
This sub is obsessed with having to like something because everyone else likes that same thing. Just read something else ffs.
I struggled through it and didn’t enjoy it at all. Very overrated but that’s just my opinion. However, I do live by the philosophy of: “Life is too short to try and finish a book that you’re not enjoying”.
I loved that book, but if you don’t like it then don’t read it….we’re not all supposed to have the same exact taste in books
I thought it was just a spicy smut book. I jacked off to that book a dozen times.
I recently read it, and I agree with a lot of what you said. I think people enjoy it because it’s a glimpse into the everyday life of a family in a stigmatised area of the world, yet the struggles and experiences of women are so relatable in the West.
That being said, having had some traumatic experiences in a marriage in my own past, I would have forgiven myself to put the book down.
You won’t be depriving yourself of an epic story if you leave it for now. Maybe in some time, after even more healing (shout out to you for getting this far!), you’ll be able to do it.