Summary: In this article, I have handpicked 20 of the best books like A Thousand Splendid Suns that will immerse you in rich narratives of cultural struggles and the power of the human spirit. My top 3:
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
- The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Thousand Splendid Suns
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
- The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
- The Lotus and the Storm by Lan Cao
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
- The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
- The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz
- The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff
1. The Nightingale
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: Set during World War II, The Nightingale follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France, each trying to survive the war in her own way, highlighting themes of sacrifice and the strength of women.
- Style of writing: Poignant, descriptive, and emotionally evocative.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: This novel leaves a deep, lasting impression with its powerful portrayal of courage and love during wartime.
- Difficulty level: Medium, with some emotional heaviness.
- Why read it: It explores love, sacrifice, and the role of women in wartime, delivering a moving and unforgettable story.
2. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
- Author: Lisa See
- About: This novel follows the story of a mother and daughter separated by cultural divides in China, revolving around the tea trade.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, cultural, and evocative.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: It offers a heartfelt exploration of maternal love and the complexities of family relationships.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a rich, cultural narrative about family, identity, and personal growth.
3. The Henna Artist
- Author: Alka Joshi
- About: Set in 1950s India, this story follows a woman who escapes an abusive marriage to become a successful henna artist while navigating societal expectations.
- Style of writing: Detailed and immersive with a focus on character growth.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: A strong emotional story about independence, resilience, and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a gripping story about a woman’s quest for independence and the challenges she faces in a male-dominated society.
4. The Kite Runner
- Author: Khaled Hosseini
- About: A story of friendship, betrayal, and redemption between two boys in Afghanistan, set against the backdrop of political upheaval.
- Style of writing: Beautiful, emotional, and evocative.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2003
- Emotional impact: The book leaves a profound emotional impact, dealing with themes of guilt, redemption, and friendship.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a heartbreaking story of friendship, forgiveness, and the cultural and political history of Afghanistan.
5. And the Mountains Echoed
- Author: Khaled Hosseini
- About: Spanning continents and generations, this novel explores the relationships between siblings and the sacrifices they make for each other.
- Style of writing: Poetic, multi-layered, and sweeping.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving with themes of family, sacrifice, and regret.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a heart-wrenching yet beautifully told story about family bonds and the consequences of past actions.
6. The Lotus and the Storm
- Author: Lan Cao
- About: A Vietnamese-American family grapples with the aftermath of the Vietnam War, focusing on themes of identity and loss.
- Style of writing: Lyrical, introspective, and emotionally charged.
- Length: ~115,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: It provides an intimate exploration of the scars left by war and the longing for a lost homeland.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a poignant story of identity and family, shedding light on the lasting effects of war.
7. The Warmth of Other Suns
- Author: Isabel Wilkerson
- About: A non-fiction account of the Great Migration, detailing the lives of three African Americans who fled the South for northern cities.
- Style of writing: Narrative non-fiction, deeply researched and vivid.
- Length: ~150,000 words
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: It’s an eye-opening and powerful account of racial struggles and the pursuit of freedom.
- Difficulty level: High (non-fiction, historical)
- Why read it: It provides a profound understanding of the African American experience and the social history of the U.S.
8. The Book Thief
- Author: Markus Zusak
- About: Set in Nazi Germany, the story follows a young girl who steals books and shares them with others during the horrors of World War II.
- Style of writing: Dark, whimsical, and narrated by Death.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Heartbreaking and memorable, with themes of the power of words and the human spirit.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A unique perspective on WWII with a strong, young female protagonist and a haunting narration.
9. The Night Watchman
- Author: Louise Erdrich
- About: Based on the life of her grandfather, this novel follows a night watchman and tribal council member as he fights against Native American dispossession.
- Style of writing: Rich, layered, and full of historical detail.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: It leaves a strong impact with its exploration of Native American identity and perseverance.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It’s a thought-provoking look at Native American history and the struggles for justice and identity.
10. The Underground Railroad
- Author: Colson Whitehead
- About: A reimagining of the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad, this novel follows a young woman’s escape from slavery.
- Style of writing: Intense, allegorical, and darkly surreal.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Powerful and haunting, it will leave you reflecting on the legacy of slavery and the human desire for freedom.
- Difficulty level: High (intense subject matter)
- Why read it: It’s an extraordinary narrative about freedom, survival, and the harsh realities of slavery in America.
11. The Alice Network
- Author: Kate Quinn
- About: The story intertwines the lives of two women, one a spy during World War I and the other a female operative during World War II, connected by a shared mystery.
- Style of writing: Gripping, historical fiction with suspense and emotional depth.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Leaves a strong impact with its themes of female strength, betrayal, and sacrifice.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A thrilling and emotional historical fiction that highlights women's roles in war and espionage.
12. The Paris Library
- Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
- About: This novel tells the story of a young woman who becomes a librarian at the American Library in Paris during World War II, as she navigates the horrors of war and her personal relationships.
- Style of writing: Heartfelt, descriptive, and nostalgic.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Emotional and moving, especially for book lovers and those interested in World War II history.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: It beautifully weaves together themes of books, friendship, and the power of the human spirit during wartime.
13. The Light We Lost
- Author: Jill Santopolo
- About: This novel follows a woman who has a transformative love affair with a man on 9/11, and the impact it has on their lives years later.
- Style of writing: Emotional, romantic, and reflective.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional, leaving readers reflecting on love, loss, and choices.
- Difficulty level: Easy to medium
- Why read it: A poignant love story that explores fate, loss, and the choices that shape our lives.
14. The Night Circus
- Author: Erin Morgenstern
- About: A magical competition between two illusionists, set in a mysterious, traveling circus that only appears at night.
- Style of writing: Atmospheric, imaginative, and poetic.
- Length: ~120,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Enchanting and immersive, it transports readers to a world of magic and mystery.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A unique and visually stunning story full of magic, mystery, and romance.
15. The Shadow of the Wind
- Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- About: Set in post-World War II Barcelona, this novel follows a young boy who discovers a forgotten book that leads him into a literary mystery.
- Style of writing: Rich, atmospheric, and suspenseful.
- Length: ~140,000 words
- Year written: 2001
- Emotional impact: It leaves a lasting impression with its combination of mystery, romance, and historical depth.
- Difficulty level: Medium to high
- Why read it: A captivating literary thriller that combines mystery with a deep exploration of love and loss.
16. The Silent Patient
- Author: Alex Michaelides
- About: A psychological thriller about a woman who shoots her husband and then refuses to speak, and the psychotherapist who tries to uncover her secrets.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, psychological, and plot-driven.
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: It keeps readers on the edge of their seats and offers a shocking twist.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A gripping psychological thriller that explores obsession, love, and mental illness.
17. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: A fictional biography of a reclusive Hollywood icon, revealing her scandalous life, loves, and secrets.
- Style of writing: Engaging, character-driven, and emotionally rich.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving, with themes of love, regret, and self-identity.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A captivating exploration of fame, love, and the personal sacrifices that come with it.
18. The Midnight Library
- Author: Matt Haig
- About: A woman at the brink of despair enters a library where she can explore alternate versions of her life and the choices she made.
- Style of writing: Thought-provoking, philosophical, and heartwarming.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Inspiring, it makes readers reflect on their own life choices and the value of second chances.
- Difficulty level: Easy to medium
- Why read it: A beautifully written novel about regrets, choices, and the possibility of a new life.
19. The Silent Corner
- Author: Dean Koontz
- About: A former FBI agent investigates a series of mysterious deaths linked to a global conspiracy.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, suspenseful, and action-packed.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Gripping and suspenseful, it keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A thrilling conspiracy novel with a strong, determined protagonist.
20. The Orphan's Tale
- Author: Pam Jenoff
- About: Set during World War II, this story follows a Jewish girl and a German circus performer who form an unlikely bond.
- Style of writing: Emotional, historical, and character-driven.
- Length: ~110,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Heartbreaking, with themes of survival, love, and loss during the war.
- Difficulty level: Medium
- Why read it: A deeply emotional story of love and friendship amid the horrors of war.
