The Inside City

Ambitious and unusual. Although I was on occasion confused -- with a writing style that does not make concessions -- I found this easy to devour. 

Political events -- Gandhi, Amritsar, partition -- are the backdrop for a story more about society perhaps, as seen in one family and the swirl of people around it. A mother who eats her young. Awais, who is too black, dreamy mapper of the Inside City of Lahore, avoids getting entirely eaten and helps his sister Maryam, a maths genius (I'd like to think she was named for Maryam Mirzakhani, 1977-2017, first woman to win the Fields Medal in mathematics). The plot does not indulge us with outcomes we'd desire, but at risk of a spoiler, I was highly glad that there IS an escape at the end. 

Fascinating historical fiction.

Set in 1930’s Lahore, with the odd jump back to 1919, this is the story of Awais. A boy who survived influenza but was left a little sickly. But before his birth a Pir (holy man) told his mother Amrau, that he was destined for greatness and he would save a life…..Amrau was told to change her name to Khurshid…

His father Dar, wasn’t so sure.

But then Awais find the lost 13th gate of Lahore….is the prophecy coming true?

Don’t expect a simple tale, this is about life in turbulent times, about the love of family, political and brutal upheaval and ultimately hope. Beautiful language and imagery by Anita Mir….a treasure of writing and will stay with me for a long while……

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for a free copy of the ebook  in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.