The Runaways
Author: Fatima Bhutto
Anita Rose has lived a life of poverty in one of the worst slums of Karachi. Monty lives a comfortable life in the same city as part of one of the richest families in Pakistan. Sunny lives a world away in Portsmouth, a place where he grew up but can’t seem to fit in.
Anita’s life takes a whole new course when she befriends with one of her neighbours who becomes a sort of teacher/mentor. Monty’s life is changed forever when he meets and falls in love with Layla, a girl he is willing to follow to the ends of the Earth. Meanwhile, in England, Sunny’s cousin Oz arrives back from a stint in the Middle East.
The Runaways tell the story of three very different youngsters whose storylines converge when they end up at a jihadi training camp in Mosul. This powerful and lyrical novel explores how poverty and the feelings of not fitting in can render young people still trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life vulnerable to radicalisation.
The writing is compelling and the story is in many ways very thought provoking. However, I am still pondering whether the choice to jump between timelines was the right one. Another issue which I encountered is that the division between present and past seems a bit blurry and makes for a, on occasions, confusing read.
The Runaways is a very brave and timely novel.
> Naomi Round
Author: Fatima Bhutto
Anita Rose has lived a life of poverty in one of the worst slums of Karachi. Monty lives a comfortable life in the same city as part of one of the richest families in Pakistan. Sunny lives a world away in Portsmouth, a place where he grew up but can’t seem to fit in.
Anita’s life takes a whole new course when she befriends with one of her neighbours who becomes a sort of teacher/mentor. Monty’s life is changed forever when he meets and falls in love with Layla, a girl he is willing to follow to the ends of the Earth. Meanwhile, in England, Sunny’s cousin Oz arrives back from a stint in the Middle East.
The Runaways tell the story of three very different youngsters whose storylines converge when they end up at a jihadi training camp in Mosul. This powerful and lyrical novel explores how poverty and the feelings of not fitting in can render young people still trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life vulnerable to radicalisation.
The writing is compelling and the story is in many ways very thought provoking. However, I am still pondering whether the choice to jump between timelines was the right one. Another issue which I encountered is that the division between present and past seems a bit blurry and makes for a, on occasions, confusing read.
The Runaways is a very brave and timely novel.
> Naomi Round