The Black-Marketer's Daughter
by Suman Mallick
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Pub Date 13 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 15 Dec 2020
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Description
When a Muslim woman in an arranged marriage is discovered having an illicit affair with an American man, violent, fatal consequences ensue, catapulting her into the epicenter of a political firestorm fueled by anti-Muslim hysteria.
"A gorgeously written book with a protagonist I'll never forget."
—Lily Brooks-Dalton, author of Good Morning, Midnight- Now a Major Motion Picture: The Midnight Sky
Zuleikha arrives in Texas via arranged marriage from Pakistan, and soon realizes how different life in America is from the portrayals in the confiscated contraband books and movies her father trafficked in to pay for her education and dowry. Having trained as a pianist without ever owning a real piano, she finally has one—a wedding present from her husband. As Zuleikha learns to navigate her new role as suburban middle-class housewife, she begins to feel diminished by her seemingly kind husband’s regular dismissal. She offers piano lessons to the neighborhood kids, and in doing so begins to find her identity and independence.
Everything changes when Patrick—the father of her young son’s friend—signs up for lessons himself. Zuleihka and Patrick grow closer, and Zuleihka finds herself in love for the first time. Zuleihka is caught between being a good Muslim wife and obedient daughter, and following her heart.
Despite how careful she is, the affair is eventually discovered, and leads to horrific violence with gruesome and fatal consequences. The ensuing circumstances catapult Zuleihka into the glare of the public eye in a foreign land, where she finds herself at the epicenter of a political firestorm with both sides using her situation to advance their own agendas.
A Note From the Publisher
Content warning: Domestic Violence
Advance Praise
"Mallick offers an impressively realistic depiction of a woman caught between tradition, family, and her own sense of empowerment."
~ Kirkus Reviews
"The Black-Marketer's Daughter is a key-hole look at a few things: a mismatched marriage, the plight of immigrants in the U.S., the emotional toll of culture shock, and the brutal way Muslim women are treated, especially by men within their own community. Titling it—defining the heroine by her relationship to a man rather than as a woman in her own right—suggests how deeply ingrained that inequality can be."
~ IndieReader Reviews
"The Black-Marketer's Daughter is a beautifully written tale of womanly courage and love, embellished with the poetry of Omar Khayyam. Although male, Suman Mallick has written exquisitely from a woman’s point of view to give us Zuleikha, a fanciful young Pakistani woman in an arranged marriage in America, and her story makes this concise, riveting book a love letter to all domestic violence victims, especially Muslim women. This finely wrought novel offers redemption and a way out from under the patriarchal religious dogma that purports to exalt women but in fact degrades the female sex. I highly recommend this book!"
~ Sherry Jones, internationally bestselling author of The Jewel of Medina
"In The Black-Marketer’s Daughter, Mallick employs careful, measured prose to convey a punishing story: that of a Muslim woman, disoriented and alone in America, who slips further and further into the gears of a society built on misogyny and self-interest. Ultimately, her strongest advocate may be the perception and empathy Mallick brings to revealing the harrowing truth of her situation."
~ Dan DeWeese, author of Gielgud and You Don't Love This Man
"The Black-Marketer's Daughter is the portrait of a woman who endures violence, intimidation, xenophobia and grief, and yet refuses to be called a victim. In this slender novel, Suman Mallick deftly navigates the funhouse maze of immigrant life in contemporary America—around each corner the possibility of a delight, a terror, or a distorted reflection of oneself."
~ Matthew Valentine, Winner, Montana Prize for Fiction; Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin
"This novel reminds us that our lives spring from cultural traditions we must either escape or embrace. With rich language and a keen eye for the details of a small enclave in North Texas, Suman Mallick reveals a complex world hidden within American society."
~ Andrew Mitin, author of Time Spent Away
"In The Black-Marketer's Daughter, Suman Mallick explores the myriad systems by which this world further entraps victims of violence--the law, the mosque, the marriage--and offers us a way through."
~ Matthew Robinson, author of The Horse Latitudes
Marketing Plan
Marketing and Publicity Campaign Ongoing With Atmosphere Press.
Marketing and Publicity Campaign Ongoing With Atmosphere Press.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781648261541 |
| PRICE | US$17.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Sheena A, Reviewer
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!
Reviewer 554257
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.
Penny L, Reviewer
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.
Jacqueline J, Reviewer
“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)
Susanne L, Reviewer
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.
Reviewer 724678
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!
Account D, Reviewer
this was a really unique read the characters were great and I really enjoyed that it wasn't the typical book that I read.
Trick W, Reviewer
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!!
Shannan H, Reviewer
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
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