The Black-Marketer's Daughter

This was another book where I didn’t know what this was about when I requested it, I just thought the title was interesting. This was definitely not for the faintest of hearts, there is a trigger warning of domestic violence which I didn’t see until right now. I think Zuleikha is a strong woman and didn’t deserve to go through what happened to her. Her story hurt my heart. I’m happy with her decision towards the end although I thought the story ended abruptly.
I finished this book in one sitting.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

The first part has made me so engrossed into the story, and I just read it continuously without any knowledge of what is happening around me. After I finished the first part of the story, I wanted to straight away jump into the second part. I can't wait to know what is the ending. And I was surprised that this is the author's debut novel because the storytelling and the writing are so compelling and convincing.

The current ending was quite random and irrelevant to me. I mean I can't see the point of having it, but of course, that is just me. Maybe there is a purpose of telling the readers what is next for Zuleikha. Other than that (more like personal opinion), I felt the entire story is very enthralling. It also involves various angles in viewing Zuleikha's marriage. She has different view about their marriage than her husband, Iskander. And the consequences of her action also triggers different opinions from an imam (religious point of view), a prosecutor (legal perspective) and a domestic violence advocate (moral standpoint). I love and respect Zuleikha's decision and I think I will do the same too if I were her. Her decision also sums up that whatever advice was given to her by any outsiders, she is the only one that knows what is best for her and her son. After all, she is the key person in that entire situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This beautifully written novel imagines the life of Zuleikha, a Pakistani pianist who comes to America for an arranged marriage that falls apart over five or six years. When the novel begins, Zuleikha and her new husband, Iskander, are shopping for wedding gifts—a car and a piano—near their home in Irving, Texas. Zuleikha is happy to finally be getting the car and piano, but to say she is happy in her new marriage wouldn’t be quite right. Iskander often smirks when Zuleikha shares her thoughts with him, and he only manages to call her piano-playing “interesting.” When he shocks her one evening by calling her playing “stunning,” they conceive their first child, Wasim.

Three years pass. Zuleikha begins giving piano lessons to a dozen or so students while Iskander works and Wasim is at daycare. Her life is fairly monotonous until one day she accompanies Wasim to a birthday party, and the birthday boy’s father, an unhappily married man named Patrick, asks for piano lessons. After a few weeks of lessons, Zuleikha and Patrick become lovers. Their affair goes on until one night at dinner Wasim declares that “Jamieson’s daddy likes to kiss Mamajaan.” Not surprisingly, Iskander is furious. Later that night Zuleikha is rushed to the hospital and Iskander is charged with a heinous crime. The incident becomes a news story and Zuleikha’s fate falls into the hands of an aggressive district attorney who seems to have an anti-Muslim agenda.

I suspect that if there has been resistance to publishing this novel it has at least something to do with the ending. The writing is lovely throughout and Mallick has done a heroic job portraying a woman caught between traditional Pakistani and modern, Western values. I was really taken with Zuleikha’s character—her background as a classical pianist and how she learns about love from contraband American movies, novels, and music that her father sold on the black market. The end of this novel, however, is unsatisfying. Zuleikha leaves Texas with her son to attend a brief music conference in New Mexico. She has let Iskander know she wants a divorce and won’t stand in the way of him seeing Wasim, but it’s unclear what her new life will look like or how she will survive as a single mom. We also don’t know what will happen to Iskander, nor how Zuleikha’s family will react to the mess. I really wished for more resolution since this is a complicated, sensitive story about how Muslim women are treated when victims of domestic violence.

For a debut novel, Suman Mallick has chosen a tough subject and succeeds where many have failed, With empathy for women that suffer domestic violence and a complete understanding of the legal procedures a gripping and rewarding storey evolves.
With different groups either religious or legal that became involved in the drama with their own agendas add to a complex and most enjoyable read and highly recommended.
This is an independent review for NetGalley / Atmosphere Press.

For such a short novel, Suman Mallick's Black-Marketer's Daughter is extremely complex.
This fast paced page-turner mixes culture, religion, the legal system and victim's rights into a gripping story.
The highly emotional content may be too overwhelming for some readers. However, I found it to be a compelling and well written read.
Overall, it is an original and praiseworthy debut novel that I recommend - with caution of graphic domestic violence triggers.
*Thank you NetGalley, Atmosphere Press and Suman Mallick for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“And she can never figure out who she is cheating. Is it Iskander, the man she has decided she can only be grateful to? Or is it the man who loves her to distraction and makes her feel so happy… 

But what about cheating herself?” 

Zuleikha left her home in Pakistan to live in Irving, Texas, joining her new husband Iskander, a Pakistani American. Her father saw to it that her marriage contract would include that she was to be given certain amenities, such as a car and a piano, and Iskander saw to it that she received those things. She loved the instrument and even found a job teaching piano and Iskander encouraged it. She even gave birth to a son, whom she loved and with whom Iskander was totally involved. 

So why was she unhappy and wanting more?

Years ago, her father sold banned American movies and books on the black market to pay for her education and wedding dowry. He didn’t mind when Zuleikha snuck one of these DVDs or books into her bag to watch. Even though she realized that Hollywood was not the real world, this exposed her to a broader way of life. 

Now, still having connections with the Muslim community in Texas, she becomes part of a scandal and must make important decisions. 

The Black-Marketer’s Daughter is an intricately crafted, plot-driven story, which is well-written and fast-moving. It is narrated from the third person, which gives it objectivity. The author was fair to each character, careful not to villainize anyone. I appreciate how difficult that can be for a writer. That is what I particularly enjoyed about the book. It is realistic, as life can be messy. 

If readers enjoy novels that explore life the way it is, with shades of gray, this is the book for you. Highly recommended!
(This review will be posted on UnderratedReads on Sept. 10. 2020)

Thank you to the author, Atmosphere Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This debut novel is short but complex, and tackles a difficult subject. It's well-written, simple on the surface, revealing depth as it progresses, and it packs a punch. The tone is empathetic, without coddling - you sense the protagonist's hesitation, disappointment and the agonizing choices she faces. The ending is quite abrupt, and I wish parts of the story had been more elaborated upon, but all in all I look forward to reading more from this author.

Very impressive debut! Kudos to Suman Mallick!

This is a quick, bold book that manages to have your heart go out to many of the characters. Honestly, the ending was a bit abrupt...but I didn't mind because it left the future of these characters up to my imagination and the "good ending" I hope befalls them all.

I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author. Anyone who puts "braggadocious" and references to the movie "Frances Ha" has me hooked. I didn't expect the complex feelings toward multiple characters in just 166 pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

this was a really unique read the characters were great and I really enjoyed that it wasn't the typical book that I read.

Wow,what a story! I have seen what happens when a Muslim is a wife or daughter and doesn't do what her husband or father tells her and brings shame but to actually read about it! Suman Mallick writes a story about behaviour as a wife in a arranged marriage and how her life is in America! Full of suspense, history and drama of this woman's life and as she tries to please but what about her feelings and falling in love for the first time and it's not her husband. Follow this life and love and see what happens to this forbidden love, the tradition and religion. This writer makes you feel as if you are watching the events happen before your very eyes.Fantastic writing,the descriptions and characters you will do know before thus story is over with. You can tell that research went into the writing of this story! I had a hard time at first trying to understand all about the religion but you will. Received from Net Gallery and it is a must read book! Get some tissues!!

This was a beautiful and well written story. I see how the author has won awards. It was masterfully written and very enjoyable. I also noticed several things while reading it. Like Christianity, some men use the book they believe in order to control and bully women. Also it was refreshing and kind of a shock how well the woman's perspective and story was told, although this book was written by a man. Although it ended differently than I expected, I understand why it ended the way it did. Some parts of the story, especially the end will be staying with me for a while. Wonderful Job