Author(s): Dr. Sofia Sadique Qureshi

Abstract: Khaled Hosseini has gained notoriety as a result of his accurate portrayal of his homeland, Afghanistan. His tales are set against Afghanistan’s history, culture, custom, and ethnic variety. His novels’ themes are not limited to a single country or culture; rather, they show the sufferings, struggles, and adventures that are shared by many nations and cultures. A Thousand Splendid Suns follows the lives of two female protagonists, Mariam and Laila, and how their paths cross following a series of dramatic occurrences. The novel then tracks their ongoing relationship and support for one another in Kabul from the 1970s to the 2000s. The tale is set against the backdrop of Afghanistan’s post-Soviet invasion insecurity. It also goes into detail about life under the Taliban rule. The tale highlights the plight of ‘Afghani-women’ over the conflict’s long years. This research paper minutely traces at unconventional relationships and their amalgamation in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. The novel is broken into four sections, each of which focuses on different stories. It provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of how women in other countries are treated, and continue to be treated, today.

Keywords: Relationships, Afghanistan, Belongingness, Intimacy.

Article Info: Received: 13 Dec 2023; Received in revised form: 25 Mar 2024; Accepted: 15 Apr 2024; Available online: 26 April, 2024

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.92.30