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A review by n_nazir
Songs of Blood and Sword: A Daughter's Memoir by Fatima Bhutto
1.0
The problem is mainly mine. Whilst I think the Bhutto's as a family dynasty are fascinating, I do believe them, for the most part, to be repulsive and a big part of what is wrong with Pakistan and it's political arena. With that in mind, I probably should have chosen a more impartial source than one of the Bhutto's...but there you go.
I feel very sorry for Fatima Bhutto, the amount of violence and heartache she has had to deal with from such a young age is truly sad. But...she has written a book that idolises a flawed man who's primary distinction was that he was not as bad as the rest. She glosses over her grandfathers failures whilst waxing lyrical over his achievements; Benazir is (rightly) villified, but credit where credit is due - when Zia was at the height of his powers, she stayed in Pakistan - unlike both of her brothers. And although she turned out to be a corrupt, greedy and vile leader, unlike her brothers, when in opposition for the first time she did pursue a peaceful and democratic means to the opposing Zia.
And then there's Murtaza himself; friend of Colonel Gaddaffi, would be terrorist, boyfriend of a woman married to one of the Greek Junta; a man who somehow thought it best that his 3 year old daughter never see her mother...like I said, flawed.
I understand Fatima is a vocal critic of the current regime - and this does her credit as Zardari really is a stain on the Pakistani nation; but I think the book was misguided.
The problem with the Bhutto's is that Zulfikar's not quite achieved potential has bred a dynasty with a powerful hold on politics in Pakistan. The truth is, they should have quit a long time ago. Rather than further trying to raise the name, the best thing for them and for Pakistan would be if they allowed themselves to fade into history.
I feel very sorry for Fatima Bhutto, the amount of violence and heartache she has had to deal with from such a young age is truly sad. But...she has written a book that idolises a flawed man who's primary distinction was that he was not as bad as the rest. She glosses over her grandfathers failures whilst waxing lyrical over his achievements; Benazir is (rightly) villified, but credit where credit is due - when Zia was at the height of his powers, she stayed in Pakistan - unlike both of her brothers. And although she turned out to be a corrupt, greedy and vile leader, unlike her brothers, when in opposition for the first time she did pursue a peaceful and democratic means to the opposing Zia.
And then there's Murtaza himself; friend of Colonel Gaddaffi, would be terrorist, boyfriend of a woman married to one of the Greek Junta; a man who somehow thought it best that his 3 year old daughter never see her mother...like I said, flawed.
I understand Fatima is a vocal critic of the current regime - and this does her credit as Zardari really is a stain on the Pakistani nation; but I think the book was misguided.
The problem with the Bhutto's is that Zulfikar's not quite achieved potential has bred a dynasty with a powerful hold on politics in Pakistan. The truth is, they should have quit a long time ago. Rather than further trying to raise the name, the best thing for them and for Pakistan would be if they allowed themselves to fade into history.