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BURNT SHADOWS
Kamila Shamsie
This is my third book by Kamila Shamsie. By the end of each book I am pleasently surprised at how much I liked the read. This in particular is a moving and aching tale of love and loss. Her books span to two or more countries in every book, hence gives you a ride to different scenes, languages and culture. She describes details in a very intetesting way. You will feel transported to a world she creates.
This is a beautiful story of loss, hope, love and belonging. Hiriko is a Japanese girl who survives in Nagasaki bombing and lives with its scars and the loss of her love Konard. She then moves to Delhi where she finds a friend for life that is Elizabeth, who is Konard’s sister. She finds love and longing to live in Sajjad. Partition happens and they settle in Karachi for good. Sajjad and Hiriko both lost their home and dreams. They start life in Karachi. They have a son Raza who also struggles to find his place in his surroundings from being Japanese to Pakistani to Afghanistani. Then there is Henry, who is a British by birth yet lives and serves America.
There are different characters in the story yet they are all important characters. Everyone is given due share in the story and each one brings a certain element to the over all scene. Character development is wonderful. Seemingly unimportant people will come back later with such a powerful impact that leave readers surprised and in awe.
Many times during the read I felt the thread is finish but she spinds the story brilliantly again and again.
One thing is common in all of my reads by Kamila Shamsie is the open ending. There is a world of possibilities that you can weave around the ending. Its neither sad nor happy, instead its up to your own creativity how you perceive it.
I totally recommend this Burnt Shadows.👍
Critical Analysis by Sidra Javed
Previous Review by the contributor: نولکھی کوٹھی
