Reading A Thousand Splendid Suns in 2025 felt like stepping into a time capsule, I was not sure that the story is of today's world or is it really 1996. It just felt that transporting me back to an era reminiscent of 1996. The world depicted in the novel, with its haunting realities, made me feel as though I was witnessing history repeat itself—a not-so-pleasant journey through time. Khaled Hosseini didn't just write this book; he poured his soul into it. Each page felt like a piece of his heart, guiding me through the depths of human suffering and resilience. I was unprepared for the emotional weight the story carried. Mariam's life, filled with pain and sacrifice, shattered my heart into countless pieces. Her journey was a testament to the silent endurance many women face, often unnoticed and unacknowledged. Then there's Laila, whose story is equally heartrending. The thought of being forced to flee one's homeland, packing up an entire life into a single box, only to have everything slip away at the last moment, is devastating. Laila's experiences highlight the cruel twists of fate that many endure, where even the hope of escape is snatched away, leaving behind a lingering sense of regret. Not everyone gets the chance to escape. Some are left to face the harsh realities, to live through moments where the thought of not living seems like a solace. The novel doesn't just tell a story; it immerses you in the lives of its characters, making their pain, hopes, and dreams your own.Despite the passage of nearly three decades, the challenges faced by many Afghans today mirror those from that era, particularly concerning the rights and freedoms of women and girls.