MOTH

Soneela Nankani is an outstanding narrator of South Asian literature, and this novel on the partition of India is no exception. The creation of the Muslim state of Pakistan led to one of the most chaotic migrations in memory. Nankani evokes empathy for the teenage Alma, who is caught in these historical crosshairs. She uses a fretful undertone to express the heart of this story about a family and a nation simultaneously being pulled apart as British colonial powers leave India in an upheaval. Nankani's accuracy with Urdu words and phrases and South Asian names enhances the listening experience for those who are familiar with the region and provides a degree of authenticity for those who are not. M.R. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]