The Story of a Widow

by Musharraf Ali Farooqi | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by blups25 of Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on 4/5/2012
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9 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by blups25 from Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, April 5, 2012
In a neighbourhood in Karachi, Mona, a recently widowed mother of two grown women, is trying to settle into her new life. Things take an unexpected turn when the mysterious Salamat Ali becomes a tenant at her neighbour’s house - and he begins to court the widow. His attentions cause Mona to reconsider her first marriage, and what she wants from her life. An impertinent proposal of marriage throws things considerably further into chaos. As her family swoops in to defend her honour, Mona asserts herself against their ministrations and makes a most unexpected decision.

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I found this book on a book fair in New Delhi (literature from Pakistan is quite popular in India). It sounded nice and it was kind of an impulse buying, even though I was a little sceptic when I saw a quote on the backside saying "If Jane Austen had grown up in a Karachi suburb, this is what she would have written." Well, it's not exactly Austen, but nevertheless, how Farooqi describes the story, in a quiet yet interesting and gripping way, that is indeed a little Austen-like. I enjoyed reading this book very much, and finished it within a few evenings. Mona's life takes quite some turns, and just when you think it's all about emancipation, the story suddenly heads into another direction.

I never read any literature from Pakistan before, I must admit. So this was a nice start to discover a new literary horizon. I will definitely look for Farooqi's other books. And I will do my best to send this one on a long journey.

Journal Entry 2 by blups25 at New Delhi, Delhi India on Thursday, April 5, 2012
This book deserves a lot more readers! So I will send it to Germany (where The Story of a Widow is not available at bookstores) and let it travel as a bookray. The following bookcrossers would like to read it:

1. UbSiA
2. Colombina
3. chesswally
4. ...

Journal Entry 3 by rem_QQD-730725 at Schmallenberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The book arrived savely today - thanks for sending it over.
One other book to be read, then it's this ones turn.

08/07/2012: A really nice little book giving interesting insights in a different culture. This was the first book I read from Pakistan and I must admit that I'm positively surprised.

Thanks for sharing - I hope this book will travel through many more hands and be a pleasure to the following readers!

Read as part of the 1 Year = 1 Country Challenge for Pakistan.

Released 11 yrs ago (7/9/2012 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt / Persönlich weitergegeben --, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This lovely story is ready to continue its journey. The next trip will take it from Schmallenberg to Wuppertal.

Enjoy!

Journal Entry 5 by Colombina at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, July 12, 2012
This book arrived today in Wuppertal, thank you so much! I once knew a guy from Pakistan therefore I am very interested in the literature of his country. In Europe it is sooo difficult to get books from there.
And the candies arrived just when I needed them to bring a little sweetness in an otherwise horrible day ... :-)

Journal Entry 6 by Colombina at Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Sunday, July 22, 2012

I liked this book very much - from the wonderful love story that unfolds like a fairy tale to the deeper story of a woman who struggles to find her way in life after her husband's death. I felt very close to Mona and still feel very touched by her story.
Thank you very much for sharing this little treasure with us, blups25!

Journal Entry 7 by Colombina at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Released 11 yrs ago (7/24/2012 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On the road again. Thanks again for the book ray, this novel deeply impressed me and would have liked to write more about it but it is difficult without revealing too much about the ending ...

Journal Entry 8 by chesswally at Vaihingen (Enz), Baden-Württemberg Germany on Friday, July 27, 2012
The book has arrived here in the South of Germany. Thanks for sending it :-)

I found myself kept to the book during the last days. It impressed me deeply and I thought about both....the similarity of women's needs and dreams all over the world and the diversity of their possibilities and living conditions. I loved reading the book, especially because of the author's ability to express clearly all those deep feelings.

Released 11 yrs ago (11/13/2012 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Baden-Württemberg Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Adventskalender 2012 Türchen Nr.1
Dieses besondere Exemplar bekommst du, weil du gerne Bücher im englischen Original liest und ich denke, dass die Geschichte zu deinen Lesevorlieben passt. Viel Freude damit :-)

Journal Entry 10 by Qantaqa at Dachau, Bayern Germany on Monday, December 3, 2012
Vielen Dank für dieses schöne Buch, das sich hinter dem ersten Türchen versteckte! Hört sich sehr interessant an. Lustiger Zufall: ich konnte es erst gestern öffnen, da ich vorher im Urlaub in Indien war (wo das Buch ja ursprünglich herkommt).

Journal Entry 11 by wingkiki66wing at Gauting, Bayern Germany on Thursday, November 24, 2016
Qantaqa gave me this book - part of her personal dismounting the MTBR campaign ;-)

Sounds interesting so I will read it before sending it on!

Journal Entry 12 by wingkiki66wing at Gauting, Bayern Germany on Tuesday, July 25, 2017
I started to read this book a while ago but I have to admit, once I realized where it's heading I lost interest. Just read the end to confirm my thoughts - which were correct.
I have also admit that I didn't like Salamat Ali at all.. starting with his looks. So I found it difficult to read on..
Will offer this book now in the forums..

Journal Entry 13 by wingkiki66wing at Gauting, Bayern Germany on Monday, July 31, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (7/31/2017 UTC) at Gauting, Bayern Germany

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to Canada - as a RABCK..

Enjoy!

Journal Entry 14 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Thank you kiki66. The book has arrived in great shape. I look forward to reading it.

Updated Oct 15, 2017

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and empathized with Mona. The dynamics of the extended family is very well depicted. The story and the writing flow well and draw in the reader. I am in the habit of reading several books at the same time, and this one definitely held my attention and jumped to the head of the queue each time I decided what to read for that session. The book is a very pleasant read.

Journal Entry 15 by wingmcsarwing at Unusual Countries Sweepstake, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 19, 2017

Released 6 yrs ago (10/24/2017 UTC) at Unusual Countries Sweepstake, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Going to the winner/decoy. I hope you will enjoy this unusual book as much as I did.

Journal Entry 16 by wingsakirmowing at Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Thursday, November 30, 2017
The book has arrived, thank you! And also thanks for the cutest bookplate :)

Journal Entry 17 by wingsakirmowing at on Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Released 5 yrs ago (4/18/2018 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

After 50 pages I'm not convinced this is my kind of a book, but will take it along for a train ride & leave at the airport book swap. I was hoping to bring it to Bordeaux BC-Convention but unfortunately, no space in my luggage for even one book more...

Congratulations, you found a travelling book! Enjoy and later leave it for other people to find. Feel also free to come back here to let us all know what you thought of the book and where you left it :)

Journal Entry 18 by wingAnonymousFinderwing at on Sunday, May 27, 2018
It was an easy read

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