Mariam is only 15 when she is sent to Kabul to marry Rasheed. Two decades later she forms a friendship with a local teenager, Laila, and when the Taliban take over, making life a desperate struggle for survival, their deep bond moves them to act with an unexpected and startling heroism. 'In case you're wondering whether "A Thousand Splendid Suns" is as good as "The Kite Runner", here's the answer. No. It's better' "Washington Post".