Dizzy in Karachi: A Journey to Pakistan

by Maliha Masood

In a post-9/11 world, one young woman sought to understand what remained of her homeland beyond headlines and stereotypes As a graduate student of international affairs in Boston, Maliha Masood was deeply conflicted when it came to Pakistan. It was her birthplace where she spent an idyllic childhood riding camels on the beach, reciting English poetry and dancing to Abba. Class lectures depicted a failed state that enslaved its women. Media reports painted dire scenarios of blood baths and terror cells, crime mobs and Kalashnikovs. Determined to reconcile the past with the present, Maliha went back to Pakistan in 2003, after an absence of two decades, and stumbled upon the adventure of a lifetime. 'Dizzy in A Journey to Pakistan' is an intimate account of her experience living, working and traveling within a country teeming with contradictions. From the drug soaked parties of the pampered elite to the tranquil beauty of remote mountain villages, from smuggler bazaars on the Khyber Pass to culinary feasts in Lahore, readers will be immersed in a gripping narrative, rich in details and colorful characters. Filled with insights on society, politics and history, Maliha's story provides a broader understanding that challenges our assumptions-not only about Pakistan-but about belonging and cultural identity and the meaning of home. Her duality as a Pakistani and an American offers a unique perspective that enlightens as well as entertains.

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2013

About the author

Maliha Masood is a Pakistani born writer based in Seattle, WA. She is also a teacher and educator on global affairs. Her creative nonfiction has appeared in numerous anthologies including Best Travel Writing by Women for 2010. Maliha is the author of two travelogues focusing on the Middle East and South Asia. Born in Karachi, she immigrated to the United States at the age of eleven and returned to Pakistan two decades later in 2003. Her new book, Dizzy in Karachi is an intimate account of what it was like to live, work and travel in Pakistan as a young Muslim woman who belongs to both East and West. More information at www.dizzyinkarachi.com

Reviews

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading and learning about other cultures and it was interesting to read about daily life in a country that most people associate only with terrorists. The author is very adventurous in what she sees and does during her time in Pakistan, as she refamiliarizes herself with her roots. I wasn't always sure though, if she was actually enjoying herself, or just going through the motions in order to say she had done it. The author also includes a great deal of information about Pakistan's history with India and some of the famous sites of Pakistan. After reading this book, I will be putting Pakistan on my "must see and do list!"

[Liz Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not great. After her last book, which was fantastic, I was excited for Dizzy in Karachi, but this book was overly long and meandering in an unpleasant way. It never seemed to make any sort a point and seemed more like reworked diary entries than a coherent and cohesive book.

[Lisa Noell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but not well written. A little scattered with a little political commentary thrown in rather awkwardly.

[Krishna Sookrit · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was pure entertainment, love the humour and the way she describes the scenery. Makes me want to visit these places.