Why a thousand splendid suns

When Rasheed finds out that Tariq has come home, he brutally beats Laila. With a shovel, Mariam kills Rasheed. The next day, Mariam turns herself over to the Taliban in an effort to clear the way for Laila to find sanctuary for herself and her children in Pakistan with Tariq. In Pakistan, Tariq and Laila marry and finally begin the life they dreamed of so many years ago.

With time, both of Laila's children warm to Tariq and they enjoy their new life. But in September, , their happiness is overshadowed by news that the United States has attacked Afghanistan. Following the US invasion, conditions in Kabul improve, and Laila insists that her family move back home so they can help rebuild their city.

They stop by Herat on their way to Kabul, where Laila visits Mariam's old home and is able to come to terms with her grief over Mariam's execution. Laila and Tariq build a new life in Kabul: Laila becomes a schoolteacher at the orphanage where Aziza once lived.

And when Laila becomes pregnant, she decides that if she has a girl, she'll name her Mariam. Next Mariam. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title. Are you sure you want to remove bookConfirmation and any corresponding bookmarks? My Preferences My Reading List. David Coulter Original Music is an English-born multidisciplinary artist, musician, composer, director, and educator based in the Bay Area.

Since the s, he has directed shows, produced records, and played his musical saw and other assorted weird and less-weird instruments in studios, theatres, and stages and on recordings around the world with the likes of The Pogues, Tom Waits and Robert Wilson, Kronos Quartet, Laurie Anderson, Yoko Ono, Hal Willner, and Gorillaz. Coulter curates and directs numerous multi-artist events. He is a visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, and he has played the didgeridoo at the invitation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on a number of official occasions.

Buescher is the Head of Movement in A. Her numerous other productions for A. A Conversation with Congresswoman Susan A. Davis: Reflecting on her experience in Afghanistan Sunday, June 17 at p. Hattox Hall. Please join Congresswoman Susan Davis for her reflections on working with the women of Afghanistan, the challenges they face, and the future development of Afghanistan. FREE and open to the public, no reservations required.

This free evening discussion will focus on the work, and the fruits, of the San Diego Jalalabad Sister Cities Foundation. The evening will culminate with a Skype video conference call with a group of Afghan women participating in a program in which they learn English and technological skills.

Globe audience members will have the chance to hear from them about their daily lives, ask questions, and participate in conversation. FREE; no reservations necessary. Afghanistan Then and Now Friday, May 18 at p. This series provides Old Globe patrons with an opportunity to closely connect with productions both onstage and backstage.

Each Insights Seminar takes place 90 minutes before curtain time on the Tuesday after performances begin, and includes an informal reception 30 minutes before the start. Join us after the show for an informal and enlightening question-and-answer session with cast members.

Get the "inside story" on creating a character and putting together a professional production. Post-show forums are scheduled after select Tuesday and Wednesday evening performances. Explore the ideas and issues raised by a production through brief, illuminating post-show discussions with local experts, such as scientists, artists, historians and scholars.

Subject Matters will ignite discussion, bring the play's concerns into sharp focus, and encourage you to think beyond the stage!

He teaches Mariam from the Koran and cares for Mariam like family. When Jalil does not arrive, Mariam leaves her home to find him. When she is taken back to her kolba , Mariam discovers that Nana has hung herself. Mullah Faizullah tries to comfort Mariam, by visiting her as much as he can.

Mariam is married to Rasheed, a shoemaker nearly thirty years older than Mariam. When Jalil sends Mariam to Kabul to live with her new husband, Mariam tells Jalil she never wishes to see him again. Kabul is a confusing place for Mariam. While Mariam wears a burqa in public, she sees other women wearing makeup and high heels. Within a few years, Mariam becomes pregnant, and Rasheed prays for a boy.

Rasheed takes Mariam to the hospital, and a doctor confirms that Mariam has had a miscarriage. In , the political environment in Afghanistan is chaotic. The communist party gains power and eventually overthrows the Afghan government and executes its president. Laila has never known her brothers, Ahmad and Noor. The two young men are members of the Afghan resistance fighting against the communist rule of Soviet Russia.

Hakim, whom Laila calls Babi, is a teacher at the university in Kabul. Babi is tender with Laila and patient with Mammy. Laila feels guilty for not grieving as deeply as Mammy. Laila cares more for her dearest friend, Tariq, than she does for her brothers. Tariq, just a few years older than Laila, is kind to her and a fierce protector. Even though Tariq has lost a leg, he fights neighborhood boys when they bully Laila. As they grow older, Laila becomes more aware of the gossip that surrounds her friendship with Tariq.

Though Laila worries about her reputation, she allows her relationship with Tariq to become intimate. By , Laila is fourteen. Communist forces in Afghanistan have been overthrown, and the city of Kabul becomes a battleground for rival warlords. When Tariq tells Laila that his family is leaving Afghanistan, Laila is overcome.