A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini

This book tells the story of Afghanistan's last three decades through the lives of two women. Mariam, a "harami" (bastard) who loved her father and was condemned to love him from afar since she was a disgrace to her father's three wives. She learns soon enough that she is nothing and is given to an older gentleman, Rasheed, a shoe store owner. Unfortunately Mariam is barren and Rasheed unleashes all his frustrations toward her wife. The second woman is Laila. She was the daughter of a university professor, very smart and in love with Tariq, who had lost a leg in a lad mine incident. Unfortunately, a missile hits Laila's home and she is taken in by Mariam to recover. By treachery and force, Rasheed weds Laila, who only submits because she is pregnant already with Tariq's son. At first, there is war between the two women. But as the Soviets are expelled, a strange alliance is formed between the two women against their abusive husband. Propelled by a poetic language and a great story, A Thousand Splendid Suns, is a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history, and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. The novel puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in intimate and human terms. Not a light read--proceed with caution.