A Golden Age
A mother's struggle during a nation's fight for freedom
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Canongate Books
Published:6th Feb '20
Should be back in stock very soon
In a time of civil unrest, a mother fights to protect her children while navigating the complexities of love and sacrifice in A Golden Age.
Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous time, A Golden Age tells the poignant story of Rehana Haque, a mother caught in the throes of a civil war in East Pakistan. It is the spring of 1971, and as Rehana prepares to celebrate a special day with her cherished children, Sohail and Maya, the atmosphere is charged with tension and uncertainty. The streets outside are alive with the sounds of conflict, and Rehana is acutely aware that her family's safety hangs in the balance.
As the civil war escalates, the struggle for independence intensifies, and Rehana faces the harrowing reality of protecting her children amidst chaos. Her love for them is unwavering, yet she is confronted with difficult choices that will test her resolve and redefine her understanding of family and sacrifice. The narrative beautifully captures the emotional turmoil of a mother who must navigate her fears while trying to shield her children from the horrors of war.
A Golden Age not only highlights the personal impact of historical events but also sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit. Through Rehana's journey, readers are invited to reflect on the complexities of love, loss, and the fight for freedom, making this novel a powerful exploration of a mother's fierce determination in the face of adversity.
Deftly balances the story of nation against that of family . . . heart-shattering -- KAMILA SHAMSIE * * Guardian * *
A stunning debut. Anam writes of torture, brutality, refugees and desperation, but she also writes of love and joy, food and song * * Observer * *
A real page-turner, with a bravura, heart-stopping ending * * Sunday Telegraph * *
Beautifully told, intimate and touching; Anam has a knack for making you care so desperately for her characters that you admire their failings as much as their strengths * * Daily Mail * *
Anam's prose is glowing and graceful throughout; whether detailing the degradations of a refugee camp, the tenderness of an unexpected love affair, or the exhilarated dread of a nation in cataclysm * * Guardian * *
Spellbinding -- TULIP SIDDIQ
The authenticity shines through beautiful, simple prose * * Harper's Bazaar * *
A striking story of a spirited mother struggling to bring up her children * * Financial Times * *
A voice of real eloquence -- ANITA SETHI * * Independent * *
Compellingly twists the personal and the historical, humming with handed-down wisdom * * Literary Review * *
- Winner of Commonwealth Writers' Prize - Best First Book 2008 (UK)
- Short-listed for Costa First Novel Award 2008 (UK)
- Short-listed for Guardian First Book Award 2008 (UK)
ISBN: 9781786898623
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 18mm
Weight: 205g
304 pages
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