Skyfall by Saba Karim Khan
Publisher: Bloomsbury India
Pages: 264
Price: Rs. 599 INR(Paperback), Rs. 335 INR(Kindle Edition)
ISBN: 978–9390252381
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3rgGLn3
My take on the book:
My rating:
Rania Mirza Kasturi, born and brought up in the infamous Heera Mandi of Lahore, is the daughter of Jahan-e-Rumi, a tawaif. Her father Sherji ran a Madrasa and at a very young age Rania accidentally comes across the activities carried out by her father. Coupled with her father’s abuse towards the family, Rania slowly turns into a rebel, and hence referred to as a ‘trouble’.
Being a tour guide by day and a singer by night, Rania’s world only had her sister Ujala and best friend Marzi, until one fine day she came across a filmmaker. As she is encouraged to pursue a career in music by taking part in a musical concert happening in New York, Rania embarks with hope for a new life. What destiny has in store for Rania and how she faces the challenges forms the rest of the story.
The author deserves appreciation for choosing a realistic, hard-hitting story which is used as a backdrop to touch a numerous current day issues, that are universally relevant. Through Rania’s character, author delivers the message for a never-die-attitude, especially when the going gets tough. The story moves across places and cities, taking the reader on a whirlwind tour across the globe.
The cover is beautiful and aptly captures the essence of the story. The story is very emotional at places; it is gutsy of the author to start the story in a flashback mode, as the reader is already aware of where Rania has reached in her life but would be intrigued to read about her journey. All the characters supporting the protagonist are given equal footage.
For a debut, the author does a fabulous job in holding the reader’s interest; if you are looking for an interesting read pick this one to read the story of a strong, determined woman, crossing life’s hurdles one at a time.
4/5.