A review by cassiecat
Someone Like Her by Awais Khan

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’ve heard such a positive buzz about this book that I just had to read it. It’s my first book by this author. 

The book is told from two POV, the first is Ayesha who is a not so ‘young’ unmarried independent thinking woman of 27 living in Multan Pakistan. Her family once wealthy, but now fallen on hard times are desperate to get her a wealthy match. Ayesha has already broken with tradition by having a job at a charity helping woman suffering from domestic abuse, and an unsuitable boyfriend who she is desperate to be with. Added to the mix is Raza, her parents idea of an ideal match as he is wealthy and obsessed with Ayesha. 

The second is Kamil living in London. He is an emotionally damaged man with demons of his own. He and Ayesha meet when she travels to London to rebuild her life. 

The dual locations work really well, as much as I enjoy new locations there’s a lot to be said for some familiarity. 

It’s a story of love, family,honour/ dishonour, corruption, courage and hope crossing continents. It’s a dark gritty story which impacts on your emotions. The level of injustice and inequality based not only on social standing and wealth but sex is horrendous. 

I liked the dual location, continents apart, but it seems that mindsets and beliefs aren’t so very different in the vastly outwardly different cultures. The writing style adds to the cultural experience. 

There are several characters whose behaviours made my blood boil! 

Multon is described with such precision that it almost feels like a character in its own right, readers who have never visited can picture themselves there. Using a few words of the Seraiki language added more of a feel too. 

I loved it, and must read another of this authors that’s been languishing in my tbr pile. It’s a cracking storyline with eye opening cultural horrors.