Published in 2019 (first published 1983)
227 pages
Khadija Mastoor is an Urdu writer from Pakistan famous for her novel Aangan.
Born in British India and later migrated to Pakistan with her sister Hajra Masroor, who is also a skillful writer herself, Khadija wrote 7 books on social and moral values. Khail (1944), Bochaar (1946), Chand Roz Aur (1951), Thakay Haray (1962), Aangan (1962) – winner of Adamjee Literary Award, Thanda Meetha Paani (1981) – winner of Hijra Award, and Zameen (1983).
What is this book about?
In the wake of the Partition, a new country is born. As millions of refugees pour into Pakistan, swept up in a welter of chaos and deprivation, Sajidah and her father find their way to the Walton refugee camp, uncertain of their future in what is to become their new home.
Sajidah longs to be reunited with her beloved Salahuddin, but her journey out of the camp takes an altogether unforeseen route. Drawn into the lives of another family—refugees like herself—she is wary of its men, particularly Nazim, the eldest son whose gaze lingers over her. But it is the women of the household whose lives and choices will transform her the most: the passionately beseeching Saleema, her domineering mother Khala Bi, the kind but forlorn Amma Bi, and the feisty young housemaid Taji.
With subtlety and insight, Khadija Mastur conjures a dynamic portrait of spirited women whose lives are wrought by tragedy and trial even as they cling defiantly to the promise of a better future.
