Aslam's lushly written novel anatomizes a working-class Pakistani immigrant enclave in an English town in the aftermath of an "honor killing," while insisting these are cultural distortions, not the essence of Islam.
Some critics argue it risks confirming Western stereotypes, which is itself a productive discussion about the "burden of representation." A demanding but rewarding literary high point.
Content note: honor killing, domestic abuse, misogyny.
Reading guide, passages and annotations will appear here when the club reaches this book.