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Hot Cross Buns: A Memoir
In the bustling streets of 1980s Karachi, amidst the echoes of political upheaval and societal transformations, a young Christian child's journey unfolds in "Hot Cross A Memoir."
This poignant work takes readers on a captivating voyage through a pivotal decade in Pakistan, where the shadows of an Islamic dictatorship give way to the hopeful light of Benazir Bhutto's democratic leadership.
Through a series of heart-stirring true stories, the author weaves a rich tapestry of childhood experiences that resonate with the innocence of youth, the complexity of navigating diverse cultural landscapes, and the indomitable spirit of resilience. Each narrative is a window into a world where the lines between faiths blur, friendships are formed in unlikely places, and the simple joys of life are found amidst the most challenging circumstances.
"Hot Cross A Memoir" is not just a recounting of events; it is an intimate exploration of Christian identity and belonging in a Muslim world, and the enduring light of hope in times of darkness. From the vibrant markets and bustling alleyways of Karachi to the quiet moments of introspection and growth, this memoir offers a unique glimpse into a time and place that shaped the author's perspective on life and the world around him.
As much a historical document as it is a personal journey, this book captures the essence of a city and a country at a crossroads, seen through the eyes of a child whose experiences transcend the ordinary. It is a story of finding beauty in the mundane, lessons in adversity, and strength in diversity.
Embark on this unforgettable journey through "Hot Cross A Memoir" and discover the resilience of a child's spirit, and a testament to the enduring light of childhood innocence in a world that's constantly evolving.
Perfect for readers who religious and historical memoirsChristian true stories and biographiesPersonal tales of growth and resilienceInsights into Pakistani history and societyStories of childhood innocence and adventure
Dive into this beautifully narrated memoir and let the stories of a Karachi childhood inspire and move you. Get your copy today!
This poignant work takes readers on a captivating voyage through a pivotal decade in Pakistan, where the shadows of an Islamic dictatorship give way to the hopeful light of Benazir Bhutto's democratic leadership.
Through a series of heart-stirring true stories, the author weaves a rich tapestry of childhood experiences that resonate with the innocence of youth, the complexity of navigating diverse cultural landscapes, and the indomitable spirit of resilience. Each narrative is a window into a world where the lines between faiths blur, friendships are formed in unlikely places, and the simple joys of life are found amidst the most challenging circumstances.
"Hot Cross A Memoir" is not just a recounting of events; it is an intimate exploration of Christian identity and belonging in a Muslim world, and the enduring light of hope in times of darkness. From the vibrant markets and bustling alleyways of Karachi to the quiet moments of introspection and growth, this memoir offers a unique glimpse into a time and place that shaped the author's perspective on life and the world around him.
As much a historical document as it is a personal journey, this book captures the essence of a city and a country at a crossroads, seen through the eyes of a child whose experiences transcend the ordinary. It is a story of finding beauty in the mundane, lessons in adversity, and strength in diversity.
Embark on this unforgettable journey through "Hot Cross A Memoir" and discover the resilience of a child's spirit, and a testament to the enduring light of childhood innocence in a world that's constantly evolving.
Perfect for readers who religious and historical memoirsChristian true stories and biographiesPersonal tales of growth and resilienceInsights into Pakistani history and societyStories of childhood innocence and adventure
Dive into this beautifully narrated memoir and let the stories of a Karachi childhood inspire and move you. Get your copy today!
145 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 30, 2024
You think you know someone...Boy are you wrong!
Anthony Permal was a friend with whom I shared some good memories as members of the pop culture scene in the United Arab Emirates, frequently meeting at the Middle East Film and Comic Con and as members of the group Hobby Nation. A well-spoken, fine young man who emanated immense vibes of positive energy whenever he stepped foot in a room. I happened to pick up this book at its launch event...about an hour or so after his memorial service. He had passed away just a few days prior due to a heart attack, aged 44.
Hot Cross Buns brought forward a side of Anthony that was unknown probably to most of us at Hobby Nation, and certainly to myself. Until I'd read the book, I had no real idea of the sort of adventures he'd had during his life, how he went through everything with the same warm heart as he brought forth with him from childhood and, historically, that there ever were anything such as Pakistani Christians. Even through all the years of living in a society as cosmopolitan as Dubai's for thirty-five years, never was I aware of the existence of this small but significant demographic in what seemed to be a staunchly Muslim country.
But therein lay the crux of this memoir. Anthony recounts the stories that shaped his childhood growing up in Karachi's Christian community, how solid their relationships were as they went through life practically as one big family, how cooperation between them was second nature and, most importantly, how there were absolutely no qualms between them and their Muslim neighbours. One chapter even lovingly describes some of his Muslim and Hindu friends working together every year to set up a large Christmas star in their community. He weaves amazing stories, recollecting memories from as far back as he was five years old with such clear memory that, more than once, made me think "how on earth does he remember these things so vividy?!"
The pictures that Anthony paints of his childhood as the son of legendary runner John Permal, at one time known as "Pakistan's Fastest Man," is one of love and warmth but also of a revolution that refused to identify its legends or acknowledge its minorities. There's much than can be pondered upon when reading this book, but the fact of the matter is that it's far too short for this to be fairly spoiler-free review.
Hot Cross Buns is a book that will invoke smiles, that is for certain. What I will say is that two things ultimately didn't work to its favor, though. The first is that the book's language takes in a lot of Sub-Continental vocabulary that, if one did not hear them in passing conversation (as you would in a place like Dubai, where if you've lived long enough will become part of your day-to-day language anyway) they would have no idea what they meant in the context of their sentences. This, I feel, limits the expansion of the readership to those in the direct radius of the culture it represents.
The second and most important factor is a rather sad one. At its core, Hot Cross Buns appears to be nostalgic and longing for a national reunification of three main religious cultures in Pakistan, and does so well as it progresses. In its last few paragraphs, however, the book turns notably into a preach for Christianity itself and not the culture of which it was a part. It is a twist left to the very last few sentences that I felt, even as a secular liberal, defeated the purpose of the book's veneration of the Pakistan that Anthony misses.
Nevertheless, for anyone who knows, understands, or wishes to learn more about Pakistan, whether it is their root culture or just part of their daily social circle, Hot Cross Buns should be on your shelf. Perhaps it could serve as a form of enlightenment so sorely missed in this day and age.
May you Rest in Peace, Tony. Your biography at the end of the book, in fact gut-wrenchingly the very last sentence of the entire publication, states that you are "currently writing [your] next book." Well, I hope you still are somewhere up there, because personally I still want to know what more gems you have to offer.
Anthony Permal was a friend with whom I shared some good memories as members of the pop culture scene in the United Arab Emirates, frequently meeting at the Middle East Film and Comic Con and as members of the group Hobby Nation. A well-spoken, fine young man who emanated immense vibes of positive energy whenever he stepped foot in a room. I happened to pick up this book at its launch event...about an hour or so after his memorial service. He had passed away just a few days prior due to a heart attack, aged 44.
Hot Cross Buns brought forward a side of Anthony that was unknown probably to most of us at Hobby Nation, and certainly to myself. Until I'd read the book, I had no real idea of the sort of adventures he'd had during his life, how he went through everything with the same warm heart as he brought forth with him from childhood and, historically, that there ever were anything such as Pakistani Christians. Even through all the years of living in a society as cosmopolitan as Dubai's for thirty-five years, never was I aware of the existence of this small but significant demographic in what seemed to be a staunchly Muslim country.
But therein lay the crux of this memoir. Anthony recounts the stories that shaped his childhood growing up in Karachi's Christian community, how solid their relationships were as they went through life practically as one big family, how cooperation between them was second nature and, most importantly, how there were absolutely no qualms between them and their Muslim neighbours. One chapter even lovingly describes some of his Muslim and Hindu friends working together every year to set up a large Christmas star in their community. He weaves amazing stories, recollecting memories from as far back as he was five years old with such clear memory that, more than once, made me think "how on earth does he remember these things so vividy?!"
The pictures that Anthony paints of his childhood as the son of legendary runner John Permal, at one time known as "Pakistan's Fastest Man," is one of love and warmth but also of a revolution that refused to identify its legends or acknowledge its minorities. There's much than can be pondered upon when reading this book, but the fact of the matter is that it's far too short for this to be fairly spoiler-free review.
Hot Cross Buns is a book that will invoke smiles, that is for certain. What I will say is that two things ultimately didn't work to its favor, though. The first is that the book's language takes in a lot of Sub-Continental vocabulary that, if one did not hear them in passing conversation (as you would in a place like Dubai, where if you've lived long enough will become part of your day-to-day language anyway) they would have no idea what they meant in the context of their sentences. This, I feel, limits the expansion of the readership to those in the direct radius of the culture it represents.
The second and most important factor is a rather sad one. At its core, Hot Cross Buns appears to be nostalgic and longing for a national reunification of three main religious cultures in Pakistan, and does so well as it progresses. In its last few paragraphs, however, the book turns notably into a preach for Christianity itself and not the culture of which it was a part. It is a twist left to the very last few sentences that I felt, even as a secular liberal, defeated the purpose of the book's veneration of the Pakistan that Anthony misses.
Nevertheless, for anyone who knows, understands, or wishes to learn more about Pakistan, whether it is their root culture or just part of their daily social circle, Hot Cross Buns should be on your shelf. Perhaps it could serve as a form of enlightenment so sorely missed in this day and age.
May you Rest in Peace, Tony. Your biography at the end of the book, in fact gut-wrenchingly the very last sentence of the entire publication, states that you are "currently writing [your] next book." Well, I hope you still are somewhere up there, because personally I still want to know what more gems you have to offer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2026
Book Review: Hot Cross Buns by Anthony Permal
I was determined to finish reading Hot Cross Buns by Anthony Permal before Easter and I did. This memoir brought a wave of nostalgia that hit me straight in the chords. It felt as though my soul was wandering back to the early '90s on Petro D'Souza Road in Garden East, roaming the corridors of St. Lawrence's Convent once again.
The memoir is set in the Parish of St. Lawrence's Church and Faria Apartments, whose inhabitants were mainly Goanese and Tamil Catholics. I don’t think I’ve ever been this emotionally invested in a book before. It made me cry, cry out of intense nostalgia, cry out of pain for the loss of a place that is no longer the same. But it also made me cry out of shame and guilt for being part of the majority that made Anthony feel unsafe as a citizen of Pakistan.
We, as a nation, have failed Anthony and others in our minority communities. I long so deeply for the Karachi Anthony has portrayed in his memoir. It is the Karachi where interfaith harmony was alive and thriving. A city where Christians, Muslims, and other communities came together to build the biggest Christmas star ever. Where there was a long queue for Hot Cross Buns freshly baked in a Muslim-owned bakery.
Hot Cross Buns initially feels like a warm hug, but later, it feels like a slap. It hugs you with its precious Karachi memories, which I could fully relate to. The mention of my alma mater, its neighborhood, the Parish of St. Lawrence all of it holds a special place in my heart. But then it slaps you with the harsh reality of what we, as a nation, have become intolerant, divided, and far from the harmony we once had.
Anthony Permal is no longer with us. We were connected briefly on Twitter (X), and though our interaction was short, but it was meaningful. His untimely death shocked all his followers; he was so full of life. Unfortunately, he passed away just few days before his book launch. Even more heartbreaking is knowing that he was already working on his second book.
RIP, Anthony. Your words will live on.
I rate Hot Cross Buns a solid 5 stars. This memoir has inspired me to pen my own.
I was determined to finish reading Hot Cross Buns by Anthony Permal before Easter and I did. This memoir brought a wave of nostalgia that hit me straight in the chords. It felt as though my soul was wandering back to the early '90s on Petro D'Souza Road in Garden East, roaming the corridors of St. Lawrence's Convent once again.
The memoir is set in the Parish of St. Lawrence's Church and Faria Apartments, whose inhabitants were mainly Goanese and Tamil Catholics. I don’t think I’ve ever been this emotionally invested in a book before. It made me cry, cry out of intense nostalgia, cry out of pain for the loss of a place that is no longer the same. But it also made me cry out of shame and guilt for being part of the majority that made Anthony feel unsafe as a citizen of Pakistan.
We, as a nation, have failed Anthony and others in our minority communities. I long so deeply for the Karachi Anthony has portrayed in his memoir. It is the Karachi where interfaith harmony was alive and thriving. A city where Christians, Muslims, and other communities came together to build the biggest Christmas star ever. Where there was a long queue for Hot Cross Buns freshly baked in a Muslim-owned bakery.
Hot Cross Buns initially feels like a warm hug, but later, it feels like a slap. It hugs you with its precious Karachi memories, which I could fully relate to. The mention of my alma mater, its neighborhood, the Parish of St. Lawrence all of it holds a special place in my heart. But then it slaps you with the harsh reality of what we, as a nation, have become intolerant, divided, and far from the harmony we once had.
Anthony Permal is no longer with us. We were connected briefly on Twitter (X), and though our interaction was short, but it was meaningful. His untimely death shocked all his followers; he was so full of life. Unfortunately, he passed away just few days before his book launch. Even more heartbreaking is knowing that he was already working on his second book.
RIP, Anthony. Your words will live on.
I rate Hot Cross Buns a solid 5 stars. This memoir has inspired me to pen my own.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews