BOOKS WE RECOMMEND THIS WEEK

From a story collection on Austen themes that offers a fascinating look into Pakistan’s beau monde and nouveau riche society, to a book of love poetry featuring mesmerising calligraphy, our book picks this week, curated by Chirdeep Malhotra

CONTEMPORARY FICTION

“Austenistan”, edited by Laaleen Sukhera

This book is a collection of seven stories, inspired by Jane Austen and set in contemporary Pakistan. The stories are romantic, uplifting, witty, and heartbreaking by turn, which pay homage to the world's favourite author in their own uniquely local way. Laaleen Sukhera, the book’s editor is also the founder of the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan (JASP).
The book description reads, “People love Jane Austen all over the world, but in Pakistan, women can relate to her novels and her world better than anywhere else”. With Austen themes which segue beautifully into Pakistani social life, this book is a fascinating look into contemporary Pakistani high society.



MEMOIR

“Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor's Reflections on Race and Medicine” by Damon Tweedy

This is a doctor's passionate and profound memoir of his experience grappling with race, bias, and the unique health problems of black Americans.
When Damon Tweedy begins medical school,he envisions a bright future where his segregated, working-class background will become largely irrelevant. Instead, he finds that he has joined a new world where race is front and center. The book examines the complex ways in which both black doctors and patients must navigate the difficult and often contradictory terrain of race and medicine. As Tweedy transforms from student to practicing physician, he discovers how often race influences his encounters with patients. Through their stories, he illustrates the complex social, cultural, and economic factors at the root of many health problems in the black community.
In this powerful, moving, and deeply empathic book, Tweedy explores the challenges confronting black doctors, and the disproportionate health burdens faced by black patients, ultimately seeking a way forward to better treatment and more compassionate care.



MYSTERY THRILLER

“A Murder on Malabar Hill” by Sujata Massey

This is a feminist novel about a young Parsi lawyer in 1920’s Bombay creatively working around restrictive laws to help female clients. This book introduces Perveen Mistry, who joins her father's prestigious law firm to become one of India's first female lawyers.
When Mistry Law is appointed to execute the will of Omar Farid, a wealthy mill owner, Perveen's suspicions are aroused by a curious provision which could disinherit Farid's three widows and leave them vulnerable. The Farid widows live in strict seclusion, never leaving the women's quarters. Perveen decides to investigate whether they being duped by an unscrupulous guardian, but when tensions escalate to murder, she has to use everything in her power to outwit a dangerous criminal. This is the first Perveen Mistry novel, and with Sujata Massey coming out with more thriller mysteries featuring this young, intrepid and intelligent Parsi lawyer and detective, the Perveen Mistry novels are certainly to watch out for.



ART & POETRY

“Calligraphies of Love” by Hassan Massoudy

This beautifully designed and illustrated book is the perfect gift for lovers, poets and dreamers. Inspired by timeless poems from around the world, Hassan Massoudy's calligraphy takes readers on a visual journey through love in its many forms. Containing over 70 colour illustrations, the book also features poems translated from French and Arabic. The master calligrapher, through his signature broad strokes and vibrant colours, brings to life the words and wisdom of some of our greatest poets, from Ibn Zaydoun and Rumi to Kahlil Gibran, John Keats and Paul Éluard.