I had been eagerly anticipating reading this book having seen glowing reviews for the author’s other books.
It tells the story of two friends, Maryam and Zahra, in two parts, as teenagers in Karachi in the late 1980’s and forty years later, in London.
I found aspects of both parts interesting, particularly the historical details about Pakistan’s first female democratically elected leader Benazir Bhutto, and the latter part focusing on modern politics and processes. That said, I found the whole book took me much longer to read than my usual, few days or a week at most. I didn’t feel compelled to pick it up and I was left disappointed by the ending. On a personal structural level I prefer fairly short chapters and these were large chunks of writing which may have caused my lack of flow.
Overall the book may appeal to readers who enjoy books about friendship, history, politics and identity.
It tells the story of two friends, Maryam and Zahra, in two parts, as teenagers in Karachi in the late 1980’s and forty years later, in London.
I found aspects of both parts interesting, particularly the historical details about Pakistan’s first female democratically elected leader Benazir Bhutto, and the latter part focusing on modern politics and processes. That said, I found the whole book took me much longer to read than my usual, few days or a week at most. I didn’t feel compelled to pick it up and I was left disappointed by the ending. On a personal structural level I prefer fairly short chapters and these were large chunks of writing which may have caused my lack of flow.
Overall the book may appeal to readers who enjoy books about friendship, history, politics and identity.