As I was reading this, I had a nagging and consistent feeling of deja vu. I realized about halfway through the book that I had read this before (obviously prior to my Goodreads days where I keep track of my reads pretty obsessively). I enjoyed reading this book although it started to get rather intense during the last third of it. I found Haji's need to address a significant current event in history (trying to prevent spoilers) as a little forced and almost cliche. This was a story of a girl who uncovered many family stories during her life- it follows her from early adolescence to adulthood and has some interesting (and weird, even) twists that I wasn't expecting. I love reading books with South Asian settings that I can relate to because of my upbringing and any novel that is about the struggle with one's identity and coming of age I know I'll enjoy. It was a good read, though one time is probably enough. This is a well-written novel about Saira Qader, a Pakistani girl growing up in America, struggling to find a balance between her own independent personality and the value-system set by her family. It is also about her discovering truths about her extended family on both maternal and paterrnal sides as she journeys to England and then to Pakistan to attend her cousin's wedding and also to meet her grandmother figure Big Nanima. As the novel proceeds, Saira's character matures and she realizes what is 'written on her forehead', cannot be escaped. While I thought parts that were less relevant to the main plot were too detailed, and others that were central were skimmed over too quickly, I really enjoyed the book overall. The story was excellent, as were characterizations of Saira, her mother and her Big Nanima. I would have liked to know more about her sister Amina, and maybe less about her England cousins. I enjoyed reading the paternal grandfather's letters, as well as the intellectual communication between Saira and her love interest, Majid Khan. I also greatly admire Nafisa Haji's skill in terms of maintaiining flow while going back and forth between different times and generations. I really enjoyed how a book which starts off in such a light manner buzzing with wedding bells and the gossip of meddlesome relatives takes such a serious turn during it's last quarter, leaving the reader both surprised and touched.
What do You think about Molitva Moje Majke (2009)?
Best book I've read in quite a while. I loved it, and was sad to see it end.
—Ellie
Another great book by the author of "The sweetness of Tears"!
—mihari
