talented > good

Good writers know the technicalities--spelling of words, grammar, story structure-- of their craft but the talented wordsmiths, aside from being good, can provoke strong emotions, create vivid images, and  commit lessons sans being preachy. And author Khaled Husseini belongs to the gifted group.

His novels (that I've read), the Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns never fail to put their readers to a whirlwind experience every time a page is flipped.

I've just recently finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns (in almost one seating, the novel is 'unputdownable') hence this post and rave on how talented of a writer Husseini is.

A barrow from the Goodreads' story plot line:

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile events of Afghanistan's last thirty years, from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post-Taliban rebuilding, that puts the violence, fear, hope and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale of two generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic sweep of war, where personal lives, the struggle to survive, raise a family, find happiness, are inextricable from the history playing out around them.Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of family and friendship. It is a striking, heartwrenching novel of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love, a stunning accomplishment.

My Goodreads' Review:

Hosseini has yet again proven his cunning talent of storytelling. A Thousand Splendid Suns is gripping, poignant, exquisite. Hosseini is a talented writer who never fails to take his readers to the story's setting and feel for the characters' emotions-- grief, love, burden, happiness, sorrow-- and experiences as if it were their own. A barrow from Chicago Sun Time's review, "we are convinced that the characters and their dilemmas are original." This is a must-read. This second novel is as good if not better than the Kite Runner. Now, who isn't excited for his recently published third novel?

His third novel by the way, And the Mountains Echoed has also been receiving great reviews.

The clash between being a good versus a talented writer does not only challenges the novelists but I think, it also applies to any word weavers, journalists, bloggers, PR writers-- to come up with a narration (nonfiction/fiction) that can withstand the test of time, reap the heart, and arouse various feelings.