The identity of crisis

Where they Dream in Blue - Review by The Nation

Kulsoom Kamal Khan finds that Bina Shah's narrative is witty, as she writes of the problems faced by the new generation, those born and bred abroad, and those who live in Pakistan but try to inculcate the western culture in their eastern lifestyle.

As one Indian in the book 'Where They Dream in Blue' remarks, "When I' m in America, I am Indian, but when I am in India, I am American." This line speaks for itself; the identity crisis being faced by those who are American or 'foreign' by nationality, but Pakistani or "desi" by descent. 'Where They Dream in Blue' is a true-to-life depiction of such a crisis.

The novel revolves around Karim Asfar, a Pakistani American, who comes to Karachi to discover the place where his parents were born, but a place with which he nonetheless has no ties: "Pakistan was a name, a memory, a dimension with little, if any, meaning for him. " Karim describes his experiences of living in a limbo when he sees other Pakistani Americans return from a trip to their 'homeland'. "Karim saw other Pakistani-American kids return from trips to Pakistan, only more confused than they had been before they left. Were they Americans, or Pakistanis? Where did they belong? Who owned their loyalties? When the Gulf War erupted, should they have supported the Iraqis, because they were Muslims, or Americans, because they were born in America?"

With the help of his "rock-sufi" cousin Akbar beautiful but conflicted colleague Nazli, and a beggar boy Abdullah who haunts the shrines of saints, Karim discovers there is much more to Karachi than political turmoil, religious extremism and spicy food. He enthusiastically embarks on a mission to save Karachi's environment by joining "Samandar", an NGO, and trying to save Abdullah from a life of begging. He endeavours to find his past, present and future reality, while the Sufi saints deliver guidance to him.

Bina Shah has written a witty narrative of the problems faced by the up-and-coming generation, those born and bread abroad, and those who live in Pakistan but try to inculcate the western culture in their eastern lifestyles.

Bina Shah's literary genius is comparable to other young and acclaimed Pakistani writers such as Mohsin Hamid ('Moth Smoke') and Kamila Shamsie ('City by the Sea', 'Salt and Saffron').

The main point to notice about the book is that the story comes out as a narrative of an experienced person, and instead of criticizing any of the norms and rules of the society, she weaves them into the story, and leaves the conclusion to us.

The book it self does not use any difficult or unusual language, which would make one run for the dictionary. She uses everyday language, which a normal person can easily understand and relate to. It can be an eye-opening book for people of all ages, from teenagers to adults. The use of drugs, cigarettes and 'booze' in the younger crowd is highlighted. The inexplicable waste of money is highlighted. The way adults refuse to acknowledge these mistakes is also highlighted. It shows us how we in the East try to acquire the lifestyle of our Western counterparts, instead of trying to preserve and progress with our own culture. There are those who are so desperate for money that they would drug their own children and send them on the streets for begging, and others who have so much of it that they can afford a house only for throwing parties.

Some people may scoff and say that it is an exaggeration, and that such situations exist only in books. But within ourselves we know that it is the truth. We ourselves see many Abdullahs out on the streets, but since we are so hardened by the everyday sight of beggars, we don't lend a second thought to their lives and their problems. And we also see others hardened to such a degree that any great expenditure is justified because they so desire it.

Bina Shah has an eye for detail, and slightly descriptive explanations, but apart from barely one or two instances, the reader's mind does not wander off, and stays riveted to the story, wondering what will happen next. By the time the book is almost halfway through, one feels a certain affinity with the characters. Probably because the characters are us. Probably because we are them.

Karim Asfar tries to find reality in the dream world of parties and rock-sufi concerts. Instead of looking at the world through rose-coloured glasses, he walks with his feet on the ground. Being unfamiliar with the attitudes of the eastern people he makes a few blunders here and there, sometimes doing what he would do in America. For instance, forced out of sheer habit he says "thank you" to the servants, drivers, etc, which his Pakistani family members make fun of. He has been taught to thank anyone who is serving him, be it a waitress, shoe shine boy, bus conductor or anyone else. It is something which is somehow just 'not done' in Pakistan; 'like pretending that social class and wealth didn't exist, or matter'. According to his aunt "it's just not necessary".

'Where They Dream in Blue' is Bina Shah's first novel. However, she is not new to the world of publishing. Born in Karachi, Bina Shah spent the early years of her life in Virginia, and completed her higher education from Massachusetts. Her first book, a volume of short stories called "Animal Medicine” was published in 2000.

'Where They Dream in Blue' touches a chord. A silent chord for most of the time, it is true, but Bina Shah makes it resonate with the voice of truth. And creating such resonance shows the true spirit of a writer; it is a rare book indeed that so clearly and lucidly puts across such intense emotions. It takes a rare author who can touch such issues and come away with a satisfied reader. That Bina Shah manages to balance the positive with negative, the sure with the unsure, the result is a story that is riveting and immensely readable.

With further publications, Bina Shah's style can only improve, and one hopes that the book is only the first of several other books.