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The heat in Lahore, Pakistan, was ungodly, and the crowded hospital corridor only amplified the heat. However, when Mazhar came into the world, her family's sole focus was on her pending arrival. She was the first granddaughter to arrive in the family, a reason for great joy. Her birth was lengthy and not without difficulty. The child dealt with jaundice as well as a bruised head from the delivery. Her early years would consist of medical issues from her birth and her family's relocation to the United States. The author's growth as a person is charted from a young girl battling seizures to becoming a budding fashion student enrolled at NYU.
Mazhar's story is comprehensive, if not exhaustive. Her arrival is narrated from the perspective of her doting grandfather. The emotional tension is palpable as the extended family awaits word from the doctor regarding the author's birth. Anxiety that suddenly yields to happiness and pride in her grandfather is a brilliantly portrayed moment. Mazhar's perspective of her life begins in the fourth chapter when she is five, and she expertly conveys her daily struggles. From her early days in the sprawling urban playground of New York City to the rural splendor of Virginia, the author's joie de vivre is omnipresent. She writes of her emotional growth while in junior high and conveys this self-actualization in a well-thought-out manner. Her path through high school and college will resonate with much of today's youth. Her self-assuredness comes through clearly in her thoughts about education, romance, and life. In short, this is a very readable autobiography and coming-of-age story.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review