We start out in Karachi in the 1980s as fourteen year old best friends Zahra Ali and Maryam Khan return to school after the summer holidays. They are an unlikely pair in many ways, including academically and their social status. Maryam's path in life seems paved out before her, as she is the chosen heir to a family business empire. Zahra is a bright and promising student who hopes that her academic prowess will help land her a place at a British or American university.
As Pakistan's dictator, General Zia is killed, and political revolution comes about bringing Benazir Bhutto into power; the girls attend a party at which a decision is made which will change their futures irreparably.
Fast forward to London in 2019, where both women now live. They are still friends, and are both incredibly successful in their chosen careers. Here the story becomes quite political (and for my mind, heavy going), but this is due to their jobs and is necessary for the storylines threading through the book.
Essentially this is a story about friendship, and all the baggage that goes with it, with some political issues thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed the earlier part of the book, based in Karachi - it was an enjoyable read; but I found parts of the latter part of the book quite heavy going.
As Pakistan's dictator, General Zia is killed, and political revolution comes about bringing Benazir Bhutto into power; the girls attend a party at which a decision is made which will change their futures irreparably.
Fast forward to London in 2019, where both women now live. They are still friends, and are both incredibly successful in their chosen careers. Here the story becomes quite political (and for my mind, heavy going), but this is due to their jobs and is necessary for the storylines threading through the book.
Essentially this is a story about friendship, and all the baggage that goes with it, with some political issues thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed the earlier part of the book, based in Karachi - it was an enjoyable read; but I found parts of the latter part of the book quite heavy going.