A Thousand Splendid Suns
Mariam is forced to marry the abusive Rasheed after her mother’s death. Years later, Rasheed brings home Laila, whose parents have been killed; he lies that her fiancé Tariq is dead and marries her. The women grow close, but after Rasheed attempts to strangle Laila, Mariam kills him and remains behind to face execution so Laila can escape with Tariq and her children.