Afghanistan Timeline

Hosseini Khaled often helps his readers understand the historical timeline for key events that are the backdrop of wars in Afghanistan. To help you further see the broader picture, check this website that presents an overview of key events in the 20th and 21st centuries in the country's history: BBC Afghanistan Timeline. After reviewing the timeline, comment on what you have learned about the country's struggles.

Image from the bbc timeline site as provided at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1162108.stm is of one of the Budda statues that the Taliban destroyed at when it blew up Bamiyan.

Khaled Hosseini: Writing from a Woman's Perspective

Writing from a woman’s perspective for a male author is often a topic of discussion for literary critics and book reviewers. Listen to Khaled Hosseini talk about writing his novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Check his website, and click on the link, “Writing from a Female Perspective,” to hear what he has to say about the challenge of writing not just from one woman's perspective but two.

Overall, after reading the novel, do you think he succeeds in capturing an authentic female perspective? Does his explanation convince you?

At Hosseini's website, you also find a link, “Becoming a Writer.” Check out the link to find out how he became a writer in spite of being a science major in college and going on to medical school to become a doctor. What do you like about Hosseini’s approach to writing? What do you learn from him about ways to become a successful writer? In general, how does exploring his website help you to understand him not just as a writer but also as a person? And, how does a visit to the site increase your appreciation for our common reading, A Thousand Splendid Suns?

http://www.khaledhosseini.com/

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Listen to the author of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini, talk about his book on this You Tube video. After listening to the video, post your comments. How does listening to the author talk about his book help you to understand his book, his purpose, and the book's background? What have you learned by listening to the video? Remember to return to this blog posting after viewing the video to post your comments.

URL for the You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kyalTT_wY

Image of the author from http://www.npr.org/