A Thousand Splendid Suns: Plot Summary

1. Mariam, a teenager in the early 1970s, lives with her mother, Nana, in a kolba outside Herat.
2. Mariam is the illegitimate child of Nana and Jalil, a wealthy cinema owner.
3. Mariam learns to recite verses from the Koran from Mullah Faizullah, whom she admires.
4. Jalil visits Mariam weekly, but Nana tries to convince her that he is ashamed of her.
5. Against Jalil's wishes, Mariam visits him in Herat, but he avoids her.
6. Mariam returns to find her mother has hanged herself.

7. Feeling guilty, Mariam loathes Jalil even more after he marries her off to Rasheed, a shoe shop owner in Kabul.
8. In Kabul, Rasheed initially treats Mariam well but becomes hostile after she suffers multiple miscarriages.
9. Part II introduces Laila, growing up in Kabul with her progressive father, Babi, and depressed mother, Mammy.
10. Laila's brothers die fighting against the Soviets, worsening Mammy's depression.
11. Laila's childhood friend, Tariq, loses a leg in a land mine accident.
12. Laila and Tariq's relationship turns romantic before his family flees to Pakistan.
13. Laila's parents are killed by a rocket just as they are preparing to leave Kabul.
14. Part III alternates between Mariam's and Laila's perspectives.
15. Rasheed digs Laila out of the rubble and marries her, though Mariam opposes it.

16. Laila marries Rasheed to save her unborn child with Tariq.
17. Laila gives birth to Aziza, and Rasheed becomes violent again.
18. Laila and Mariam become close friends and allies after Laila defends Mariam from Rasheed.
19. Laila and Mariam attempt to escape to Pakistan but are betrayed and beaten by Rasheed.
20. The Taliban take control of Afghanistan, enforcing strict laws against women.
21. Laila realizes she is pregnant with Rasheed's child and gives birth to a boy, Zalmai.
22. A severe drought causes Rasheed to lose his business, leading to hunger.
23. Mariam learns Jalil died in 1987 and attempts to contact his family.
24. Rasheed forces Laila to send Aziza to an orphanage.

25. Tariq returns, revealing Rasheed's deceit about his death.
26. Rasheed discovers Laila's meeting with Tariq and beats her.
27. Mariam kills Rasheed with a shovel to save Laila.
28. Mariam turns herself into the Taliban and is executed to protect Laila.
29. Part IV shows Laila and Tariq living in Murree but returning to Afghanistan.
30. Laila visits Herat and receives a letter from Jalil asking for Mariam's forgiveness.
31. Laila works at an orphanage and is pregnant with her third child, planning to name her Mariam.