As an Indian, I have been curious about the life and lifestyle of the average Pakistani and always wondered what it's like, on the other side of the "BORDER".This was my first literary experience and it was an interesting read. The commonalities, the similar interests, the hopeless situation, the inevitable political corruption. One wonders how different things would have been if it wasn't for the partition. Would we live in a safer environment?
Unfortunately in both countries the situation seems equally dire, with a level of hopelessness that is mirrored on both sides.
Lahore is burning is the first line in the description, and its not just the weather they are referring to.
Terror attacks, Suicide Bombers, Political & Business Corruption is just as normal and ordinary as the sun rising by day, the moon by night or the rain during monsoons. it just seems to be an accepted way of life.
And that is where Nida Akbars writing skills come to the fore. In Goodbye Freddie Mercury, she has handled a very delicate story line, among a highly sensitive set of situations and comes out with a very good book.
She has a very easy writing style, that keeps the story flowing and in the case of Goodbye Freddie Mercury, Nida doesn't let it slow down which is commendable for a first time writer.
She has alternated view points between Bugsy and Nida, keeping an element of freshness and suspense throughout the story. As a reader, one really wants to know what is going to happen next to each of them and whether they survive the various situations they experience in life. The biggest fear being what if any of them gets caught?
Every character, and there are numerous ones along the way, finds a way to connect with the readers and for that Nida deserves high praise. The testosterone heavy situations are deftly balanced with sufficient details and yet enough left to the imagination.
The story line revolves around the quagmire situations that Nida and Bugsy respectively find themselves in and how they have to deal with the problems and find a way to extricate themselves safely.
Do they manage to do so unscathed? What body blows do they have to face? Does the book have a happy ending, or will you have a sense of inevitability when it concludes, an "I Told you so" feeling?
Irrespective of your perspective, you wont be able to deny the emotional feeling that will overcome you one knowing the ending. It definitely left me hurting and am sure a lot more people to.
Go read it to, experience their lives.
P.S. - It has one of the most artistic and Gorgeous covers ever seen :)
