The warlords took part in atrocities during the civil war in Afghanistan. They looted, they raped, they killed. They have become incredibly empowered and entrenched. They live in mansions, they have jobs in the government, and they're incredibly powerful. In Kabul, people don't want to speak about it too publicly, because these people are essentially like Tony Soprano.

Beauty is an enormous, unmerited gift given randomly, stupidly.

All my life, I'd been around men. That night, I discovered the tenderness of a woman.

We [in The Khaled Hosseini Foundation] support and fund projects that bring jobs, healthcare, and education to women and children. In addition, we award scholarships to women pursuing higher education in Afghanistan.

If there's a God out there, then i would hope he has more important things to attend to than my drinking scotch or eating pork.

I'm gladly doing my own thing for the time being.

Tariq tucked the gun into the waist of his denims. Then he said a thing both lovely and terrible. "For you," he said. "I'd kill with it for you, Laila.