LADIES' TAILOR

by Priya Hajela

This is a story of Gurdev and his cohort, a group of refugees who travel east from Pakistan after Partition. It is a tale of falling apart and coming together as the world burns around them.

Will Gurdev be successful in his new business of making garments for women? Will he find love after his wife and children leave his side? There may be uncertainty here, but there is also relentless hope.

Journey back in time and experience the refugee spirit as Ladies' Tailor captures you with all its romance, adventure and one man's iron will to not just survive, but to thrive with new beginnings.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Indian Literature, India, Historical

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2022

About the author

Priya Hajela is a fiction writer who lives in Pune, Goa, and New York with an entrepreneur husband and two tiny but ferocious dogs. Her son is an investigative journalist and her daughter is in college in the US, still wondering what she’s going to do. Priya graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College in Vermont in 2017 after a twenty-two year career in the corporate world and an MBA from Vanderbilt University (Owen School) in 1992.

Her corporate career began in the US where she worked for several telecommunications majors. She continued on the Telecommunications track in India from 2004 to 2015, when she decided to go back to school and take up writing.

Priya is the author of Ladies’ Tailor, a novel published by Harper Collins India. She has written and published several short stories - An Affair, in Indian Ruminations, The Tattoo Artist in Live Encounters, Daughters’ Revenge in Kitaab and The Storyteller in Muse India.

Reviews

[BOOKSTHATSTAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books which leave you wanting more. Based on the aftermath of Partition, this is the story of Gurdev, who traveled from Sukho, Pakistan, to India, along with the other refugees, and had to start his life all over again. This is a story of his determination, courage, and resilience. This is also a story of hope and adventure.

The first half was heartbreaking and heartwrenching to read. Amongst all the blood and loss, families struggled to safeguard each other, struggled to move ahead, leaving behind more than their home. Some had to leave their newborns, while some had to abandon the elderly. All they carried with them was hope. Gurdev left no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of his wife and sons. He even tried to persuade his parents to leave Lahore but to no avail.

He was well aware of the challenges he would have to face if he reached India safely. But he wasn't prepared for the abrupt leave of his wife and kids. Life had other plans for him.

This is a deeply moving and thought-provoking story of Gurdev, who had to start his life from scratch, twice. He didn't spend much time pondering over what he lost but continued to do what he knew best, making new connections. Even though he missed his family, he didn't let that affect his new mission, which was to bring Samir and Sultan, two boys who knew the finest embroidery, from Pakistan to India.

The second half was filled with new hope and adventure, and I loved how it picked up the pace and maintained an air of mystery throughout. The uncertainty made it a fantastic page-turner! The ending shook me, and it felt like a new beginning. And I really wanted to read more about this new world of Gurdev.

I found this to be a gripping and deeply moving story! I had two questions after reading it and got to know that its prequel is already in the works, which I feel would answer my questions. I'm so looking forward to reading it! And would love to read its sequel too!☺️

[Dalia (book_o_creativity) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The partition is inevitable and the bloodbath that will ensue. A separate nation for followers of Jinnah and fellow Muslims and a separate nation for Hindus. Gurdev is a part of a group of refugees who traveled east from Pakistan after Partition. Like everyone partition changed him, like all those around him, he struggles to survive where everything is set to change for good. Gurdev along with his family wants to start afresh but all of their fate is destined to change. Uncertainty looms in the air as everyone is looking after their vested interests. How will Gurdev find footings in this strange world where so much has changed?

"Ladie's Tailor" is a historical fiction revolving around the era of India Pakistan partition. The book set the stage for socio-cultural impact on people who were directly or indirectly forced to move from their land in the political whirlwind of freedom and demand of separate nation. This book focuses on certain characters to emphasise the plights of people and their day to day struggle for survival. What I really liked about the book is the story setting, it brought a unique perspective to look into that time. Very few wants to reminisce about this time of history because of it's dark nature but this book somehow brought a subtlety in the storytelling, however the plot is grim. Even though I like the setting the book didn't work for me that much. I found the plots jumping and confusing at places with too much unnecessary details. Characters grow very slowly, I was not connecting with them at first.

Coming to the writing, writing is good and simple but the narrative feels draggy. Sometimes detail oriented books as such with slow character progression is hard to get through. But it's a good portrayal of the chaos during partition. I would recommend this to intermediate to advance readers because of its slow, complex nature.

[♡ Diyasha ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐵𝑂𝑂𝐾 • 𝑅𝐸𝑉𝐼𝐸𝑊 • 𝐿𝐴𝐷𝐼𝐸𝑆' 𝑇𝐴𝐼𝐿𝑂𝑅

'𝐼𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑜 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛'

The uniqueness of this story lies in its title "Ladies' Tailor". The writer @priya.hajela wrote this story which she had learned from her grandparents. In this story of partition - India, and Pakistan - the refugees describe their own stories. ✨

The main protagonist of this novel, Gurdev is a refugee persona who wishes to settle down in India with his wife Simrat and two sons. They are the face of those who were murdered in a train compartment and led to lead their life with massive pessimism in the name of riots - their debauchery is enough to make this population realize what our real-life heroes did to give us freedom. 🌿

🥀 The story starts when Gurdev takes Simrat to the hospital for her treatment and she runs off with priceless diamonds that her mother-in-law blesses her. She takes her two boys with her. But it raises the question"Why?" With this, it takes time to realize that Gurdev doesn't even aim to look after them thoroughly. 🥀

Through his journey, Gurdev elicits the abilities and beliefs that assist him to stand against his dominant position. He meets Noor with whom he realizes his faults in his early life and tries to work out them. Gurdev - Noor portrays the realization of partition, it vigorously dominates the feeling of two countries. Does the main question arise how they can go to Pakistan? Or is it possible to complete their task smoothly? Will Gurdev express his feelings to Noor? 🦋

From a literary perspective, I'll bestow 🌟🌟🌟.9/ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ otherwise, 🌟🌟🌟🌟/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

[Ankita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Priya Hajela pays homage to her roots in Ladies Tailor - a story set at the time of the India Pakistan partition. I have read a few partition stories. The underlying theme in most is the struggle and sorrow. These are tales of betrayal, most bringing out the worst in humanity. Not Ladies Tailor though. While it touches upon the atrocities, the bloodshed and the pain, it does so to set up the context. At it’s heart, the story is a tale of love, of coming to terms with your circumstances, and even making the best out of it. The book touches upon the political and social climate in a blink and you will miss it way. It delves more into relationships formed. The lead characters are individualistic, and the women do not hide in the shadows of the men. In fact, the male lead might occupy more space on the pages, but the women characters are striking.

I liked the book, in fact I read thru it really fast, because it is the kind of story that makes you want to know what next. I got invested in the lives of the characters. And that, is the mark of a story well told.

[Shriti Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyone who was leaving India or Pakistan had to submit their ration card at the centre and everyone coming into Delhi had to get a new one – to ensure an uninterrupted supply of rations. Simrat had cut out the notice from a newspaper, but Gurdev had laughed.
‘These people … the colonists have gone but the colonial bureaucracy lives on. People’s lives are ending, their entire worth stamped out of existence and these people are worried about ration cards."

It's really a 3.5/5 stars from my side because the story drew me in, and then spat me out towards the end, with so many questions!

[Shalini Mullick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Priya , as she tells the story of Gurdev, writes with great detail about the times and tribulations of the partition. In doing so, she brings alive the stories that me (and many of us) heard from both sets of grandparents over and over again. To write about such a difficult time in history is not easy, and she leaves no detail unmentioned-to the point that sometimes, the pain and suffering seems too close. But that is a brief feeling. Because she manages to show a resilience, a spirit, a tenacity that is strong enough to override the pain. Just as it must have been for millions of refugees on both sides of the border. She also weaves (delibereate choice of word!!) in the theme of women's dressing and fasion with equal detail. This is a book that speaks of history, yet is so very relevant in todays time. If you are a reader of historical fiction, or you enjoy reading about India-the land and her people, do pick this up. And if, like me, you have family who was affected by the events of 1947 , this is a must read.

[Aza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books make you fall in love with the characters, some with the stories and some with the writing. This one made me a fan of Priya Hajela's writing.

Don't get me wrong, the characters and story were
all equally mesmerising but the way it was penned
made all the difference. The book follows our
protagonist, Gurdev, a man who is from Lahore but is
forced to move to Delhi due to partition. This book
showcases the hardships people faced during those
days. How difficult it was to leave your entire life
behind and start a new one in a new place.

Another thing I liked was how we also got stories of
many side characters which was interesting to read. At times I forgot I was reading fiction and not a memoir. It all felt so real to me. I didn't exactly liked Gurdev's character but I understood him. I admire him for his determination, the way he didn't quiver even once and when things started to change in the country he went with the change.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and would highly
recommend it.

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ladies Tailor by Priya Hajela follows the story of Gurdev who runs away from the Divided India and Pakistan as he could no longer stay on the Pakistani side of Punjab and amidst of losing his family, Gurudev marries Simrat who leaves him after crossing the border and among all the violence and setting base between refugee camps Gurudev finds himself investing in a business of making clothes for women called Ladies Tailor.

.

Coming to the story, the author shows you the graphic description of the violence that took place in Muslim, Hindu and Sikh households and the mental trauma the characters the writer slowly introduces you to.

There is fear and hatred in the narrative and displaced people living in unknown circumstances with many secrets.

Coming to the storytelling, while the topic is a heavy one ,the lack of depth in characters in the beginning didn't connect me to the characters. There are humorous instances in the story .but the narrative is abrupt and while the story is an intriguing one connecting everything back to the Ladies Tailor, there was so much scope for telling more about the characters and their backstory apart from their tragedy in partition. 

Gurudev and Noor are explored more, while they get together to head to Pakistan to pick up the treasures of their time,the two embroidery boys who will help in growing the Ladies Tailor 's business.

Through the story one also realizes the importance of the smallest of works and the economical fight between the two countries that had to be taken by the rich and the affluent of the countries.
Noor's attraction to Gurudev also tells us about the loneliness many women faced either by separation or death.While the ending is mysterious, as a reader I expected more of fluidity in the story and more to the story than the piercing trauma faced by families across two nations.
There was lot of scope for better language and though mysterious I didn't understand why the ending was the way it was.

It's a good book if you want to understand how the simple common man stood on its feet in the next five years of the partition and wish to understand the urgency of running prominent businesses and the sense of community India was able to make which made a lot of difference for the muslims living in India and what the Britishers left behind as a political gimmick giving the extremists of different communities an opportunity to destroy an entire lineage.

[Anil Dhingra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book centred around Gurdev, an educated, principled Sikh living in Pakistan till he is forced to migrate to India due to the partition in 1947.
The author has written the book extremely well, sidestepping the violent incidents of the partition with a brief mention.
She focuses on the positivity, the love, relations formed in the migrating kafila, in refugee camps.
The strength of the characters is immense, the author goes into the background of many of them to show how life was prepartion and post it in both India and Pakistan.
Another bonus is the description of parts of Delhi with their history. How nizamuddin got it's predominantly Muslim population. How model town had the richest staying, how Khan market was formed and allotted.
So much to learn from the book. It is also a story very well narrated, interesting at all times.
Strongly recommend especially to the residents of Delhi and lovers of historical fiction with lots of real facts thrown in.

[Gaurav Jaiswal · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Priya Hajela's captivating novel, "Ladies Tailor," we are transported to the tumultuous era of India's Partition, a time of upheaval, loss, and the rebuilding of lives. It is a story that resonates with the universal themes of displacement, identity, and the quest for belonging. Author's skillful storytelling and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions make this novel a poignant and on intriguing read. The story revolves around the life of protagonist named as Gurdev Singh, a Sikh refugee who finds himself displaced from his home in Pakistan and forced to start anew in Delhi. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Gurdev finds solace and companionship in Noor, a Muslim woman who shares his entrepreneurial spirit. Author skillfully weaves together the personal and the historical, capturing the profound impact of Partition on individuals and communities. The characters, both major and minor, are vividly portrayed, their stories adding depth and nuance to the narrative. This novel is a valuable addition to the literature on Partition, offering a nuanced and personal perspective on the human cost of this historical event.

[Aparna Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Some skirmishes, loud voices, a few deaths in the heat of passion, those were possible. But large-scale massacres, butcheries, annihilation of entire clans, that was beyond Gurdev’s imagination – but it happened and he participated like everyone else”

Gurdev and his family arrived at the Lahore station. His wife followed him closely holding his Kurta with their children tugged on both sides of her clothing. All kinds of sights and stench greeted them. People yearned for their loved ones and others who were still with them held them closer. The rise in religious uprisings forced Gurdev and his family to flee Sukho, their home of 10 years. From there, they reached Amritsar with a Kafila (a mass gathering of people)

Gurdev was a man with a plan and had a definite purpose in his stride. But ultimately he had to surrender to the play of destiny. He was entangled in an alliance with Nirmal, a Ladies Tailor who sewed clothes only for refugee housewives and Sangat, a man he met at the refugee camp.

When I read the first few chapters, I realized how little I knew about the repercussions of partition and the condition of refugee camps. The prose was verbose, and difficult to sink in, but once it did, it was unputdownable. With evocative words, Priya paints a vivid picture of times when people lived in uncertainty and fear. The scenes depicted in a refugee camp were heart-wrenching to read. Priya has sketched her characters in detail right from their clothing and then, their distinct qualities. The fabric of the clothing and the upholstery of the houses exuded royalty.

The female characters who were not demure had a likeable quality associated with them. Their actions will make you feel empathetic towards them. Even the ones who had small parts left a strong impression on me.

Ladies Tailor is a story of hope, ambition and starting afresh all whilst destiny had turned its back on you. It symbolizes the brotherhood of different cultures amid the searing heat of partition spreading on both sides.

[Tanushri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this gripping book, the author, Priya Hajela, has used India's partition exodus as background for the story of Gurdev, the protagonist, who is emotionally strong and practical. He, alongwith his wife and children, manages to cross the border for Delhi dodging all communal violence and killings. But then he faces new problems.
Alongwith few of his refugee camp friends he sets up a new business of Ladies' tailoring.

The book takes the reader successfully to the difficult times of partition, massacre and conditions in refugee camps.
It successfully depicts the fact that the common man, no matter where, needs the most basic things to feel safe and happy. This doesn't depends on border or any religion.

The partition times were, of course, too tough on people from both sides no matter what. People did things which they regret later. People left thier ancestrol homes, villages to be safe. Some helped their neighbours and friends, some didn't. But at the end, everyone suffered directly or indirectly.

This book is a definite read based on Indian partition times. It will keep you wishing for more. Read this engrossing book if you want to feel the pain, fear, grit and determination of common man during those challenging times.

[Ankita · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read a book that I just couldn’t put down. Felt like I was watching a movie but with zero intervals. The characters are so well written, makes you almost wonder what would you do, if you were in their shoes. I had a big smile with the ending of the book, made me wonder- so many people just want to track their way back to their home….

[Ravina P · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A very lighthearted beautiful story about love for stitching and embroidery 🪡... Except that, whatever is mentioned or discussed in the story seemed unmatched ... Otherwise a beautiful story 🌻

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how complex and smart all of these characters were!! It is really rare for me to start out completely disliking a character and then be completely rooting for them in under 300 pages, but Ladies’ Tailor succeeded in this, all while providing a fun heist-esque adventure plot line.

[Jyotika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priya Hajela's first novel is about Gurdev, and his cohort of refugees who travel from Pakistan to India during India's partition. This is one of those stories which transports you into a different time and leaves you wanting more. It is a gripping and deeply moving story filled with hope and adventure. Thoroughly researched, the details and descriptions were real and touching. The characters came alive in my mind and I can't wait for a sequel.
This was a fantastic page-turner and the pace picked up in the second half. I loved reading this book and the author's style of writing.

[Eschargot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last December (2021) I was in India for a wedding and there were a few elders who were discussing the terrible times during partition. Priya’s book took me back to those stories of hopelessness, struggles, and resilience of the survivors.
Her first book! Congratulations to Priya (she is a dear friend).

[Thomas M. Puckett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel so much, I didn't realize how much I was learning until I was finished! The characters are complex and say and do surprising, I found them so real. The storyline is unique as the setting, and the overall atmosphere is suspenseful occasionally relieved by moments of comedy. The ending was such a surprise! I felt transported to another time and place. Great read!

[Andrew Abranches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book set as it was during the tumultuous period of pre and post-Partition India, a period that forced a wide and diverse swath of people from across the economic strata to leave ancestral homes, farms, and businesses to avoid finding themselves as minority groups amid the formation of two newly independent nations - India and Pakistan. The author does a masterful job of telling this story through the eyes of the main character - Gurdev. The first few chapters lay the groundwork by getting you acquainted with the characters before the story takes a turn that forms the main part of the story. I loved the characters of Gurdev, Noor, Nirmala, and Jagat. Excellent book, looking out for more from the same author.

[Raj Hajela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biased, here! But I genuinely loved the book!!

[Karman · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf halfway through 🤩

[Shruti Chhabra]

Ladies Tailor, the debut Novel of Priya Haleja. It starts with the partition of India and Pakistan, but it is not a book about the partition. It is a book about building the life that the country's division had destroyed in more ways than one can count. But the story of Ladies Tailor is the story of rebuilding life brick by brick and piece by piece. It is the story of Gurdev, Simrat, Nirmal Singh, Sangram Singh, Anandi, and Noor. It is the story of courage and hope.
Gurdev, a Sikh living in west Punjab's Sukho, is married with two kids and lives a peasant life. He was born into an affluent family and had the best education, but due to differences in ideologies with his parents, he parted ways with them long ago and lived a life totally unrecognizable from his former one. Hie perfectly calm life is perturbed when India and Pakistan's division is announced, and Gurudev finds himself on the wrong side. He somehow makes it across the border with his family. A land that is unknown and yet home. What follows is adventure, struggle, and uncertainty. With great effort, Gurudev settles down, but a twist changes his destiny and topples his life upside down.
Down yet not out, Gurdev gathers what is left of his life, joins hands with his friends in the refugee camp, and forms a business alliance. One of the partners, Nirmal Singh, was a skilled tailor working in Lahore before the division and was good at his work. They start with khadi, the cloth of patriotism. Soon they realize that without variety, they will quickly become mundane. Nirmal Singh is adamant that he would not work with anyone other than the two teenage embroiders he had been working with in Lahore and treated as his own kids.
Gurudev and Noor, the elite Muslim from Delhi who has taken fancy to Gurudev, begin a dangerous journey to Pakistan to get the two boys out.
Now, Priya has an excellent understanding of character building. Reading through the book, every character is aptly described.
"Simrat was a tall woman with square shoulders, not gaunt but with edges. She didn't get her shape from her short and round mother. She was flat, front and back, like a narrow two-dimensional animated rectangle with a small head perched on top. Despite all that symmetry, it was not a pretty face. But it was a kind face, one that you would want to tell your story to."
Priya leaves no room for imagination; she paints her characters accurately, the way she wants them to be. Simrat is a village girl who is not a damsel in distress. She is a male version of Gurdev under the calm layers. She was a leader in her own right, and the way she takes charge of the cooking in the refugee camp in Delhi highlights it.
"She knew he didn't think much more of her than a woman whose job it was to birth children, cook and clean, and do as he said. It made her angry, but she kept her anger to herself. She had a problem with her temper from when she was a child but she had learnt to suppress her impetuous streak and go along. She had learnt to grind her teeth and go along. She had learnt to clench her insides and go along. And after her marriage to Gurdev, all she did was go along."
On the other hand, Noor was born and brought up in a progressive and cultured Muslim family in Delhi. She is an admirer and collector of beautiful things around her. Her character is in contrast with Simrat in every possible way.
"Noor was a reformist Muslim who had studied at Aligarh Muslim University. She was an intellectual, an interesting woman, or so she had fashioned herself to be. She wore her black hair long, parted in the middle, and swept over to one side. If she went out, sometimes she wore a different style of salwar kameez, the shirt more fitted, the salwar with circles of fabric, Patiala-style, and covered her head the way Sikh women do. Sometimes, she wore her dupatta down and put a red bindi on her forehead sprinkled a little sindur in her parting. She was comfortable modifying her clothing like this."
Priya's narrative has a lyrical sound to her. When she describes a situation, she uses the most unusual words that both amaze and fascinates me as a reader.
"Both men were bare-headed, their scant grey hair tied up in tiny buns atop their heads, kept in place with neon-green and pink rubber bands that looked as out of place on those grizzled faces as a cigarette would in the mouth of a little girl."

"The October sun was rising, warm but not blistering, poking its elongated fingers into the compartment, raising dust particles that swam this way and that."

"Noor got joy out of looking at beautiful things, beautiful people, and beautiful scenes. She appreciated comfort and a sense of things being where they should be, without excess."

However, specific details caught my eye that I found not so authentic. The book talks about India and Pakistan of the early 1950s, still in the infant stage, struggling to stand on their feed after two hundred years of slavery. Gurudev talks about getting samosa in brown paper bags and chutney in a plastic bag, which I think is incorrect. During that era, merchants still used leaf bags; paper and plastic bags had not caught up. The same goes for the chai in paper cups. Merchants used earthen pots or kulhads for pretty much everything liquid. The author mentions the cafe with Ac in Pakistan where Noor has her cup of tea and scones. Now I did some research and found out air conditioners blew my mind. Post-independence in the 1950's people didn't have coolers, let alone air conditioners. Electricity was sparse in electronic gadgets, not modern, and so was the electrical load. How on earth a cafe in Lahore had an airconditioner?
Priya's writing is lucid. It has a certain class. She doesn't lament over partition too much. She moves on. Her portrayal of post-partition India is not gory. It is full of nostalgia but is also full of progress and positivity in the present and future. She knows where to incorporate the right amount of twists to keep the readers hooked. Though at places, I feel that certain additions to the story were unnecessary. The book ends, but as a reader, you still want it to go on. The book lingers on in my mind. This is a book of hope, love, and much more. I had so many questions and wanted to know much more. I heard that a prequel is on its way, but frankly speaking, I would like to read a sequel rather than a prequel.
It is undoubtedly one of my best reads of this year. I strongly recommend it.

[Preity · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ladies’ Tailor” is a type of book, which you can pick up any time and will be engrossed in it like a real spectator of the whole journey. This is not a regular story of post-partition scenes of India and Pakistan. You will get to encounter different stages of refugee’s life, the conditions of natives and their righteous demands, the ultimate paradigm of neighborhood, the uncalled broken relations and the rise of new entrepreneurship of Indian economies.

The story revolves around a refugee, Gurudev who showcased the real market of livelihood across the borders. Through his eyes, you can see the hypothetical social stratification, happening around the people of east and west Punjab. How the situations were contradictory for both sides of the boundaries. How people were killed just on the basis of their genetic labels and structures. Author has shown an abundance of guts through Gurudev, how he had managed to move to another so-called-new-country, and made new arrangements from scratch. The amount of political clashes on little things like ration cards, camps for refugees etc. are shown clearly with fictional facts and observations.

Also, the author has evidently presented the key role of man and woman, played in those times. At one place, where men were supposed to look out for external arrangements, women were playing a crucial responsibility of maintaining the sustainable chores. From the small-scale mundane jobs like toilet, bathing etc. , to large-scale duty of earning every penny, everything has been demonstrated to highlight the lives of refugees(in their own country!).

I liked the inner essence of those partition times that the author has presented. Every detail of the royal military and the war time conditions referred to two phases of Indian citizens - one who were against British rulers from the starting, and other who were working under them and living a privileged life like them. But after partition, both of the categories suffered the same consequences.

“Ladies Tailor” is not only the story of partition times, but also the common man’s struggles. How Gurudev set up a new life, how he failed to hold on to his family, how he switched his life to new business in which he had no knowledge, how he joined the cohort to fulfill an under-cover mission. You have to read the full story to get the gist of the main narration.

The additional fact of contentment is the beauty of Indian and Pakistan’s geographic land, the similar tastes of food and market, and the bond between people. I enjoyed this the most.

Literally, I am totally impressed by Priya Hajela’s selection of this story, along with the actual happening of the historical events. Her choice of words are apt and nostalgic.

I totally recommend this book to everyone. Just read it, you will not regret, I promise.

[Saumya · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ladies Tailor" is a touching tale centered around Gurdev, a refugee who dreams of a peaceful life in India with his wife Simrat and their two sons. Their story mirrors the struggles of countless individuals who endured violence and upheaval during the partition of India. This novel serves as a poignant tribute to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters.

Priya, the author, skillfully delves into the intricacies of that turbulent time in history. Her writing vividly captures the emotions and challenges faced by those who lived through it. Reading her words feels like listening to our grandparents' stories, told with unwavering detail. The pain and suffering are depicted so realistically that it sometimes feels overwhelming.

The pacing of the story is perfectly balanced, drawing readers in with its well-crafted suspense and emotional depth. The atmosphere Priya creates transports you back in time, making you feel like you're living the events alongside the characters. Speaking of characters, Gurdev and Simrat are beautifully developed, and their journey resonates deeply with readers. You can't help but root for them as they navigate the trials and tribulations of their lives.

However, amidst the hardships, Priya beautifully portrays the resilience, spirit, and tenacity of the people who refused to surrender to despair. It's a compelling narrative that reminds us of the strength that can emerge from the darkest of times. "Ladies Tailor" is a must-read that immerses you in history while highlighting the enduring human spirit and does so with impeccable pacing, a rich atmosphere, and well-drawn, relatable characters.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ladies’ Tailor takes place in 1947 during the India-Pakistan partition. Gurdev migrates with his wife Simrat and their two boys to Delhi on a dangerous journey that displays the violence between the Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus. I have not read very much about this time in history and Hajela paints a vivid picture of the migrant camps and shattered lives. I was particularly moved by the women who lost their husbands/parents and had to rebuild their lives as well as abandoned babies and elderly parents left behind.

Gurdev is portrayed as a tall strong Sikh who doesn’t display his feelings and has anger issues. After his wife leaves him taking along their boys, he can’t be bothered to find them. Instead, he decides to start a tailoring business with some new friends and embarks on a new journey. At this point, I really wanted to follow his wife Simrat instead. It was difficult to not know the outcome of her story.

The group of tailoring friends is formed and they embark on a plan to build their business. I enjoyed the descriptions of the fabrics and embroidery but wished the characters were better developed. Gurdev and a woman Noor go back to Pakistan to retrieve two boys known for their embroidery skills. This part of the book is fast-paced and engaging but the open ending left me wanting more. I really wanted an author’s note to provide more details on the likelihood of secret police tracking people and some factual information that drove the story.

I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Partition. A word that accompanies grief and loss when one looks back at the history of undivided India. A home that was diverse and rich. Priya Hajela has narrated a beautifully hopeful story of those who were ruined by the divide but decided to rebuild a life with labour and dignity.

Ladies’ Tailor is a story driven by Gurdev’s plans to leave Pakistan with his family and to come to the Indian side. It’s not just the story of a family witnessing the horrors of the divide on their way to India but a portrayal of human flaws in the most natural manner.

Greed, abuse and gore are truths that can never be denied while describing this dark phase of history but this story is a progressive premise that aims to accept and move forward, to build a resilient future with all that is available, the scraps that can be retrieved.

Gurdev, Simrat, Noor, Nirmal, Sangat and the many other supporting characters build this story with a well-developed personality that not only add value to the premise but also display perseverance in various facets. Primarily, Ladies’ Tailor is an enterprise that takes shape when three men from the refugee camp come together and pool in all resources, they can to make a living. This ambition takes a dangerous turn but with rewards well deserved.

I simply love the fact that this book stays true to history in its factual context and imbibes the elements seamlessly to make this fictional account real. Presence of peaceful coexistence, progressive ideologies, acceptance, friendship and hope bring a charming grace to this splendid read.

This is a story about reviving humanity in inhuman times and we need hopeful tales like these! ❤️

[Vandana Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

LADIES’ TAILOR: A BOOK REVIEW

Priya Hajela’s partition narrative, “Ladies Tailor,” is patiently crafted, or ‘embroidered’ as the cliche fits, and written with finely judged details that delight and astonish. Travelling with Gurdev, an angry Sikh man, on his journey of interrupted life and livelihood, you get deeply involved in solid drama and settings of a post-Independence India and Pakistan.

Hajela tells this story with pitch-perfect precision, dramatic tension, and subtle wit, never losing sight of the cataclysmic transmigration that caused people to lose homes, friends, and family to become refugees in their own country. The linear narration fits appropriately into an ongoing passage of time, which was a bloodied, shameful chapter no one could turn their clocks back on. Ghost trains between Lahore and Amritsar, Railways stations, hold-alls, steel trunks, carbon papers between sheets of bureaucratic paperwork, and stowing cash in hidden pockets become objects of time that speak powerfully of the scene building of a long-gone era, as well as Hajela’s attention to reconstructing a painful chapter in the history of the two nations.

Luminous sentences muted with pathos move this intriguing plot forward with stunning human insight and will resonate with so many of us who have absorbed them like sponges while growing up. Fine lines like, “The refugees were the refugees and would remain so for generations,” or “He had always made all the decisions and told her what he had done, sometimes not even that,” “There is a thing called ‘zaika,’ an Urdu word that means taste. But it means a particular taste,” stay in the reader’s mind, long after you have been knocked over by the novel’s unexpected ending. In these moments brimming with insight, you realize why we engage with fiction in the first place: to know ourselves and our world, a little better.

What took my breath away, though, were the cast of characters, who get so familiar and intimate, that by the middle of the book, you cheer them on in their gutsy out-of-the-box plan to rebuild their lives and livelihood. The interfaith, messy relationship between Noor and Gurdev is reminiscent of Sarojini Naidu’s “An Indian Love Song,” speaking of a wistful time when this blending, although warned against, was what stitched the fabric of a secular India.

“And what are thy shrines, and kine and kindred,
what are thy gods to me?
Love recks not of feuds and bitter follies, of stranger, comrade or kin,
Alike in his ear sound the temple bells
and the cry of the muezzin.”
(Sarojini Naidu, An Indian Love Song)

If there is one partition narrative you wish to read in this 75th year of independent India, let it be this full-hearted one.

[Rehana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my next partition based fiction that I read for the month of august. This book was more about the after effects of partition which put people under immense emotional turbulence. The book beautifully paints a picture of a post partition India and Pakistan which led to the start of a communal and ethnic calamity on either sides of the border. Partition might mean various things to various people in politics but what was it like for a common man, a man who wanted to just run his business and make a living or a lady waiting for her husband and children to return home or for the elderly couple who built that beautiful house with all their life savings or for the kids who just wanted to be at school next day?! This book will precisely give you an insight about it.

Gurudev is leaving to Delhi from Pakistan with his wife and kids leaving behind his parents and his dirty secrets. He meets Nirmal, the ladies tailor in Delhi and ventures into a joint business and he is set out on a mission back to Pakistan that needs to be done for the sake of his profession. Noor, a young daring woman who lost her husband to the border violence joins Gurudev in his mission.

Pros: A suspenseful book on the relationship between India and Pakistan after partition.
The characters were all portrayed brilliantly and were believable. Gurudev was depicted as a common man who would do things based on the circumstances.
The women in the book except a few, especially Noor was brilliant. I loved her courage and sassiness.
The book brought out the consequences of partition in a presentable and emotional way. There were so many facts that I was not aware of and learning them was an experience by itself.
Loved the cover of the book.
It was fast paced and a perfect binge read.
It stayed in relevance to the history not distorting facts.

Cons: The ending was bitter sweet and I did not know if I am fully in terms with it. I know it was made with a purpose but could have had a great impact otherwise.
The last penultimate chapters were a little stretchy and the suspense was running out but the last chapter made up for it.

[Narayani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Ladies Tailor
Author: Priya Haleja
Genre: Fiction
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My Rating: 5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This captivating story set against the backdrop of partition beautifully captures the struggles of that era and the resilience of its characters.

The author skillfully depicts the heart-wrenching decision Gurdev's wife makes, which tugs at the reader's emotions. However, destiny takes Gurdev on a remarkable journey, where he forms an unconventional family with a group of individuals.
The transformation of this group into a ladies' tailor business, supporting one another, adds depth to the narrative.

The dynamic between Gurdev and Noor is a highlight, and the desire to know more about Anandi leaves readers eager for further exploration.

Priya's meticulous attention to detail, including the vivid portrayal of locations and emotions, enhances the overall reading experience.
The author's writing style is exceptional, immersing readers in the story's world and making each scene come to life.
Particularly, the visit to Pakistan for the embroidery artist is a poignant moment that evokes powerful emotions.

In conclusion, this is an outstanding read that I enthusiastically recommend to all.
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[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies’ Tailor is a vivid story of courage and determination in the face of racial hatred in post-partition India. It’s also the saga of Sima, who, despite traditional societal pressures, bravely choses to take her children away from an abusive marriage. Meanwhile Sima’s husband, Gurdev, must rebuild his personal and work life after losing his family. The book is so engrossing that I read all of it in one sitting. Strongly recommend!