Welcome to Litsy!

I'm on Everand again for the first time in ages. Not that I'm reading much - I'm mostly listening to Agatha Christie audiobooks on YouTube. I'm sick again... Trying to rest today did not go well and I was forbidden from working tomorrow. It was quite unpleasant being told off in that way. Anyway, I have been falling apart lately - incredibly anxious and stressed and working long hours. So I'm actually quite grateful.

I enjoyed the first few chapters of this collection of short stories loosely linked by the character of the book‘s title. From about halfway, the book feels like it‘s lost its way a bit - which in a way reflects the loss of a way of life due to “progress”, but always makes for a less interesting read.

Meanwhile, the feminist in me is grateful she doesn‘t live in a culture that doesn‘t treat women as chattels.

“Teddy has been writing her lovesick notes that she suspects are copied from 100 Best Love Songs of the Past Twenty Years but she thinks that he should get credit for trying. Any man who reaches for a book when he thinks about you is a man you should think about.”

#alphabetgame #letterO @alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I'm not entirely sure what to say about this book.

I didn't love it, but I did find it compelling in a melancholic way. Parts were reminiscent of A Handmaid's Tale, if it were set in a different culture and told from a slightly different perspective.

Overall, I'm still going to call it a pick, but with somewhat less enthusiasm. Read with caution. This is not a happy story, but it does have important things to say.

What does a cat on a chair have in common with my reading habits?

They're both inscrutable.

Started a new book over the last day or so and at about 100 pages, I'm still not sure what I think of this one.

1.5⭐️ I read this for the IRL NYRB Bookclub in Singapore. The historical background (partition of India) was what enticed me to pick this, but oh boy, it was a chore to finish this book. I have so many problems with it: 1. Random character drops and not developed properly 2. Mixing first person and third person POV 3. Bad translation that makes the narration wonky 😫 I‘m just glad that it was over

In Karachi, Alice Bhatti works as a nurse in Sacred Heart Hospital. She has a past, cares for patients, marries Teddy Butt, is misunderstood — I kind of wondered where the story was headed, but the Epilogue ties the storylines and themes of love, religion, social status, and gender together well. #Pakistan #ReadingAsia2021

A novel of extra ordinary depth. Enjoyed it. One of the greatest novels in Urdu literature. A difficult one too.

Breathtakingly beautiful!!! What a breath of fresh air. I will finish this today itself and review.

Going to read this NYRB classic tomorrow.