Author: Khaled Hosseini

The book follows the lives of two Afghan women – Mariam and Laila. Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of a man who already has three wives; although loved by her father she and her mother live in squalid conditions on the outskirts of the city. Laila grows up in a home where her father emphasizes the rights of women. Both women end up married to the same man and their lives become much worse.

I expect the living conditions revealed in the story were true for many Afghan women and, although harsh, they were possibly better off than many.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *