Character List
Mariam
Mariam is the result of an extramarital affair between Nana and Jalil Khan. For the first fifteen years of her life, Mariam lives under Nana’s care. The two of them live in a small hut on the outskirts of Herat. Nana’s verbal and emotional abuse lead Mariam to develop a docile personality. Mariam grows up believing that she is unworthy of love because of her plain looks and status as a harami, an illegitimate child. She prefers Jalil’s company over Nana’s and does not feel as if Nana truly loves her. When Nana insists that Jalil does not care about them, Mariam refuses to listen. Nana’s reclusive lifestyle leaves her daughter naïve and prevents Mariam from forming friendships with other children. Mullah Faizullah, an elderly Koran teacher, is Mariam’s only friend. Under his tutelage, Mariam discovers a love for the Koran. She finds comfort in its words. On her fifteenth birthday, Mariam finally grows sick of Nana’s abuse and goes to visit her father at his home. She believes that Jalil loves and views her as a legitimate daughter. She is heartbroken when he refuses to welcome her into his home. She returns home with the realization that Nana was right about Jalil, only to discover that her mother has hanged herself. Mariam spends the rest of her life plagued with guilt over her mother’s suicide.
Alone and unable to survive on her own, Mariam cuts off ties with her father and reluctantly marries the middle-aged Rasheed. After years of being let down by others, she hopes that her marriage to Rasheed will bring her the love and happiness that she desires. After becoming pregnant, Mariam becomes thrilled at the prospect of being a mother and of having someone who will love her. Unfortunately, she miscarries her first child and the subsequent ones. Mariam’s infertility strains her marriage and Rasheed grows increasingly violent towards her. She silently endures years of abuse from her husband, aware that she has no other choice than to stay with him. When Rasheed takes Laila on as a second wife, Mariam becomes envious of the younger woman, especially after discovering that Laila is pregnant. Mariam warms up to the younger woman after Laila defends her against Rasheed. Mariam comes to view Laila as a daughter and a friend. She forms a close bond with Laila’s daughter Aziza. After Rasheed tries to strangle Laila, Mariam kills him with a shovel. Mariam turns herself in to the Taliban so that Laila, Tariq, Aziza, and Laila's son Zalmai can flee Afghanistan. The Taliban execute Mariam, but she dies in peace with the knowledge that she has finally found a family that loves her.
Laila
Laila is the daughter of Fariba and Hakim. She is a pretty girl with a good chance of a bright future. Her father, a former teacher and intellectual, makes sure that she receives a good education. He teaches her school subjects and tells her that women are just as important as men. Laila’s mother is not as attentive to her daughter. The presence of Laila's older brothers overshadows her in her mother’s eyes even after they leave to fight in the war. Laila falls in love with her childhood friend, Tariq and ends up pregnant with his child before he leaves for Pakistan. After her parents die in an attack, she stays with Rasheed and Mariam. Rasheed tricks Laila into believing that Tariq is dead. She accepts Rasheed’s marriage proposal in order to ensure the safety of her unborn child. Laila’s upbringing clashes with Rasheed’s; she defends herself and Mariam against him and frequently disobeys his orders. She loves her daughter Aziza and son Zalmai equally. After Laila reunites with Tariq, Rasheed attempts to kill her. Mariam saves Laila by killing Rasheed. Laila is devastated when she realizes that Mariam plans to turn herself in to the Taliban in order to allow Laila to escape with Tariq, Aziza, and Zalmai. Laila, her children, and Tariq live in Pakistan for some time, but eventually return to Afghanistan. She wants to see Afghanistan return to its former glory. She takes on a job as a teacher at an orphanage and becomes pregnant with Tariq’s second child. She plans to name her Mariam in honor of her late friend.
Rasheed
Rasheed is a middle-aged shoemaker whose wife dies during childbirth. Years later, his son drowns in a lake. He marries Mariam after her mother commits suicide. Rasheed initially acts patient, if not a bit brusque with Mariam. He begins to show his true colors after they marry. Rasheed is a hypocritical, misogynistic, and ill-tempered man. He disapproves of intellectuals and progressive thinking. He is emotionally and physically abusive towards Mariam. He wants Mariam to provide him with a son and becomes physically abusive towards her when she fails to carry their first child to term. He becomes increasingly violent with each subsequent miscarriage. After several years of marriage to Mariam, Rasheed notices Laila and makes it his mission to marry her. He allows her to stay in his house after her parents die and lies about being friends with Laila’s father. He goes so far as to hire someone to tell Laila that Tariq has died. Rasheed treats her well until she gives birth to Aziza. Rasheed quickly becomes aware that Aziza is not his daughter and uses this knowledge to keep Laila obedient. Rasheed becomes abusive towards Laila after she defends herself and Mariam against him. The only family member that Rasheed treats well is his and Laila’s son, Zalmai. Rasheed spoils the boy while neglecting Aziza. After he finds out that Laila reunited with Tariq, Rasheed attempts to strangle her. He dies when Mariam attacks him with a shovel.
Tariq
Tariq is the childhood sweetheart of Laila. As a young boy, Tariq loses one of his legs in a landmine explosion. As the violence in Afghanistan increases, Tariq and his family make the decision to move to Pakistan. He unknowingly impregnates Laila and leaves her behind in Afghanistan. He and his parents live in a refugee camp for some time before his father dies. In an attempt to make money, Tariq agrees to smuggle rashish for another man. Police officers catch and arrest him. Tariq spends time in prison before the judge releases him. The judge helps Tariq find a job as a hotel janitor in Pakistan. Tariq accepts the job and returns to Afghanistan for Laila, only to find her married to Rasheed. After Mariam kills Rasheed, Tariq takes Laila and her children with him to Pakistan. He proves to be a loving father to both Aziza and Zalmai. They all live happily in Pakistan before moving back to Afghanistan.
Nana
Nana is Mariam’s verbally and emotionally abusive mother. She is an unkempt woman who does not take care of herself; as a result, she has a gaunt appearance, ill-fitting clothing, and rotten teeth. In her youth, Nana nearly marries a boy she loves, but he and his family leave her after they discover she has epilepsy. Later in life, Nana becomes a housekeeper for Jalil. She and Jalil start an affair that ends when Nana becomes pregnant with his child. Jalil kicks her out of his home and tells his wives that she forced himself on him. Nana’s experiences with abandonment and blame leave her cynical and bitter. She teaches her daughter about the hardships that women in their society face. Nana takes out her frustrations on Mariam by frequently belittling and berating her. She mocks Mariam’s appearance and status as a harami. Mariam is Nana’s only companion. In order to prevent her daughter from ever leaving her, Nana frequently tells Mariam that no one will ever love an ugly harami. Nana’s insensitivity drives a wedge between her daughter and herself. After Mariam leaves to visit Jalil at his home, Nana hangs herself. Nana’s death leaves a lasting impact on Mariam.
Jalil Khan
Jalil Khan is Mariam’s irresponsible father. He and Nana begin an affair that lasts until she becomes pregnant. Jalil pins the blame for the affair on Nana and kicks her out of his home in order to save face. He cares more about his reputation than he does about Mariam. Jalil breaks his promise to take her to the cinema and refuses to welcome her into his home. He allows Mariam to stay with him after Nana dies, but tries to find somewhere else for his daughter to live. Jalil’s three wives arrange a wedding for Mariam and Rasheed. After the wedding, Mariam cuts off ties with him. He spends years regretting the way he treated Mariam. Later in life, Jalil becomes sick with a weak heart and attempts to reconcile with Mariam. She rejects him and he dies without having had the chance to apologize for his negligence as a father.
Mariam
Mariam is the result of an extramarital affair between Nana and Jalil Khan. For the first fifteen years of her life, Mariam lives under Nana’s care. The two of them live in a small hut on the outskirts of Herat. Nana’s verbal and emotional abuse lead Mariam to develop a docile personality. Mariam grows up believing that she is unworthy of love because of her plain looks and status as a harami, an illegitimate child. She prefers Jalil’s company over Nana’s and does not feel as if Nana truly loves her. When Nana insists that Jalil does not care about them, Mariam refuses to listen. Nana’s reclusive lifestyle leaves her daughter naïve and prevents Mariam from forming friendships with other children. Mullah Faizullah, an elderly Koran teacher, is Mariam’s only friend. Under his tutelage, Mariam discovers a love for the Koran. She finds comfort in its words. On her fifteenth birthday, Mariam finally grows sick of Nana’s abuse and goes to visit her father at his home. She believes that Jalil loves and views her as a legitimate daughter. She is heartbroken when he refuses to welcome her into his home. She returns home with the realization that Nana was right about Jalil, only to discover that her mother has hanged herself. Mariam spends the rest of her life plagued with guilt over her mother’s suicide.
Alone and unable to survive on her own, Mariam cuts off ties with her father and reluctantly marries the middle-aged Rasheed. After years of being let down by others, she hopes that her marriage to Rasheed will bring her the love and happiness that she desires. After becoming pregnant, Mariam becomes thrilled at the prospect of being a mother and of having someone who will love her. Unfortunately, she miscarries her first child and the subsequent ones. Mariam’s infertility strains her marriage and Rasheed grows increasingly violent towards her. She silently endures years of abuse from her husband, aware that she has no other choice than to stay with him. When Rasheed takes Laila on as a second wife, Mariam becomes envious of the younger woman, especially after discovering that Laila is pregnant. Mariam warms up to the younger woman after Laila defends her against Rasheed. Mariam comes to view Laila as a daughter and a friend. She forms a close bond with Laila’s daughter Aziza. After Rasheed tries to strangle Laila, Mariam kills him with a shovel. Mariam turns herself in to the Taliban so that Laila, Tariq, Aziza, and Laila's son Zalmai can flee Afghanistan. The Taliban execute Mariam, but she dies in peace with the knowledge that she has finally found a family that loves her.
Laila
Laila is the daughter of Fariba and Hakim. She is a pretty girl with a good chance of a bright future. Her father, a former teacher and intellectual, makes sure that she receives a good education. He teaches her school subjects and tells her that women are just as important as men. Laila’s mother is not as attentive to her daughter. The presence of Laila's older brothers overshadows her in her mother’s eyes even after they leave to fight in the war. Laila falls in love with her childhood friend, Tariq and ends up pregnant with his child before he leaves for Pakistan. After her parents die in an attack, she stays with Rasheed and Mariam. Rasheed tricks Laila into believing that Tariq is dead. She accepts Rasheed’s marriage proposal in order to ensure the safety of her unborn child. Laila’s upbringing clashes with Rasheed’s; she defends herself and Mariam against him and frequently disobeys his orders. She loves her daughter Aziza and son Zalmai equally. After Laila reunites with Tariq, Rasheed attempts to kill her. Mariam saves Laila by killing Rasheed. Laila is devastated when she realizes that Mariam plans to turn herself in to the Taliban in order to allow Laila to escape with Tariq, Aziza, and Zalmai. Laila, her children, and Tariq live in Pakistan for some time, but eventually return to Afghanistan. She wants to see Afghanistan return to its former glory. She takes on a job as a teacher at an orphanage and becomes pregnant with Tariq’s second child. She plans to name her Mariam in honor of her late friend.
Rasheed
Rasheed is a middle-aged shoemaker whose wife dies during childbirth. Years later, his son drowns in a lake. He marries Mariam after her mother commits suicide. Rasheed initially acts patient, if not a bit brusque with Mariam. He begins to show his true colors after they marry. Rasheed is a hypocritical, misogynistic, and ill-tempered man. He disapproves of intellectuals and progressive thinking. He is emotionally and physically abusive towards Mariam. He wants Mariam to provide him with a son and becomes physically abusive towards her when she fails to carry their first child to term. He becomes increasingly violent with each subsequent miscarriage. After several years of marriage to Mariam, Rasheed notices Laila and makes it his mission to marry her. He allows her to stay in his house after her parents die and lies about being friends with Laila’s father. He goes so far as to hire someone to tell Laila that Tariq has died. Rasheed treats her well until she gives birth to Aziza. Rasheed quickly becomes aware that Aziza is not his daughter and uses this knowledge to keep Laila obedient. Rasheed becomes abusive towards Laila after she defends herself and Mariam against him. The only family member that Rasheed treats well is his and Laila’s son, Zalmai. Rasheed spoils the boy while neglecting Aziza. After he finds out that Laila reunited with Tariq, Rasheed attempts to strangle her. He dies when Mariam attacks him with a shovel.
Tariq
Tariq is the childhood sweetheart of Laila. As a young boy, Tariq loses one of his legs in a landmine explosion. As the violence in Afghanistan increases, Tariq and his family make the decision to move to Pakistan. He unknowingly impregnates Laila and leaves her behind in Afghanistan. He and his parents live in a refugee camp for some time before his father dies. In an attempt to make money, Tariq agrees to smuggle rashish for another man. Police officers catch and arrest him. Tariq spends time in prison before the judge releases him. The judge helps Tariq find a job as a hotel janitor in Pakistan. Tariq accepts the job and returns to Afghanistan for Laila, only to find her married to Rasheed. After Mariam kills Rasheed, Tariq takes Laila and her children with him to Pakistan. He proves to be a loving father to both Aziza and Zalmai. They all live happily in Pakistan before moving back to Afghanistan.
Nana
Nana is Mariam’s verbally and emotionally abusive mother. She is an unkempt woman who does not take care of herself; as a result, she has a gaunt appearance, ill-fitting clothing, and rotten teeth. In her youth, Nana nearly marries a boy she loves, but he and his family leave her after they discover she has epilepsy. Later in life, Nana becomes a housekeeper for Jalil. She and Jalil start an affair that ends when Nana becomes pregnant with his child. Jalil kicks her out of his home and tells his wives that she forced himself on him. Nana’s experiences with abandonment and blame leave her cynical and bitter. She teaches her daughter about the hardships that women in their society face. Nana takes out her frustrations on Mariam by frequently belittling and berating her. She mocks Mariam’s appearance and status as a harami. Mariam is Nana’s only companion. In order to prevent her daughter from ever leaving her, Nana frequently tells Mariam that no one will ever love an ugly harami. Nana’s insensitivity drives a wedge between her daughter and herself. After Mariam leaves to visit Jalil at his home, Nana hangs herself. Nana’s death leaves a lasting impact on Mariam.
Jalil Khan
Jalil Khan is Mariam’s irresponsible father. He and Nana begin an affair that lasts until she becomes pregnant. Jalil pins the blame for the affair on Nana and kicks her out of his home in order to save face. He cares more about his reputation than he does about Mariam. Jalil breaks his promise to take her to the cinema and refuses to welcome her into his home. He allows Mariam to stay with him after Nana dies, but tries to find somewhere else for his daughter to live. Jalil’s three wives arrange a wedding for Mariam and Rasheed. After the wedding, Mariam cuts off ties with him. He spends years regretting the way he treated Mariam. Later in life, Jalil becomes sick with a weak heart and attempts to reconcile with Mariam. She rejects him and he dies without having had the chance to apologize for his negligence as a father.