Book review — The Book of Everlasting Things — Aanchal Malhotra

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Book: The Book of Everlasting Things
Author: Aanchal Malhotra
Recommendation: Good read. Some interest or knowledge of the India/Pakistan partition or familiarity with the subcontinent would be helpful. If you do not have the context, please read the notes I have at the end of this review. They may help with enjoying the book. And definitely reference the map

TW: Partition / Mob related violence, Death

I have been wanting to read more books on Restoration after a major change — one, the lives of African Americans right after they were emancipated, and two, the lives of displaced Indians/Pakistanis right after Partition. Much to my disappointment, I have not been finding good books, especially historical fiction, that cover these stories.
Then I stumbled on this book by Aanchal Malhotra. Per its synopsis, it covered almost exactly what I wanted — i.e. What happened to one Lahore family after the partition. It started with who they were before and ended 3 generations later. So, a true family saga.

This book was my treat to myself. I took part of my day off to read it and completed it in almost one sitting, with breaks for a couple of calls and food. I would call it a day well spent :). I woke up with tears in my eyes (12 hrs. after I finished the book), just remembering the story and wondering at the futility…