Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

This is the first book of Shamsie's that I have read, and I enjoyed it so much that I intend to splash my cash on all her other novels too.

'Burnt Shadows' tells the stories of two families whose lives intertwine across the years, with the narrative jumping from WW2 Japan, to Delhi in the 1950's, to Pakistan in the 80's, and finally to Post-9/11 New York and Afghanistan. The members of the two families - especially a very sympathetic character Hiroko, a Japanese woman, who is the only character present in every section of the book - find themselves in a web of friendship, love and betrayal as their lives intersect at each conflicted and politically turbulent point in time. Major themes include the relationships between the characters, the nature of Islam, betrayal and truth, loss and survival, belonging and isolation, family and friendship.

Shamsie writes very well indeed - literary but accessible, lively but mature and fully-formed. There are flashes of brilliance in her writing, especially in her painting of her characters - they come across as real, living people and by the end of the book I really did feel as if I knew them all. I particularly liked the use of the recurring motif of the spider throughout the novel, and the switches between time and place, coupled with the very mysterious prologue that holds the key to the story, were very cleverly executed.

The different cultures portrayed through the novel are very expertly done. Hiroko's journey from a well-behaved resident of Nagasaki through to a free and fearless independent woman living in New York is subtly and coherently continued throughout the book. All sides of Islam are explored: the fundamentalism that frightens us so much today, as well as peaceful devotion and indifference are shown. Pakistani-Indian conflicts are explored, as well as the tribal differences of Afghanistan. Perhaps the American characters are the most stereotypical (but possibly correctly) of the novel, and seem to be the blundering blind, messing up everything for everyone else. However they are shown as very loveable, big-hearted and accepting also, and 9/11 I felt was dealt with very sensitively; no one, no culture, is shown in an unbalanced light, which I think is one of the great successes of the novel. One of the book's chief messages is surely why, when we share so many similarities (a need for safety and security, love for our families and friends, even linguistic similarities), do we still go and mess everything up for each other?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It started off, I feel, as quite a feminine book, possibly because it is the female characters that really lead the early narrative, but really got going before I was halfway through it, and has as many shocking twists in its tale as a broken slinky. There is action, there is romance, there are secrets and frantic escapes. I can see readers of both genders and all kinds of backgrounds enjoying this book, and would definitely recommend it.

'Burnt Shadows' is powerful, challenging and yet remains entirely human. Amazing, surprising plot, vivid and believable characters, and a unique viewpoint on conflicts old and new. Good job, Ms Shamsie.