This is more than just a coming-of-age story, and Pakistan’s history – partition, coups, military rule, spells of democracy – is more than just a backdrop of this novel. It’s an interesting portrait of the political history of the country, deeply interwoven with the personal history of three generations of a rather progressive upper-middle-class family in Lahore. Ali Sethi wrote the novel to explain his often misunderstood country to a Western audience – and he did a good job, describing progressive cities (or rather enclaves in the cities) and the conservative, feudal countryside, TV influence and Indian Bollywood movies, private schools and friendships, the different generations and their challenges, all in a rather matter-of-fact style.

Released at the
International Bookcrossing Convention 2018
in Bordeaux.
Or somewhere in town if none of the attendees picked it up.

Yay, another great book from ApoloniaX.

I wasn't planning to pick up such a thick book from the convention, but then I know that Bookgirrl, who really wishes to be here, loves South Asian literature. I will read this and pass it on to her, so she can be part of the convention.

This book is told from the first person perspective, of Zaki, a Pakistani boy who grows up in a family of strong women, from his grandmother to his widowed career mother to his bossy cousin. However, there are also many scenes that feel like they were through an omniscient narrator, not to mention several jumping around in timeline that may not be immediately obvious. As a debut novel it's an admirable effort.

That said I did enjoy the story, which takes us through the recent history of Pakistan. There's not a climax but just a narration of lives as time passes.

PS the author is actually a popular singer songwriter, very talented and much handsomer than Amitabh. : D You should definitely look him up in YouTube and listen to some of his beautiful music.

Will bring it to the Convention. Bookgirrl, if you are not interested this, feel free to release it however you like.