A tale of intrigue

DADI stood up in her most regal way. The only thing we had was the ability to hold our heads up high. But she put an end to that. Had the curse taken hold?

She looked at me. "You had no part in it. History teaches us that twins are not always directly responsible for what happens. Sometimes they are victims. Sometimes only one twin is responsible."

If the family name inspires curiosity, so do their tales.

Aliya, American and liberated, suddenly falls into the trap. She is led to believe that she is the twin of her aunt Mariam, whose secret love for the family cook brings shame and disgrace. The matriarch, Dadi, has never quite forgiven Mariam. But then there was always an air of mystery about Mariam ever since she sailed into the Dard-e-Dil household and took over the kitchen and the cook. Mariam, suddenly brings life to the cook, Masood, who is so besotted, that he makes each food preparation taste magical much to the delight of the family which fails to notice why. Then, one night, Mariam vanishes.

Family secrets suddenly come tumbling out bit by bit when Aliya returns to Karachi. Intrigued, she pursues each head which ends in the story of the "not-quite-twins".

The Dard-e-Dils may not be quite your idea of the ideal Pakistani family, but Kamila Shamsie, unravels the history of a nation divided - right from the Muslim invasions to Partition.

Aliya, no stunner, is still a Dard-e-Dil. What bodes ill for her is the star that "crosses over" from Mariam Apa's name to hers in the family tree.

Determined to clear her aunt's name and find what the future has in store for her she ponders over these: Did Mariam have the courage to stand up and declare her love? Does she understand why Mariam loved Masood? No answers but just one question. Is she willing to take the first step?

SUCHITRA BEHAL

Salt And Saffron, Kamila Shamsie, Bloomsbury, 9.99 pounds.

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