Maps for Lost Lovers by Nadeem Aslam From Publishers Weekly
In this poignant, lushly written novel, Aslam (Season of the Rainbirds) explores the interwoven lives of Pakistani immigrants in an English town they have rechristened Dasht-e-Tanhaii, "the Wilderness of Solitude" or "the Desert of Loneliness." The disappearance of Jugnu and Chanda, lovers who broke Islamic law to live in sin, throws the small community into upheaval. The police arrest Chanda's brothers, whom they believe murdered the couple to avenge their family's shame. Meanwhile, Jugnu's brother, Shamas, contemplates the loss, occasionally clashing with his wife, Kaukab, a devout Muslim who overtly disapproved of the relationship. Aslam depicts an insular ex-pat Pakistani community fighting to preserve its cultural heritage and losing the battle to its Western-born children—often quite violently. At the heart of the turmoil is sexual freedom, and Aslam illustrates the many ways women's lives are restricted and romantic love is denied in the name of religion.
In this poignant, lushly written novel, Aslam (Season of the Rainbirds) explores the interwoven lives of Pakistani immigrants in an English town they have rechristened Dasht-e-Tanhaii, "the Wilderness of Solitude" or "the Desert of Loneliness." The disappearance of Jugnu and Chanda, lovers who broke Islamic law to live in sin, throws the small community into upheaval. The police arrest Chanda's brothers, whom they believe murdered the couple to avenge their family's shame. Meanwhile, Jugnu's brother, Shamas, contemplates the loss, occasionally clashing with his wife, Kaukab, a devout Muslim who overtly disapproved of the relationship. Aslam depicts an insular ex-pat Pakistani community fighting to preserve its cultural heritage and losing the battle to its Western-born children—often quite violently. At the heart of the turmoil is sexual freedom, and Aslam illustrates the many ways women's lives are restricted and romantic love is denied in the name of religion.
you always manage to find books that I have never heard of. Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of this on my shelf for some time and keep meaning to read it. A description like "poignant, lushly written" is bound to make me pick up a book.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, this looks good. Another powerful blurb!
ReplyDeleteYou don't half pick 'em!
Nice one.
Sounds intriguing. Love the title of your blog!
ReplyDeleteand You have an award waiting on my page http://cc-chronicles.blogspot.com
I read this one a couple of years back. From what I remember, it was a little on the long side, but beautifully written and sad.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you think!
It sounds like a beautiful love story...great find!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI never heard of this one, but it sounds like a wonderful read; thanks so much
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read. Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing story, troubling and sad but also inspring.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about it.
Sounds like a really good book. Am definitely gonna check this out.
ReplyDeleteWow, I want to read this one. Thanks, Gautami.
ReplyDeletethere is an award for you at Splashed and Lovely
ReplyDeleteIt's been a few years since I read Maps for Lost Lovers but I loved it and still vividly remember some beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteBTW you've been awarded!
I think this looks really good! Thanks for posting. I will keep my eyes open for this.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Maps for Lost Lovers when I read it for my Contemporary British Lit class. I reviewed it HERE
ReplyDeleteMy Belated Friday Finds can be found HERE
Wow, great find! I really like the sound of this one =)
ReplyDeleteThe title grabbed me immediately. Great find.
ReplyDelete