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Mariam is forced to marry Rasheed, a shoemaker and sadistic brute, and is immediately subjected to his rudeness, contempt and violence. Enter Laila who has long nurtured a passionate love for one Tariq. Having been deceived into thinking him dead, Laila, utterly bereft, is inveigled into partnership with Rasheed, soon to be followed by children, while Mariam is required to continue as domestic serf. The day of reckoning comes for Laila. Previously content with one victim to beat senseless for any questioning, disagreement or imperfection, Rasheed now has another on whom to rain blows.
Hosseini is wise to the reality that submissiveness has its limits. Eventually, the two women, once foes, now friends, turn on their abuser to end their physical torture forever. Mariam pays the ultimate price, but Laila has the chance to rebuild her life with her first love.
The author is uncompromising both in his depiction of domestic violence and in his portrayal of the Taliban as bigoted, backward-looking and brutal in equal measure. And Mariam is a fine heroine. When her end is nigh, she persuades herself that she is somehow fortunate.
The reminder of the endless tribulations visited upon ordinary Afghans over nearly 30 years is worth hearing. Yet the war story is secondary to the message about hope, love and survival against the odds. Hosseini writes beautifully and is a natural storyteller.
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