Someone Like Her
By Awais Khan
Orenda Books
ISBN: 1914585798
300pp.

Addressing Pakistan’s multi-faceted and intertwined societal issues through literary fiction is an endeavour rife with challenges. The intricacies of the social fabric, compounded by its historical and cultural diversity, pose significant obstacles to effectively capturing the depth and nuances of its problems.

Ranging from prevalent gender inequality to archaic feudal values, these problems demand a comprehensive understanding that can be difficult to encapsulate within the confines of a single narrative. However, Awais Khan dares to attempt just such an endeavour in his third novel, Someone Like Her, that truly touches on some sensitive issues.

Having read Khan’s previous novels, I knew that this too would be fiction with a purpose. An effort to highlight the frightening subject of acid violence, it takes courage and strength to focus on a mindset so deeply rooted in its traditions and values, that it often intersects with religion and history.

The book begins with the poignant tale of Ayesha, a self-reliant young woman who works as an accountant for a local charity combating domestic violence. Hailing from Multan, where men often rule the roost, she has managed to escape an arranged marriage due to her family’s poor financial circumstances.

A new novel takes on the difficult issue of acid violence in Pakistan without being preachy. But it is not for the faint of heart.

However, when she attracts the attention of the influential and affluent Raza Masood, it appears as if her parents’ prayers have been answered (an unmarried woman over 25 years of age is as much a burden as a curse in their reckoning). But Ayesha’s heart belongs to another. She refuses to indulge Raza, who has made a huge donation to the charity. Struggling to come to terms with Ayesha’s lack of affection for him, he resorts to revenge, and Ayesha becomes another statistic among the countless victims of acid violence.

What follows is Ayesha’s journey to find retribution and give life a second chance — in London, with Kamil, a 35-year-old British Pakistani who is divorced, works in digital marketing, and faced with his own emotional demons. Kamil is in a therapy group for people who have suffered domestic violence. However, his ex, Madiha, has inflicted such un-erasable wounds that he remains unwilling to talk about his suppressed anger, buried vulnerabilities and deep-seated insecurities.

I also developed a soft spot for Kamil’s mother, Jamila, with her golden nuggets of wisdom, light-hearted and playful exchanges, and delightful sense of humour. These interludes provide moments of levity within this otherwise sombre and disconcerting narrative.

The book is not for the faint-hearted. Readers must be prepared to have their hearts shattered multiple times for the characters, throughout the narrative, witnessing their unwavering determination to conquer adversity despite the odds set against them.

One often feels like screaming. One is regularly outraged. And will likely feel heart-broken. Not only for the characters, not only for the women having to go through this every day, but because these stark truths are not simply products of the author’s fantasyland. Rather, these brutal realities are encountered by countless people on a daily basis.

Someone Like Her is a sweeping narrative encompassing love, abuse and retribution — an emotional journey that takes one from the scorching avenues of Multan to the melting pot of London. But once more, Khan tenderly yet fearlessly, tackles societal disorders with solid storytelling and ruthless candour, immersing us in a realm where women are chattels and financial power reigns unchallenged.

A maestro with words, a magician at weaving characters, Khan ensures readers go through every ambivalence, despair and hope, rejection and acceptance, hurt and laughter, revenge and justice.

Some critics may contend that Khan intends Ayesha to represent an unrealistic epitome of tolerance and grace in the face of it all, as she is ravaged by forces beyond her comprehension, yet remains enduring, beautiful, and loving; that Khan has glorified a sensitive issue in the name of literary, fictional context; that attempting to address too many issues in a single work can lead to oversimplification and dilution of their true complexities.

However, this is what sets Khan apart in the Pakistani literary landscape. He manages to deal with serious intricacies beautifully, but does not come across as too preachy. In fact, some after-thoughts about complexities can last over days, even months. He has been able to navigate the fine, delicate line between raising awareness, igniting meaningful change, upholding artistic integrity and resonating with readers.

While Someone Like Her has the power to evoke empathy, provoke thought and shed light on Pakistan’s most pressing concerns, it caters to a specific readership, which may limit its impact on the broader society — especially among those where such heinous crimes are most often perpetuated. The intricate nature of these issues, the need for careful portrayal, and the challenge of driving substantial change necessitate a nuanced and thoughtful approach.

Despite these difficulties, authors such as Khan, who navigate these complexities, offer hope as they create works that contribute to a deeper understanding of Pakistan’s societal challenges.

The reviewer is a content lead at an agency.

She can be reached at sara.amj@hotmail.co.uk

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, September 3rd, 2023