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Review by Ceri Oak,
This is a very readable book. To re-read it again, years after its original release has been a pleasure.
The opening pages (see P.16 top paragraph) set the scene for the arc of the whole book: we are told that for Nazneen ‘everything had to be borne. When …at age thirty-four … she could not wait for the future but had to make it for herself, she was as startled by her own agency as an infant who waves a clenched fist and strikes itself upon the eye.’
We are drawn in to Nazneen’s life in the East End immigrant community which is contrasted with her sister, Hasina's struggles and strife to make a living in Bangladesh. Hasina writes letters to Nazneen about horrific events which contrast with Nazneen’s stable family life. Hasina tells of a violent husband, desperate factory work, rape prostitution, acid attacks, environmental disaster and destitution. We read of sweatshops, machine girls, misogyny. Dhaka has ‘plastic bags blowing everywhere’. Women contract aids from ‘straying husbands. Child labour continues in the construction industry. We hear that Hasina’s ‘room’ in the Rashid household is actually a cupboard with a shelf, then even this space is taken over by the cook. Much later, Hasina runs off with the cook but we have the sense that the cook is not gentle or appreciative of Hasina and we continue to worry for her future. She has spent all of her adult life being taken advantage of, by men and women, despite working extremely hard.
This is a very readable book. To re-read it again, years after its original release has been a pleasure.
The opening pages (see P.16 top paragraph) set the scene for the arc of the whole book: we are told that for Nazneen ‘everything had to be borne. When …at age thirty-four … she could not wait for the future but had to make it for herself, she was as startled by her own agency as an infant who waves a clenched fist and strikes itself upon the eye.’
We are drawn in to Nazneen’s life in the East End immigrant community which is contrasted with her sister, Hasina's struggles and strife to make a living in Bangladesh. Hasina writes letters to Nazneen about horrific events which contrast with Nazneen’s stable family life. Hasina tells of a violent husband, desperate factory work, rape prostitution, acid attacks, environmental disaster and destitution. We read of sweatshops, machine girls, misogyny. Dhaka has ‘plastic bags blowing everywhere’. Women contract aids from ‘straying husbands. Child labour continues in the construction industry. We hear that Hasina’s ‘room’ in the Rashid household is actually a cupboard with a shelf, then even this space is taken over by the cook. Much later, Hasina runs off with the cook but we have the sense that the cook is not gentle or appreciative of Hasina and we continue to worry for her future. She has spent all of her adult life being taken advantage of, by men and women, despite working extremely hard.