1946, a liberal Delhi family find themselves caught up in the increasing tensions in the lead-up to Partition, their world rapidly disintegrating before their disbelieving eyes.

This book is remarkable in that it deals sensitively with a horrendous period of history, the impacts of which continue to reverberate today, but it is beautifully written and manages to touch on so many aspects of Partition. I was aware of the broad brushstrokes of Partition - fracturing of communities, sectarian tensions bubbling over into extreme violence, the drawing of lines on a map to create Pakistan and the mass (forced) population migration - but I hadn’t realised quite how poorly managed it was (though completely unsurprised, given that the British were involved), nor the massive regression in women’s rights. One of the novel’s strengths is how well it shows not only how quickly the situation deteriorated, but especially the initial denial, then disbelief, then paralysis experienced by the liberal family at the heart of the book. It’s a universally applicable reaction - we’ve all read about people at tumultuous moments of history who dithered, who didn’t believe war/violence would break out, etc, and think how could they not have seen it coming, it’s so obvious, and Razak perfectly encapsulates how easy it is to be overtaken by events and then suddenly it’s too late. Through the rich cast of characters, from Roop the budding psychopath to Ma, who has an identity, hopes and dreams beyond her role as a mother, we see Partition’s particularly appalling impact on women. A beautifully-written portrayal of the disbelief and shock of Partition amongst Delhi liberals, the total fracturing of communities, the ensuing refugee crisis and the impact on women.