THE WISH MAKER

Zaki Sharazi returns to Lahore, Pakistan, from college in the U.S. for his cousin's wedding. Back within his family, surrounded by women, Zaki realizes the many restrictions women face in an Islamic society and becomes aware that, as a male, he enjoys much more freedom. The flashbacks into Zaki’s childhood, his humorous observations, and his perceptive insights into modern-day Pakistan make this character-driven novel a metaphor for the various political and cultural attitudes present in Pakistan today. Narrator Firdous Bamji doesn't use accents or voices to identify the many fascinating characters, yet he invokes a strong sense of place with his intelligent, straightforward narration. Bamji's richly colored performance makes this a fine fit for audio. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2009]