 Laila, born a generation later, is comparatively privileged during her youth until their lives intersect and she is also forced to accept a marriage proposal from Rasheed, Mariam's husband.Hosseini has remarked that he regards the novel as a "mother-daughter story" in contrast to "The Kite Runner", which he considers a "father-son story".It continues some of the themes used in his previous work, such as the familial aspects, but focuses primarily on female characters and their roles in Afghan society.