Books from Pakistan — The Book Roads

Nigar Alam

Karachi, 1964. Four childhood friends find their lives transformed by one fateful night that ends in death and secrets they will carry for decades. Years later, an unexpected reunion forces Rozeena to confront the past she has spent a lifetime trying to protect. Against the backdrop of Pakistan’s history and the lasting scars of Partition, this atmospheric novel explores forbidden love, social divisions, and the ways family secrets echo across generations.

2023

The River, the Town

Farah Ali

In a drought-stricken Pakistani village, a young man named Baadal dreams of a life beyond poverty and scarcity. When his parents’ troubled marriage begins to collapse, he finds comfort in Meena, a divorced woman searching for freedom from her own painful past. Together, they leave for the city, hoping for a fresh start—but escaping one hardship does not guarantee another life. Spanning three decades, this intimate novel explores how climate disaster, poverty, and family tensions shape the lives of those struggling to find stability and belonging.

2023