Moth: One of the Observer's 'Ten Debut Novelists' of 2021

"Moth" is a debut novel by Razak that tells the story of a family in Delhi during the time of Partition. The novel is praised for its powerful character portrayal and intricate plot. It has been longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and shortlisted for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Observer's Ten Debut Novelists of 2021

Longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize, Shortlisted for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award, and Featured in Harper's Bazaar's "Five Debut Female Authors to Read This Summer."

"Powerful and heartbreaking," "Observer" describes Razak's debut novel as "gripping." Through meticulous portrayal, Razak paints a vivid portrait of a family, encompassing their rituals, private languages, and shared lives.

The Times praises the novel for its "heartbreaking and heart-warming" character portrayal, noting that as the plot unfolds, readers will genuinely care about the characters' outcomes.

Independent reviewer describes the book as "assured and powerful," highlighting Razak's ability to bring every character to life on the page.

Harper's Bazaar hails it as one of the best debuts they have ever read, noting that it left a lasting impact on the reviewer's heart.

Sarah Winman, author of "Still Life," praises the novel as "a stunning, powerful work by a brave new voice in British fiction."

Anna Hope, author of "Expectation," describes it as "powerful and moving," praising Razak's ability to create characters that "spring from the page."

"Delhi, 1946" tells the story of Ma and Bappu, who teach at a local university. Their fourteen-year-old daughter, Alma, is soon to be married, but she finds greater joy in spinning wild stories for her younger sister, Roop.

In the backdrop of India's long-awaited independence from British rule, times are challenging for girls. The arrival of Partition adds to the turmoil, forcing Ma, Bappu, Alma, and Roop to navigate through increasingly desperate circumstances in search of survival.

However, the power of hope remains an extraordinary force in their lives.

Meet the Family at the Heart of "Moth":

Alma: The beating heart of the novel. We meet her as a precocious 14-year-old who becomes entangled in the chaos of Partition, with devastating consequences.

Roop: Alma's younger sister. Obsessed with death, she is a fierce, funny, and rather wild child who is determined to make sense of the world around her.

Through the lives of Ma, Bappu, Alma, and Roop, "Moth" explores the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a poignant and unforgettable tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 196 x 126 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474619257