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May 10, 2019kibister rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Pride & Prejudice was assigned reading in High School, and I haven't revisited it since. I never realized how timeless the plotline was and how even centuries-old, it could be refreshed to fit into Pakastani culture set in the 2000's. Jane Austen delivered biting social commentary and criticism in P&P yet managed to keep it light and witty, and Kamal attempts to the same here. Sometimes she does come across a bit heavy- handed however, I really enjoyed this charming update. One of my fave lines from the novel is when an uptight socialist heiress comments that it must be hard for Alys's (Elizabeth Bennet) mother to have two daughters over 30 that are unmarried, to which she replies "seems to be even harder on absolute strangers." Love the way Soniah Kamal points out hypocrisies and double standard in the society. Kamal also examines class and feminism in post-colonial Pakistan, where the effects of British rule still are felt. For instance this witty take on class "The clinic was an excellent facility, as all facilities that cater to excellent people tend to be, because excellent people demand excellence, unlike those who are grateful for what they receive." I also appreciated that Kamal does a good job explaining the cultural customs, food, and clothes so that a stranger can picture it vividly while reading. It's been 10 years since I've visited Pakistan and this book made me ache for it. Overall, this was a fun read and one of my favorites this year.