The Colour of Mehndi

by Nausheen Pasha-Zaidi

Nazli Akram seemed to have it all - a husband, two beautiful sons and a picturesque house in the suburbs of Arizona. But her outwardly idyllic existence masked the chaos brewing within the confines of her own mind. A young Pakistani-American woman, struggling with a failing marriage and her own sacrificed ambitions, Nazli’s once-promising future quickly deteriorates as she succumbs to her own personal demons and follows a dangerous path of despair and mental illness. But her story is lost through the years until her youngest son - now a grown man on a quest for his own identity - uncovers the audiotapes of the mother he doesn’t remember. And his discovery finally gives voice to a woman whose life and death have been shrouded in a veil of shame and silence.

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Hanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason I'm giving this four stars is because I have never read a book like this before. I have always wanted to read novels by Pakistani authors, especially women, but couldn't because my Urdu reading skills aren't that great.
To be fair, four stars is a higher rating than it deserves. It is a book in need of revision - the focus on characters switches abruptly, sometimes switching timelines as well, which makes it difficult to follow. I found the characters themselves satisfactory and the story believable.

[Muhammad Samejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS was a thoroughly engaging and well-written book! For one thing, I found the writing full of good humor and wit that creates just enough levity to keep the book’s central story as serious as it should be. The mispronunciation of Pakistani names by Americans, the social commentary of desi traditions such as weddings and get-togethers, and the overarching narrative of Pakistanis integrating into American society while sticking to their roots and also discovering their true selves (or not) are delivered in these pages superbly.

The next thing this book has going for it is the time period. Finally, a book about Muslims in America that covers everything pre-2001. Through the eyes of the central character, Nazli Akram, readers are taken through what it was like growing up in the US during the 70s and 80s while keeping double lives of being both American and Pakistani. Not to mention how traditional desi relationships either changed or remained steadfast in staying the same, as the contrasting nature of the two central families describes. There is a lot of emphasis on the female characters and the challenges they face against patriarchy in general along with a ton of psychological trauma, making one root for the ladies all the way.

My only gripe is the presentation as it’s indicated that the story is presented as audio tapes of the lead character. Instead, the book is in an omniscient narrative structure which isn’t a bad thing obviously, but feels like cheating a little. As readers, keeping the story from one character’s POV allows us to discover new information that could be revealed methodically rather than using everyone’s POV.

Nevertheless, I loved reading this and can’t understand why it isn’t rated higher. Definitely recommended!

[K Mahmood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent. Quick read. Not the best writing.

[Naaima Murtaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4 star review is for the complexity of feelings portrayed in an intriguing quick read. A rather depressing story told in a matter of fact manner.

[Sahar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought-provoking book. After I was done, I thought about it for a few days, wondering my Nazli Akram did and said certain things. I think there are numerous girls who go though this. But more than the OCD, it got me thinking about how to cope with shattered dreams and high expectations.

[Saima · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had a depressing undertone. I am sure there are many Paki women who have such lives... Gives me something to be greatful for!