bias and traditions opposed to innovation and foreignness
A straight-forward idea gradually looks more and more complicated as we look at it in greater depth. The way Ayisha Malik explores bias and traditions as opposed to innovation and foreignness is excellent. Some of the characters, particularly the aunties, spring to life.
Why only 3 stars? I think the hand of a skillful editor is lacking. Characters walk back into the narrative after being absent for 80 pages and just the name may not be sufficient to place them in terms of role, age and relationships. Characters suddenly speak up when you hadn't been aware they were in the room, causing a moment of unbalance and adjustment as you need to review all the previous dialogue they were, presumably, present for. Such moments are very disrupting and bounce the reader out of the story.
Why only 3 stars? I think the hand of a skillful editor is lacking. Characters walk back into the narrative after being absent for 80 pages and just the name may not be sufficient to place them in terms of role, age and relationships. Characters suddenly speak up when you hadn't been aware they were in the room, causing a moment of unbalance and adjustment as you need to review all the previous dialogue they were, presumably, present for. Such moments are very disrupting and bounce the reader out of the story.