This is a place of mystery...a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.

Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Shadow of the Wind

Dear Reader

Welcome to BookCrossing, especially if it is your first time here. I am really pleased that you found this book. It is a gift from me to you. If you wish you may hold on to it, but I hope that you will pass it on, either to a friend or loved one, or by leaving it to be found again. That way our book will be on an adventurous journey which we can follow as it gets passed along.

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Happy Reading!

Amazon Editorial Review

Fourteen years ago, Samina, blazing beauty and fearless activist, walked out of her house and was never seen again. Aasmaani, frequently abandoned by her mother, still dreams of her glorious return. Fifteen years ago, Samina's closest freind Shehnaz Saeed, darling of the theatre and the small screen, gave up her career for her son Ed. Now he is helping her make a triumphant comeback. Sixteen years ago, the Poet, subversive and brilliant, love of Samina's life, was found mysteriously murdered. In present-day Karachi, Aasmaani receives what could be the longed-for proof that her mother is still alive. As she draws closer to the truth she is irresistibly drawn, too, to Ed, her ally and sparring partner, and the only person who can understand the profound hurt - and the profound love - which drives her.

Kamila Shamsie has become one of my favourite authors. If I see copies of her books languishing in charity shops I always snap them up knowing I will find a loving home for them. This copy is an uncorrected proof. It is on my friend's wishlist and I hope that she will not find too many annoying corrections. There is a nice handwritten note from Kate Bland of Bloomsbury Publishing inside the book. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for this book and all the goodies that came along, shelj7k!!!
Just yesterday I started reading Kamila Shamsie's debut novel, so it's perfect to have another one lined up already...

This is an amazing, powerful novel, written in brilliant, poetic language. An intriguing, complex plot, an intelligent, independent protagonist – who drew me into her world right away. It’s about Pakistani society and politics, about police violence, exile and human rights – and about words, about crosswords, poetry, metaphors and secret codes, about what words do with us… Recommendable.

Chosen
from the South Asian VBB
by Vilda
and
travelling
to Sweden
now.

Arrived safely today. Thank you so much!

It sure took too long for me to get to this one. But finally! I love this novel, as I did with Salt and saffron. Splendid language and good story!