The River, The Town

The River, The Town is a powerful novel that follows a Pakistani family as they face a climate disaster and struggle for stability, love, and belonging. The story is told in rotating perspectives, spanning from 1966 to 1998, and is an intimate portrait of a family unraveling in the throes of indigence. It juxtaposes the tragic and grueling realities of poverty with the enduring struggle for compassion and humanity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Dzanc Books

In the picturesque rural town of Pakistan, where Baadal thrives, children bear names with the intention of bringing prosperity and warding off misfortune. At the age of seventeen, Baadal begins to comprehend the significance of his name, as his parents had hoped that the Big River would once again expand its banks, quenching their long-standing thirst after years of drought. However, as his final year of schooling draws near, the prospect of abundance seems unattainable. Amidst the tumultuous marriage of his parents, characterized by anger, despair, and frequent violence, Baadal finds solace in a budding friendship with Meena, a divorced older woman he encounters along the drying riverbanks. Meena, who has recently escaped an abusive husband, initially resists the idea of remarrying but is drawn to the promise of stability and companionship that Baadal offers. Together, they decide to leave the town in search of better opportunities in the city.

However, even the strong-willed and independent Meena finds herself under the strain of Baadal's demanding work schedule, her struggling beauty parlor, and the tension with Baadal's mother, Raheela. Raheela, determined to leave behind a life of disappointments and embrace the freedom she has never known, fights fiercely for control of her son, as she seeks to break free from the cycle of poverty that has defined her existence.

The novel unfolds through a series of rotating perspectives, spanning from 1966 to 1998. Through vivid and candid prose, Farah Ali paints an intimate portrait of a family unraveling amidst poverty. She juxtaposes the tragic and grueling realities of poverty with the enduring struggle for compassion and empathy. The River, the Town is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as it explores the complex dynamics of family relationships, the search for identity, and the pursuit of a better life.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 148 x 225 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781950539888