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The Story of a Widow
“This is a gem of a book and the author is a real find. At last the subcontinent can rejoice in having acquired its own avatar of the iconic Jane Austen...Here is the same keen observation of social mores, the sympathy for human foibles, the rapier-like wit that makes one laugh aloud and the simple, elegant prose in which it is all expressed.” —India Today
After the death of her husband, Akbar Ahmad, Mona finds herself settling ambivalently into a new life. But the calm rhythm of her days—gardening, cooking, spending time with her neighbors and family in Karachi—is upset by the appearance of Salamat Ali, the new tenant in her friend Mrs. Baig’s house. Vivacious, friendly, and, at times, impertinent, Salamat Ali is both a breath of fresh air and a disconcerting new presence in Mona’s life. When Salamat Ali, encouraged by Mrs. Baig, presents Mona with a marriage proposal, she is forced to reconsider her past with Akbar Ahmad, and envision the future she wishes to make with her new suitor. As Mona negotiates the complex web of tradition-bound in-laws and gossiping, interfering relatives, she finds Salamat Ali waking her to the pleasures of life that thirty years with her dour first husband all but smothered. But if Salamat Ali helps her discover something so new and essential, he also exposes her to the danger of transgressing old traditions.
The Story of a Widow is a beautifully observant novel that pays careful attention to the delicate movements of the heart in romantic and family life. But it is equally concerned with the mores of a society whose conventions constrain men and, particularly, women. Gently humorous, profoundly perceptive, and exceedingly clever in its cultural critique, The Story of a Widow is Musharraf Ali Farooqi’s modern answer to the Victorian novel.
After the death of her husband, Akbar Ahmad, Mona finds herself settling ambivalently into a new life. But the calm rhythm of her days—gardening, cooking, spending time with her neighbors and family in Karachi—is upset by the appearance of Salamat Ali, the new tenant in her friend Mrs. Baig’s house. Vivacious, friendly, and, at times, impertinent, Salamat Ali is both a breath of fresh air and a disconcerting new presence in Mona’s life. When Salamat Ali, encouraged by Mrs. Baig, presents Mona with a marriage proposal, she is forced to reconsider her past with Akbar Ahmad, and envision the future she wishes to make with her new suitor. As Mona negotiates the complex web of tradition-bound in-laws and gossiping, interfering relatives, she finds Salamat Ali waking her to the pleasures of life that thirty years with her dour first husband all but smothered. But if Salamat Ali helps her discover something so new and essential, he also exposes her to the danger of transgressing old traditions.
The Story of a Widow is a beautifully observant novel that pays careful attention to the delicate movements of the heart in romantic and family life. But it is equally concerned with the mores of a society whose conventions constrain men and, particularly, women. Gently humorous, profoundly perceptive, and exceedingly clever in its cultural critique, The Story of a Widow is Musharraf Ali Farooqi’s modern answer to the Victorian novel.
249 pages, Hardcover
First published August 12, 2008
10 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Musharraf Ali Farooqi
32 books70 followersMusharraf Ali Farooqi is a critically acclaimed Pakistani author, novelist and translator.
His novel "Between Clay and Dust" was shortlisted for The Man Asian Literary Prize 2012 and longlisted for the 2013 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Farooqi's second novel "The Story of a Widow" was shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2011, and longlisted for the 2010 IMPAC-Dublin Literary Award.
His most recent children's fiction is the novel "Tik-Tik, The Master of Time" Pakistan's first English language novel for children. His other works for children include the picture book "The Cobbler's Holiday Or Why Ants Don't Wear Shoes" and the collection "The Amazing Moustaches of Mocchhander the Iron Man and Other Stories" which was shortlisted for the India ComicCon award in the Best Publication for Children category.
He is also the author of the critically acclaimed translations of Urdu classics "The Adventures of Amir Hamza" and the first book of a projected 24-volume magical fantasy epic "Hoshruba".
Farooqi now divides his time between Toronto and Karachi.
His novel "Between Clay and Dust" was shortlisted for The Man Asian Literary Prize 2012 and longlisted for the 2013 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Farooqi's second novel "The Story of a Widow" was shortlisted for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2011, and longlisted for the 2010 IMPAC-Dublin Literary Award.
His most recent children's fiction is the novel "Tik-Tik, The Master of Time" Pakistan's first English language novel for children. His other works for children include the picture book "The Cobbler's Holiday Or Why Ants Don't Wear Shoes" and the collection "The Amazing Moustaches of Mocchhander the Iron Man and Other Stories" which was shortlisted for the India ComicCon award in the Best Publication for Children category.
He is also the author of the critically acclaimed translations of Urdu classics "The Adventures of Amir Hamza" and the first book of a projected 24-volume magical fantasy epic "Hoshruba".
Farooqi now divides his time between Toronto and Karachi.
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June 15, 2023
“A woman’s reputation is all that she gains in this life. And this talk of a proposal of marriage, isn’t it also a little too late in the day?”
This is an important book to read (even if the execution isn’t exactly flawless) because it tackles such an important topic. The problem with Pakistani literature is that there is such limited output in the English language that when a book comes along discussing a widow’s prospects of a second marriage and society’s stereotypical responses to it, it is important for us to sit up and take notice.
Musharruf Ali Farooqi’s books take on interesting figures, I’ll give them that. In Between Clay and Dust his characters include courtesans and wrestlers, figures in history that describe a particular time and place, but this time around the protagonist is more socially relevant, someone whose status can be discussed time and time again. Mona, the widow in (the very originally named) The Story of a Widow, is a person upon whom a whole society descends to voice their stereotypes, prejudices, and horrified opinions about how and with whom she should spend her time.
“Don’t expect the whole world to gather around and offer its blessings for every choice you make in your life. It doesn’t work like that.”
Mona’s decision about a second marriage sends the whole family into a tail spin, with daughters and relatives and family friends all ready and willing to comment upon the absurdity of the proposal. After her husband’s death, Mona’s life consists of gardening and walking and hanging out with her neighbour and family friend Mrs. Baig, but when a tenant at Mrs. Baig’s house, Salamat Ali, sends over a marriage proposal (after frequently spying at Mona in a frankly worrying manner), everyone goes batshit insane.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, prolonging this circus. Why didn’t you say no to this man straight away?”
A major portion of the story is about Mona’s relationship with her daughters. In a lot of societies, divorce is talked about more in terms of the children than the divorcee themselves, irrespective of the child’s age. In this story Mona’s daughters are married with children of their own, but that doesn’t seem to matter because in societies like ours that are less individualistic and more community-oriented, it is the children’s needs that come first. Mona, who has spent her whole life with a husband incapable of being pleased, is now ostracized for thinking about her own needs above others.
“It would have been different if Daddy had died young. Everyone knows it’s difficult for a young woman to raise kids by herself. Everybody would have understood that you had done it for us! Now, however—,”
Basically, the concept in Pakistani society is that once you’re married, all your hopes and ambitions must bow down to the whims and existence of your husband and children. No matter whether you’re living together or divorced, widowed or separated, no step of yours must be taken in ensuring your own personal happiness.
Wasn’t I a good mother to them, a good wife to their father? Why is it necessary to prove it to the world, too? If they suddenly die, must I die too?
This is quite a disheartening lesson to learn for someone like me, whose impending marriage has come with its own over-sharing of opinions and advice from overzealous well-wishers. This book gets that portion of the story right, even as it describes how complicated the mother-daughter relationship can be, and how even smart, sensible children can become ridiculous and selfish when it comes to matters of their own parents.
Like every mother, Mona had rediscovered her daughters as married women. She had witnessed Amber reacting to many things in much the same way she did, and making many of the same mistakes she had made as a young bride.
Mona’s confusion about the man’s proposal also has a lot to do with how her daughters so vehemently protest against it. Except, why? How does their mother’s remarriage affect them? Sure, if the man was sullen and horrible and they thought it was a horrible match their reactions would make sense. But that’s the thing: they don’t even know him before their knee-jerk reaction is horror and suspicion. This, in a reflection of the real world, makes sense but does not help the characters endear themselves to me. And also, why can’t we have children who are approving of their parent’s second marriage and personal choice and probably happiness? Why is that such an unrealistic assumption?
Was she showing the natural reaction of a child trying to protect the image of a parent in her mind? Were her daughters acting from the jealous regard that their mother’s affections should not be shared with another?
The only character worth rooting for in this novel is Mona’s sister Hina, whose warm regard for Mona and her complicated yet loving way of dealing with Salamat Ali’s proposal makes their sisterly relationship complex and weird. I loved reading about Hina because such relationships are explored so rarely in Pakistani books.
The only thing that mattered was that Hina had stood by her side. Her sister had been there for her all these years too, but her support now gave Mona a feeling that she would be able to cope with anything.
Hina is one of the few people willing to speak up about how utterly horrible Mona’s first husband, Akbar Ahmad, was. This is a point repeated again and again in the way Mona remembers Akbar Ahmad’s tendency to be petulant, miserly about money, and an overall failure of a husband.
“You always maintained that he was a good father, but so what if he was a good father? How does that redeem him if he was a bad husband?”
What’s fascinating is that this book provides all the possible reactions to a widow’s second marriage in Hina’s initial response of horror at Mona’s decision to marry Salamat Ali; not because Hina is against the very idea itself but because she can’t believe someone like Mona, who has already suffered through a horrible marriage to an absolute prat, would want to go through the whole torturous process all over again.
“You were unwilling to divorce Akbar Ahmad to obtain your freedom, but when a twist of fate has released you from him, you’re thinking—? Of what? Of walking into slavery once again with open eyes? I cannot understand you!”
Even with this particular response of Hina’s, one thing the story slightly touches upon but fails to explore in more detail is the treatment of men seeking a second marriage. Even though our protagonist is Mona and so it is her trials and tribulations we follow, it would have made for a richer experience in the narration if Salamat Ali’s family’s opinions also made an appearance in the story in fuller, greater detail.
The reaction from Salamat Ali’s family only confirmed Mona’s view that while a widow who seeks a second marriage was looked down upon as a harlot in society, widowers were expected to look for virgin brides.
Unfortunately, further flaws which are less easily excused appear as the story moves forward. The book sometimes takes on the tone of a gossip rag in how it discusses the other relatives of the female in their relationship hang-ups. Almost everyone is unhappy or mean or vindictive in one way or another except for our heroine, who alone is misunderstood and trying to do the right thing, which can get irritating. The story is also spiteful towards the characters our protagonist doesn’t like, representing them in unflattering terms, one of which I particular detest when it is used to show a personality flaw — that of using too much make up. This particular writing trick is not only sexist and misogynistic, it is also a particularly minor flaw in an otherwise pro-female story.
Possibly the weakest part of this storytelling attempt is the lack of relationship to the main character. As with Musharraf Ali Farooqi’s previous novel, there’s such a lack of feeling associated with the characters. No matter how interesting the story, your distance from the characters keeps you disengaged. So while one can ultimately appreciate how the story is about the choices we make and the right to make them, it doesn’t help that we never really learn to care about Mona or her predicaments.
“Who is the family to decide what I must or mustn’t do?” Mona demanded.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that Mona is not a character you’d particular root for. Not only is she weak and whiny, she also goes around blaming others for her troubles. And yet she’s also soft hearted, prone to moments of brilliant self independence, and genuinely cares for the people around her, so it’s hard to know where she falls on the spectrum of protagonist-reader love. I, for one, have loved the truly selfish, vindictive heroines I’ve read (Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, Quintana from The Lumatere Chronicles) but Mona frequently indulges in pointless self-pity, which is one thing I cannot stand in my heroines.
There was a pall that had hung over her existence for a long time after Akbar Ahmad’s death. What was it? The sense that her life had been wasted, or that she would not struggle to find happiness for herself as readily as she was willing to sacrifice herself for others?
Recommendation
“Too many people have tried to run my life with their expectations.”
This is an important book to read and discuss, because it brings up so many questions and sheds light on so many hypocrisies against the widowed female. And I’m very glad that the book points out that Islam doesn’t forbid widows from remarrying. But I didn’t love reading it. Basically, I liked the idea of it, but the execution left something to be desired. Make of that what you will.
**
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
**
Original Update:
What an interesting topic! Review to come.
This is an important book to read (even if the execution isn’t exactly flawless) because it tackles such an important topic. The problem with Pakistani literature is that there is such limited output in the English language that when a book comes along discussing a widow’s prospects of a second marriage and society’s stereotypical responses to it, it is important for us to sit up and take notice.
Musharruf Ali Farooqi’s books take on interesting figures, I’ll give them that. In Between Clay and Dust his characters include courtesans and wrestlers, figures in history that describe a particular time and place, but this time around the protagonist is more socially relevant, someone whose status can be discussed time and time again. Mona, the widow in (the very originally named) The Story of a Widow, is a person upon whom a whole society descends to voice their stereotypes, prejudices, and horrified opinions about how and with whom she should spend her time.
“Don’t expect the whole world to gather around and offer its blessings for every choice you make in your life. It doesn’t work like that.”
Mona’s decision about a second marriage sends the whole family into a tail spin, with daughters and relatives and family friends all ready and willing to comment upon the absurdity of the proposal. After her husband’s death, Mona’s life consists of gardening and walking and hanging out with her neighbour and family friend Mrs. Baig, but when a tenant at Mrs. Baig’s house, Salamat Ali, sends over a marriage proposal (after frequently spying at Mona in a frankly worrying manner), everyone goes batshit insane.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, prolonging this circus. Why didn’t you say no to this man straight away?”
A major portion of the story is about Mona’s relationship with her daughters. In a lot of societies, divorce is talked about more in terms of the children than the divorcee themselves, irrespective of the child’s age. In this story Mona’s daughters are married with children of their own, but that doesn’t seem to matter because in societies like ours that are less individualistic and more community-oriented, it is the children’s needs that come first. Mona, who has spent her whole life with a husband incapable of being pleased, is now ostracized for thinking about her own needs above others.
“It would have been different if Daddy had died young. Everyone knows it’s difficult for a young woman to raise kids by herself. Everybody would have understood that you had done it for us! Now, however—,”
Basically, the concept in Pakistani society is that once you’re married, all your hopes and ambitions must bow down to the whims and existence of your husband and children. No matter whether you’re living together or divorced, widowed or separated, no step of yours must be taken in ensuring your own personal happiness.
Wasn’t I a good mother to them, a good wife to their father? Why is it necessary to prove it to the world, too? If they suddenly die, must I die too?
This is quite a disheartening lesson to learn for someone like me, whose impending marriage has come with its own over-sharing of opinions and advice from overzealous well-wishers. This book gets that portion of the story right, even as it describes how complicated the mother-daughter relationship can be, and how even smart, sensible children can become ridiculous and selfish when it comes to matters of their own parents.
Like every mother, Mona had rediscovered her daughters as married women. She had witnessed Amber reacting to many things in much the same way she did, and making many of the same mistakes she had made as a young bride.
Mona’s confusion about the man’s proposal also has a lot to do with how her daughters so vehemently protest against it. Except, why? How does their mother’s remarriage affect them? Sure, if the man was sullen and horrible and they thought it was a horrible match their reactions would make sense. But that’s the thing: they don’t even know him before their knee-jerk reaction is horror and suspicion. This, in a reflection of the real world, makes sense but does not help the characters endear themselves to me. And also, why can’t we have children who are approving of their parent’s second marriage and personal choice and probably happiness? Why is that such an unrealistic assumption?
Was she showing the natural reaction of a child trying to protect the image of a parent in her mind? Were her daughters acting from the jealous regard that their mother’s affections should not be shared with another?
The only character worth rooting for in this novel is Mona’s sister Hina, whose warm regard for Mona and her complicated yet loving way of dealing with Salamat Ali’s proposal makes their sisterly relationship complex and weird. I loved reading about Hina because such relationships are explored so rarely in Pakistani books.
The only thing that mattered was that Hina had stood by her side. Her sister had been there for her all these years too, but her support now gave Mona a feeling that she would be able to cope with anything.
Hina is one of the few people willing to speak up about how utterly horrible Mona’s first husband, Akbar Ahmad, was. This is a point repeated again and again in the way Mona remembers Akbar Ahmad’s tendency to be petulant, miserly about money, and an overall failure of a husband.
“You always maintained that he was a good father, but so what if he was a good father? How does that redeem him if he was a bad husband?”
What’s fascinating is that this book provides all the possible reactions to a widow’s second marriage in Hina’s initial response of horror at Mona’s decision to marry Salamat Ali; not because Hina is against the very idea itself but because she can’t believe someone like Mona, who has already suffered through a horrible marriage to an absolute prat, would want to go through the whole torturous process all over again.
“You were unwilling to divorce Akbar Ahmad to obtain your freedom, but when a twist of fate has released you from him, you’re thinking—? Of what? Of walking into slavery once again with open eyes? I cannot understand you!”
Even with this particular response of Hina’s, one thing the story slightly touches upon but fails to explore in more detail is the treatment of men seeking a second marriage. Even though our protagonist is Mona and so it is her trials and tribulations we follow, it would have made for a richer experience in the narration if Salamat Ali’s family’s opinions also made an appearance in the story in fuller, greater detail.
The reaction from Salamat Ali’s family only confirmed Mona’s view that while a widow who seeks a second marriage was looked down upon as a harlot in society, widowers were expected to look for virgin brides.
Unfortunately, further flaws which are less easily excused appear as the story moves forward. The book sometimes takes on the tone of a gossip rag in how it discusses the other relatives of the female in their relationship hang-ups. Almost everyone is unhappy or mean or vindictive in one way or another except for our heroine, who alone is misunderstood and trying to do the right thing, which can get irritating. The story is also spiteful towards the characters our protagonist doesn’t like, representing them in unflattering terms, one of which I particular detest when it is used to show a personality flaw — that of using too much make up. This particular writing trick is not only sexist and misogynistic, it is also a particularly minor flaw in an otherwise pro-female story.
Possibly the weakest part of this storytelling attempt is the lack of relationship to the main character. As with Musharraf Ali Farooqi’s previous novel, there’s such a lack of feeling associated with the characters. No matter how interesting the story, your distance from the characters keeps you disengaged. So while one can ultimately appreciate how the story is about the choices we make and the right to make them, it doesn’t help that we never really learn to care about Mona or her predicaments.
“Who is the family to decide what I must or mustn’t do?” Mona demanded.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that Mona is not a character you’d particular root for. Not only is she weak and whiny, she also goes around blaming others for her troubles. And yet she’s also soft hearted, prone to moments of brilliant self independence, and genuinely cares for the people around her, so it’s hard to know where she falls on the spectrum of protagonist-reader love. I, for one, have loved the truly selfish, vindictive heroines I’ve read (Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind, Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, Quintana from The Lumatere Chronicles) but Mona frequently indulges in pointless self-pity, which is one thing I cannot stand in my heroines.
There was a pall that had hung over her existence for a long time after Akbar Ahmad’s death. What was it? The sense that her life had been wasted, or that she would not struggle to find happiness for herself as readily as she was willing to sacrifice herself for others?
Recommendation
“Too many people have tried to run my life with their expectations.”
This is an important book to read and discuss, because it brings up so many questions and sheds light on so many hypocrisies against the widowed female. And I’m very glad that the book points out that Islam doesn’t forbid widows from remarrying. But I didn’t love reading it. Basically, I liked the idea of it, but the execution left something to be desired. Make of that what you will.
**
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
**
Original Update:
What an interesting topic! Review to come.
September 4, 2020
3.5 stars
This book reminded me of the regional family melodramatic movies of my childhood.
A widow who has come to terms with her controlling husband's death is soon faced wooing by a different sort of a man. She succumbs to him, remarries and life is quite different , yet the same .
Loved the portrait of this particular Pakistani family . Marvelled at the similarities of people despite cultural and religious barriers .
Was a good book , it had its faults ..was unbelievable at parts , but wasn't tedious to read
Why this book ?
Wanted to read a Pakistani book as part of the Read all countries challenge
Saw this book in a WhatsApp seconds sale and bought a new copy online
The cover pic was too delicious to avoid
Had got a good smelling hard copy at a bargain price , the paper was high-quality and font, just the right size.
This book reminded me of the regional family melodramatic movies of my childhood.
A widow who has come to terms with her controlling husband's death is soon faced wooing by a different sort of a man. She succumbs to him, remarries and life is quite different , yet the same .
Loved the portrait of this particular Pakistani family . Marvelled at the similarities of people despite cultural and religious barriers .
Was a good book , it had its faults ..was unbelievable at parts , but wasn't tedious to read
Why this book ?
Wanted to read a Pakistani book as part of the Read all countries challenge
Saw this book in a WhatsApp seconds sale and bought a new copy online
The cover pic was too delicious to avoid
Had got a good smelling hard copy at a bargain price , the paper was high-quality and font, just the right size.
September 2, 2021
Hot garbage.
December 16, 2011
I had really high hopes for this book, another Pakistani origin author (yayyy, one with favorable reviews on his work as a translator (double yayyy) and to top it all, a story based in present day Karachi (triple yayyy). Needless to say all my hopes came crashing down!!! I’m just glad I borrowed it from my online library and didn’t waste my money on buying it (and I never consider buying books as a waste of money!).
The main story of a window opting to get married again in current day Pakistan, (a country with a through mix of conservative and modern values), was a good lure to pick up the book. Sigh! A good lure but the fish never landed.!! The Story of a Widow progressively became unrealistic, as well as boring, I had a very hard time trying to finish it, and felt like getting into a major fight with the book, not to mention the main character Mona! (Mona, Mona, Mona what am I to do with you??)
The characters were shallow and undeveloped (who 'are' these people?), the relationships were trivial (they hardly 'knew' each other, no bonding no connection) the life they lead is not reflective of life in Karachi. (Where does Farooqi, actually live? It’s not in Karachi, I tell you, nah! At least not in the Karachi I live in!)
It seems as if Farooqui had just translated a story from Pakeeza or Khawateen Digest! (Readers from Pakistan will know what I'm referring to, but for others, these two are total Chick Lit monthly rag magazines in Urdu, focusing on romance in all its fantastical archaic soap opera forms.
Initially, I thought I was being too harsh in thinking this book was a total waste of time and I avoid writing negative reviews but this book deserves it! Usually, if I don't like a book it’s a case of “I just didn’t get it” and I move on. After all different people have different tastes, and there have been many well rated and well reviewed books that I have had no taste for. But seven of my friends were reading the Widows Story at the same time, (our emerging Book Club), ages ranging from 28 to 58, diverse interests in genres, career oriented as well as home bodies, and we have never had a unanimous verdict on any book , to date! This time it was unanimous. It’s a dud.
Farooqui, you really need to do better.
The main story of a window opting to get married again in current day Pakistan, (a country with a through mix of conservative and modern values), was a good lure to pick up the book. Sigh! A good lure but the fish never landed.!! The Story of a Widow progressively became unrealistic, as well as boring, I had a very hard time trying to finish it, and felt like getting into a major fight with the book, not to mention the main character Mona! (Mona, Mona, Mona what am I to do with you??)
The characters were shallow and undeveloped (who 'are' these people?), the relationships were trivial (they hardly 'knew' each other, no bonding no connection) the life they lead is not reflective of life in Karachi. (Where does Farooqi, actually live? It’s not in Karachi, I tell you, nah! At least not in the Karachi I live in!)
It seems as if Farooqui had just translated a story from Pakeeza or Khawateen Digest! (Readers from Pakistan will know what I'm referring to, but for others, these two are total Chick Lit monthly rag magazines in Urdu, focusing on romance in all its fantastical archaic soap opera forms.
Initially, I thought I was being too harsh in thinking this book was a total waste of time and I avoid writing negative reviews but this book deserves it! Usually, if I don't like a book it’s a case of “I just didn’t get it” and I move on. After all different people have different tastes, and there have been many well rated and well reviewed books that I have had no taste for. But seven of my friends were reading the Widows Story at the same time, (our emerging Book Club), ages ranging from 28 to 58, diverse interests in genres, career oriented as well as home bodies, and we have never had a unanimous verdict on any book , to date! This time it was unanimous. It’s a dud.
Farooqui, you really need to do better.
October 5, 2010
Lovely and quaint, though I wouldn't fully agree with Mohammad Hanif's praise that it is Austen's take on a Karachi suburb. Had a bit of trouble with Mona's character as well...she seems so hesitant at some times and so self-asserting at other times it's hard to conceive her as a concrete character. Farooqi, however, did a wonderful job of depicting the family politics that takes place in such settings. I'd also be lying if I said that the setting didn't make me nostalgic for home.
Read
January 29, 2020It's a wonderfully quiet and close look at the choices made by a middle aged woman who has never really been happy, or loved, and how she reaches a point of something like self possession. I'm surprised someone has not already adapted for television or film in South Asia
August 20, 2009
It was with some enthusiasm that I picked up this book by Musharraf Ali Farooqi. There were positive reviews, and the author has his work as translator for the acclaimed The Adventures Of Amir Hamza of Ghalib Lakhnavi and Abdullah Bilgrami behind him. But this turned to be a very drab, vacious book for me on many fronts.
When one reads about a book set in a particular country or culture, one likes to get a sense of the place and its people. This one is based in Karachi and should have captured the essence of the Pakistani living and its inhabitants in a more textured, nuanced manner. But all Farooqi does is to give you a story that is too generic, too plastic and too facile.
The concept is interesting enough - that of a 50 plus widow who looks at marrying again and experiencing a certain sensual, marital happiness that she missed with her deceased husband who was too controlling and finicky. By itself, this is a somewhat unusual plot - given how little is written about relationships involving senior couples. The problem is in the way the action plays out, not lacking so much in insight as much as in imagination and execution. It almost feels staged.
Mona, a 50 plus widow, attractive and comely, is quite content with her single status again after her husband's death. Her two daughters, the empathetic Ambar and surly Tanya are married, so the mother has enough time on her hands - something she never had earlier. Her husband has left her enough money and she has an efficient staff to take care of her spacious house. Her decorous social life is restricted to visits to her neighbour - the elderly Mrs Baig and her sister Hina and her husband Jafar.
The rest can be read at my blog, http://sandyi.blogspot.com/2009/08/re...
When one reads about a book set in a particular country or culture, one likes to get a sense of the place and its people. This one is based in Karachi and should have captured the essence of the Pakistani living and its inhabitants in a more textured, nuanced manner. But all Farooqi does is to give you a story that is too generic, too plastic and too facile.
The concept is interesting enough - that of a 50 plus widow who looks at marrying again and experiencing a certain sensual, marital happiness that she missed with her deceased husband who was too controlling and finicky. By itself, this is a somewhat unusual plot - given how little is written about relationships involving senior couples. The problem is in the way the action plays out, not lacking so much in insight as much as in imagination and execution. It almost feels staged.
Mona, a 50 plus widow, attractive and comely, is quite content with her single status again after her husband's death. Her two daughters, the empathetic Ambar and surly Tanya are married, so the mother has enough time on her hands - something she never had earlier. Her husband has left her enough money and she has an efficient staff to take care of her spacious house. Her decorous social life is restricted to visits to her neighbour - the elderly Mrs Baig and her sister Hina and her husband Jafar.
The rest can be read at my blog, http://sandyi.blogspot.com/2009/08/re...
August 27, 2016
The Story of a Widow by Musharraf Ali Farooqi is a beautiful story of one woman's search for joy and independence after years of forced routine, misery, and restraint by her now deceased husband. There were so many aspects of this novel that I really appreciated. The writing was eloquent and captivating, and I felt as if I was observing the events of the story as a fly on the wall. This novel flowed incredibly well resulting in a quick, highly pleasant read! I also felt that there was a lot of deeper meaning in The Story of a Widow about self-discovery, liberation, trust, and happiness. The one thing I would have liked added to this novel is a glossary of cultural terms because I wasn’t familiar with some of them and had to look them up.
The thoughts and struggles that Mona, the main character, faced were thoroughly detailed. I appreciated how realistic these thoughts felt to that of a woman’s, and I often found myself forgetting that this book was written by a man! Mona's emotional liberation and self-discovery was extremely satisfying to read about, but I appreciated how the author conveyed Mona's doubts and fears as well to give the novel an authentic feel.
I was surprised by how many plot twists were included in this book. The ending was unexpected, but left me contented for Mona. I really felt like that Mona was in a good and truly happy place in her life, which left me feeling incredibly satisfied. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a read that is poignant and expressive of emotion.
The thoughts and struggles that Mona, the main character, faced were thoroughly detailed. I appreciated how realistic these thoughts felt to that of a woman’s, and I often found myself forgetting that this book was written by a man! Mona's emotional liberation and self-discovery was extremely satisfying to read about, but I appreciated how the author conveyed Mona's doubts and fears as well to give the novel an authentic feel.
I was surprised by how many plot twists were included in this book. The ending was unexpected, but left me contented for Mona. I really felt like that Mona was in a good and truly happy place in her life, which left me feeling incredibly satisfied. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a read that is poignant and expressive of emotion.
May 20, 2016
I love classic stories. sometimes it really don't need a big twist to turn around a book. excellent read.
March 20, 2017
The characters are so real you mourn when you finish the book because they aren't in your life anymore.
April 2, 2021
🎗️
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒘 ~ 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚏 𝙰𝚕𝚒 𝙵𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚚𝚒
▪️Mona,a beautiful lady in early 50s, lives in Pakistan. She is a mother of two daughters
(Tanya,Amber) and wishes to marry after the death of her husband Akbar. Being in his clutches for 30 years, she felt a kind of freedom after his death. She does everything for herself, which she has been deprived in Akbar's presence, and lives a peaceful life. Hina and Jafar are very supportive to her(her sister and brother-in-law).
▪️That's when Salamat Ali enters her life with a proposal of marriage. He lives next to her house as a tenant in Mrs.Baig's house who is very close to Mona. Salamat Ali is also a widower and the moment he sees Mona, he tries to be friendly with her. One day he sends his proposal through Mrs.Baig to Mona.
How will Mona respond to this?
Will her married daughters approve it?
Will her family acknowledge her marriage with Salamat Ali?
Will she live her life the way she dreamt of?
Will she rekindle her desires?
Will she get what she wishes?
Struck between emotions and reality, what will Mona do?
▪️The story is a perfect blend of fiction and drama. It well represents the emotions of women in the patriarchal society. The way everyone tries to link a women's happiness and decisions with her family and it's expectations are well written. The crux of the story isn't the same as one expects, it is quite different from the expectations of the reader and is a bit predictable. The introspection and retrospection of female lead is very impressive. The characterization is perfect and the story keeps you going.
▪️The cover page caught my attention and I immediately picked this book. It is likeable and has a fine ending. With a admirable vocabulary and neatly woven story, it is satisfactory.
🌟🌟🌟.5
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒘 ~ 𝙼𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚏 𝙰𝚕𝚒 𝙵𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚚𝚒
▪️Mona,a beautiful lady in early 50s, lives in Pakistan. She is a mother of two daughters
(Tanya,Amber) and wishes to marry after the death of her husband Akbar. Being in his clutches for 30 years, she felt a kind of freedom after his death. She does everything for herself, which she has been deprived in Akbar's presence, and lives a peaceful life. Hina and Jafar are very supportive to her(her sister and brother-in-law).
▪️That's when Salamat Ali enters her life with a proposal of marriage. He lives next to her house as a tenant in Mrs.Baig's house who is very close to Mona. Salamat Ali is also a widower and the moment he sees Mona, he tries to be friendly with her. One day he sends his proposal through Mrs.Baig to Mona.
How will Mona respond to this?
Will her married daughters approve it?
Will her family acknowledge her marriage with Salamat Ali?
Will she live her life the way she dreamt of?
Will she rekindle her desires?
Will she get what she wishes?
Struck between emotions and reality, what will Mona do?
▪️The story is a perfect blend of fiction and drama. It well represents the emotions of women in the patriarchal society. The way everyone tries to link a women's happiness and decisions with her family and it's expectations are well written. The crux of the story isn't the same as one expects, it is quite different from the expectations of the reader and is a bit predictable. The introspection and retrospection of female lead is very impressive. The characterization is perfect and the story keeps you going.
▪️The cover page caught my attention and I immediately picked this book. It is likeable and has a fine ending. With a admirable vocabulary and neatly woven story, it is satisfactory.
🌟🌟🌟.5
September 9, 2020
It is about a woman. A strong woman. Whom if I meet in real life would would give a lot of respect. It takes a lot in someone to stand up for themselves when they have been raised in a conservative way. And takes a lot more to accept the fact that after they have started to make decision and the one most important decision they took was completely wrong.
It is a light read. Can read when traveling.
It is a light read. Can read when traveling.
July 25, 2017
I have to admit that I stopped reading once I realized where the story was heading.
I skipped to read the end to confirm my thoughts, which were correct.
Even though it was my first book from Pakistan and I found the style quite interesting, I didn't like the characters (above all Salamat Ali whom I really didn't like at all!) which made it hard for me to continue reading..
I skipped to read the end to confirm my thoughts, which were correct.
Even though it was my first book from Pakistan and I found the style quite interesting, I didn't like the characters (above all Salamat Ali whom I really didn't like at all!) which made it hard for me to continue reading..
June 12, 2020
I did enjoy this story about navigating family obligations and meddling and finding ones own way. I also enjoyed the places that are so familiar to me. The story felt a little diluted perhaps to make it more understandable for a "Canadian" audience - I had wished for some more details and language that would have better reflected Karachi - but perhaps I was the not the audience for this story.
November 22, 2018
Loved it. Characters one really cares about.
November 8, 2020
Simple read. Common story in the desi world.
Read
March 10, 2020I can imagine "The Story of a Widow" being made into a fun, interesting mini-series on some streaming platform - Netflix, Amazon Prime or whatever.
The main protagonist, Mona, recently widowed, is struggling to come out her late husband's shadow, and her life is thrown out of gear when a widower takes interest in her. Musharraf Ali Farooqi puts in quite some work in almost all his characters. So it's easy to imagine all of them and their interactions.
However the book gets tedious halfway and becomes very predictable. In fact, to my disappointment, I imagine a more explosive end. That's not to say the climax was a letdown, on the contrary, it almost redeems all the earlier plot flaws. Almost. However, this novel could have been chopped short by a 100 pages.
The main protagonist, Mona, recently widowed, is struggling to come out her late husband's shadow, and her life is thrown out of gear when a widower takes interest in her. Musharraf Ali Farooqi puts in quite some work in almost all his characters. So it's easy to imagine all of them and their interactions.
However the book gets tedious halfway and becomes very predictable. In fact, to my disappointment, I imagine a more explosive end. That's not to say the climax was a letdown, on the contrary, it almost redeems all the earlier plot flaws. Almost. However, this novel could have been chopped short by a 100 pages.
September 19, 2016
As the title suggests, it's a story about a widow who had had an unhappy married life. As she finds a new ray of hope in her life when Salamat Ali tries to be a part of it, things and situation take a whole different turn. She's happy but can she compromise her happiness with her freedom?
The story emphasizes the way society reacts and scorns at everything that they can and how a victim deals with it.
All in all, a fine read.
The story emphasizes the way society reacts and scorns at everything that they can and how a victim deals with it.
All in all, a fine read.
November 11, 2016
I came back to write this review for my darling little friend famtaq, since we often share book recommendations.
I came to know about this book through GoodReads. It was a name on my to-read book shelf since years! I have to admit, I didn't expect the book to be deep and disturbing, nor it was, it was a peacefully calming read.
The story revolves around the life of Mona who just lost her husband to a cardiac arrest. Not many pages later, she meets Salamat Ali, the new tenant next door who often smiles as he passes by and has roses planted in her courtyard. Salamat Ali does not take long in sending a proposal and despite Mona's initial hesitance, she agrees to marry him fairly easily.
The book definitely has plot holes that are easily visible though the story could have been developed in a much better way. For example, the book starts with Mona remembering her late husband as a good man but by the time it finishes, he is just another man who cheated her out of her life. It seems that Mona goes through a paradigm shift of thanklessness as soon as someone else steps into her life. The daughters seem a little too distant for the kind of relation that should exist between a typical mother and her daughters.
Nonetheless, it is a nice read for an idle day when you do not want something too intense to read. The book does have its thoughtful and feminine side as it shows how Mona faces constantly changing attitudes of the people around her before and even after her second marriage.
A book too tenderly written for an author who is a man yet knows the troubling shifts that a woman faces all through her life, sacrificing every bit of herself for the people she loves.
Give this book a try.
Happy Reading!
I came to know about this book through GoodReads. It was a name on my to-read book shelf since years! I have to admit, I didn't expect the book to be deep and disturbing, nor it was, it was a peacefully calming read.
The story revolves around the life of Mona who just lost her husband to a cardiac arrest. Not many pages later, she meets Salamat Ali, the new tenant next door who often smiles as he passes by and has roses planted in her courtyard. Salamat Ali does not take long in sending a proposal and despite Mona's initial hesitance, she agrees to marry him fairly easily.
The book definitely has plot holes that are easily visible though the story could have been developed in a much better way. For example, the book starts with Mona remembering her late husband as a good man but by the time it finishes, he is just another man who cheated her out of her life. It seems that Mona goes through a paradigm shift of thanklessness as soon as someone else steps into her life. The daughters seem a little too distant for the kind of relation that should exist between a typical mother and her daughters.
Nonetheless, it is a nice read for an idle day when you do not want something too intense to read. The book does have its thoughtful and feminine side as it shows how Mona faces constantly changing attitudes of the people around her before and even after her second marriage.
A book too tenderly written for an author who is a man yet knows the troubling shifts that a woman faces all through her life, sacrificing every bit of herself for the people she loves.
Give this book a try.
Happy Reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2017
The title of the book suggests it to be drenched with emotion and passion of a middle age woman, but as you carry on reading you will find protagonist façade loosely falls apart.
PS: If you have ever read Hosseini, you might end up disappointed.
PS: If you have ever read Hosseini, you might end up disappointed.
September 20, 2008
I was quite excited to read The Story of a Widow because its author has also translated the epic adventures of Amir Hamza into English quite beautifully.
I think I expected the Story of a Widow to take its readers more into Mona's world outside of her the immediacy of her environement and into the fabric of the city, and I was a bit disappointed to find the characters of the book living out their lives in a world I would have no way to map, had I not been from it, and lived in it.
That said, the widow's struggles do come alive in a very reasonable story that deals with unreasonable human reactions and impsoitions on the lives of others. As a maiden novel its a great start but I'd love to see Musharraf Ali Farooqi develop his secondary characters a bit more (Tanya and Amber in this case), and to have made Salamat Ali more a mystery than he was --- for instance the twist in the novel, is predictable because Salamat Ali always appears more than a little dodgy. But perhaps that is what the author wanted, a little flavour into Mona's loneliness and her inability to look out for certain red flags despite her circumstances, or perhaps because of them.
It's a quick read, and definately an engaging one. But not yet a gem....
I think I expected the Story of a Widow to take its readers more into Mona's world outside of her the immediacy of her environement and into the fabric of the city, and I was a bit disappointed to find the characters of the book living out their lives in a world I would have no way to map, had I not been from it, and lived in it.
That said, the widow's struggles do come alive in a very reasonable story that deals with unreasonable human reactions and impsoitions on the lives of others. As a maiden novel its a great start but I'd love to see Musharraf Ali Farooqi develop his secondary characters a bit more (Tanya and Amber in this case), and to have made Salamat Ali more a mystery than he was --- for instance the twist in the novel, is predictable because Salamat Ali always appears more than a little dodgy. But perhaps that is what the author wanted, a little flavour into Mona's loneliness and her inability to look out for certain red flags despite her circumstances, or perhaps because of them.
It's a quick read, and definately an engaging one. But not yet a gem....
April 16, 2010
The story itself, I liked. But I do feel much more could have been done with the story. The plot and the way the author laid it out was fine by me, but there was something missing - some soul, you might say.
Things happened too easily, for one thing; rich or poor, marriages and divorces don't happen that easy.
This was about a fairly well to do widow; maybe that's what's missing. Had a poor woman been placed in the same situation, it would have been harder for her. And that, in itself, would have made the story more interesting - it would have given it more guts.
As it stands, it's one long soap opera - and an unbelievable one, at that.
Things happened too easily, for one thing; rich or poor, marriages and divorces don't happen that easy.
This was about a fairly well to do widow; maybe that's what's missing. Had a poor woman been placed in the same situation, it would have been harder for her. And that, in itself, would have made the story more interesting - it would have given it more guts.
As it stands, it's one long soap opera - and an unbelievable one, at that.
April 22, 2011
A widow finding new life in a relationship with a neighbour had to face opposition and criticism from her family and relatives. Through the process of discovering new freedoms and interest in life after a suffocating marital relationship, Mona came to understand her what she is looking for in her new life. A very readable story that moves quickly, written in flowing prose and descriptive characterization. For readers who like Anne Tyler’s Digging to America – a story of intimacy between mature adults.
October 2, 2011
At first, I was intrigued by this book, the story of a woman whose husband passes away unexpectedly, leading her to come out of her shell and engage more with life. It seemed like an interesting window onto a different culture (Pakistani). However, this author tells, tells, tells and NEVER shows. Not good. As the story went on, I became more and more judgmental about the main character's decisions and less and less interested in where the story was going. Finishing it was a relief. I will not be reading this author again.
March 10, 2012
I bought this book primarily for it's exquisite cover (not the one seen here)! A voyeuristic journey into the thoughts of a 50-something widow, as she struggles to find her way and define her identity, while negotiating the family 'minefield' and balancing her desires with societal norms. The author's matter of fact style is a refreshing change from the usual emotionally charged language I would expect for such a subject. Bollywood movie material methinks!
March 30, 2013
I was honestly disappointed as to how filmy the book ended up being!
A widow, who remarries a loser ... divorces him to finally find herself and her independence *eyes rolling* ... what a cliche !!! The subject matter had so much potential (middle aged widow, remarries, societal and family adversaries, different schools of thoughts shown, etc etc) ... which the writer has absolutely thrown down the drain trash with the finished product!
A widow, who remarries a loser ... divorces him to finally find herself and her independence *eyes rolling* ... what a cliche !!! The subject matter had so much potential (middle aged widow, remarries, societal and family adversaries, different schools of thoughts shown, etc etc) ... which the writer has absolutely thrown down the drain trash with the finished product!
May 20, 2015
The story is rather charming--Karachi widow in middle life starts to figure out who she is and awaken to her own needs and desires--but the prose is rather limited in its effects; there are depths to Mona's experience, but not much in her presentation, let alone in the prose. The diction is very simple and Farooqi has a tendency to tell rather than show. It would make a great book for ESL students. That's not a terrible thing, and I did like it, but I would have liked a little more depth.
January 13, 2016
Written in simple, beautiful prose, Story of a Widow is a lovely little book detailing events in the life of a widow after the death of her overbearing and dominating husband. We are privileged to watch as the widow unfurls her wings slowly and takes her first steps and missteps and for the first time in her life, begins to live.
Delightful.
Delightful.
December 27, 2016
Started of really promising. But somewhere lost the grip and the emotional depth. Mona seemed to be an emotionally deficient personality all of a sudden. From the mid the book started to have a formula feel to it. Not criticizing negatively but on the note that this could have been a much deeper emotional journey.
August 8, 2010
This book was good and gave insight into living in an Asian country can be like for a woman and a widow.
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