Review: A delightful debut novella
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2014
Butterfly Season by Natasha Ahmad is the story of a true contemporary heroine, Rumi, who struggles between old habits and culture and the modernity.Being on holiday in London from Pakistan, the young Rumi falls in love with Ahad, a lovely Pakistani man living in London. The chemistry between the two is amazingly described by the author, but the difference between Rumi and Ahad lifestyle will put them into a complicated situation.The story develops smoothly across cultural and family issues, when Rumi has to decide whether to drop her usual view of thinking (and therefore live her love story with Ahad) or stick with the conservatism of the traditional Pakistani culture.Being an independent, Occidental-ish young woman or honoring the family and the habits you grow up with? Rumi's dilemma opens an interesting window on Pakistani expats and native's group society. It's something I can see with my eyes everyday in London and having such a detailed and entertaining insight gave me more elements to better understand a culture so far from mine.A great debut for Natasha Ahmad. The choice of the novella has been pretty good in my opinion, giving us a brief taste in writing style and stories development which is very encouraging.