A Thousand Splendid Suns message

One of the books I have recently read and have thoroughly enjoyed is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I read this book because I really enjoyed reading the Kite Runner that was written in a similar fashion. I think a big reason why A Thousand Splendid Suns is such a success and is enjoyable to read despite of the sad story, is the fact that it contains excellent story telling. Throughout the book we follow a girl named Mariam and the hardships she faces throughout her life. The events in her life are not the only things that keep the reader engaged but also the thoughts and memories that are told simultaneously. One of the passages that I automatically think of when I remember A Thousand Splendid Suns is a passage at the very end of the novel where Laila reflects on Mariam and her sacraficing her own life, "Mariam is never very far. She is here, in these walls they've repainted, in the trees they've planted, in the blankets that keep the children's laughter. She is in the verses Aziza recites and in the prayers she mutters when she bows westward. But, mostly, Mariam is in Laila's own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns."  The thought process and emotions shown are so captivating to the reader that it pulls the reader in. The story telling helps draw the reader in emotionally and connect with the story being told. It is easy to be sympathetic or feel some other emotion for the character, but to be able to be committed and feel truly affected is difficult. While maybe  not on the same level, everyone can relate to associating a person with something. This universal idea accompanied with the powerful words and imagery show the very effective story telling.