Day 4 - Books! - Two Books For When You Need A Good Cry

[cmk418]

Here are a couple of books about women that ripped my heart out and then put the pieces back together again.



Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is the story of two half-sisters who have never met. It begins in Ghana in the 18th century in the early days of the slave trade. One of the pair ends up marrying a wealthy Englishman while the other is captured and sold into slavery. The story follows their journey and that of eight generations of each woman's decendants (some women, some men) from Africa to the United States.

It is a powerful and, at times, heartbreaking book, but it's one that has stuck with me and I don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to read. It can be a hard read, but the way it ends is very fulfilling.


A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni is a beautifully told story of mothers and daughters and wives and friends. The novel, about the relationship of two women in Afghanistan, who are born a generation apart and are forced by circumstance to marry the same man, spans decades.

It is an unflinching depiction of life for women under Taliban rule (abuse is common and it has a childbirth scene that still haunts me). It's the story of daughters and wives and mothers and friends and is beautifully told. To be honest, it has been a while since I've read it, but it has stayed with me for years.

Both of these books are well worth the read, but both had me in tears at various moments, so keep a box of tissues handy should you choose to pick one up.

Comments

[luvbarryfefe]

I've been meaning to read the second book for years. I've heard such good things about it. The first one sounds great too. I will add it to my never-ending want-to-read list. TY for the recs.

[cmk418]

A Thousand Splendid Suns is one that comes up when people ask about books that have made an impact. I think I'm probably going to pick it up for a re-read in the next few months (like you, I've got a growing "want to read" pile)

[lightbird]

OMG, Homegoing is sooo heartbreaking, but so fantastic. I read it several years ago and it has stuck with me.

Hosseni is wonderful.

[cmk418]

It is. I swear I got to a point where I'd start a section and hope I could get to the end of it without bawling or being outraged. Both Gyasi and Hosseni love to steep their books in misery but I am here for them.

[potentiality_26]

Interesting sounding books. Will add to (rapidly growing) to read list. Thank you <3

[cmk418]

They're good and if you enjoy reading whump!fics then you'll like them.

[sisterdivinium]

I haven't read any Hosseini yet, but I think now that will be my first candidate when I do, thank you!

[cmk418]

I've appointed him the "King of Misery" but his books are so good.

[switchbladeeyes]

These both sound great!

[cmk418]

They are. Definitely things I'd recommend if you're looking for reading with perhaps a different worldview.

[snowynight]

They sound powerful. Thanks for the recs!

[cmk418]

They will stay in your mind for a while- these are also books that you might have to set aside midway through and read something light before picking it up again, but still so compelling that you'll want to pick it up again.

[spiralicious]

Thank you for the recs

[cmk418]

My pleasure. I hope you enjoy them.