In high school, I was always with the Pakistani crowd. They were the coolest people, and they always had the best lunches. My mom made me subs, and I would swap them for chana masala with pickled lemons. God, yes! Naturally, I would be fascinated with my friends' culture and they often recommended good books for me, although none captivated me as much as Ali Sethi's The Wish Maker.
The novel takes place in 1980s Lahore, where the protagonist, Zaki Shirazi, returns home from studying in the United States. He recounts his childhood and compares it to present times, as the novel does the Tarantino thing and does not go in chronological order. There are many characters the novel: aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, mothers, fathers, friends, cousins, neighbours, etc. and it often becomes a bit confusing to keep up with who is saying what. Pakistanis are usually very respectful people, and it's considered impolite to call their older siblings by their first names. Whenever I went to my friends' houses, I had to conform to this custom and call the older sisters Baji and the older brothers Bhai. Sometimes, I would even have to call the younger siblings Bulbul! Get ready for such anonymity in The Wish Maker. Other than the character confusion, be prepared for a gripping and beautiful story about coming of age and Pakistani feminism. Plus, fans of the revered Benazir Bhutto (may she rest in peace) are in for a treat.
If you can keep up with the fragmentation and slight hodgepodge of characters, please do not miss out on this book. I promise you that it will resonate in your mental library.
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