The Shadow of the Crescent Moon: A Novel

Very well written story of a family's struggle in Pakistan's internal tribal wars and conflicts with Afghanistan. The tough choices the 3 sons and their wives and girlfriends have to make to stay alive in a tragic war torn town. The author who grew up in the culture wove an excellent story that puts you into the lives and the consequences of the decisions they individually have to make to hold their families and culture together. Your heart goes out to them when most of the decisions they are forced to make can have sever and devastating consequences for them and their loved ones. It puts a very human face on what is going on in the Middle East.

This book is very well written as the reader can easily recognize the author's authentic connection to the subject matter and setting. Characters, especially Mir Ali itself, are beautifully depicted in that their personalities and motivations are all satisfyingly drawn out. However, the book falls flat near the end as the climax feels more like a slap in the face rather than one the reader can absorb and appreciate. I believe the reasons might be that in an attempt to conceal certain details from the reader, the author had to compromise and reduce a layer of character development. Ultimately, the book could have benefited from another 50 pages - focusing primarily on bringing character arcs to a close. .

This novel depicts a cross-section of every-day life in this war torn community who try to live ordinary lives and secure a better future for their children.It is unlike anything I have ever read and kept me up late into the nights as I persuaded to endure what fate awaiting these people who had tried so hard to change their future.Deeply thought provoking and certainly a recommended read for people "who want to know more" about the courage to live in the tumult conditions of a community stuck between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the cost that is involved of an individuals birthright.

Brilliant, had read her poetry, this is spellbinding, a day in the life of four brothers, A must read for all who want an understanding of the impact of war on a people and country.

It was quite a cultural and regional education. Stellar character development and characters you come to care about. Plot development is not .as strong

Interesting, fast-reading novel. I think it all happened over one day's time.

A great novel about that part of the World. I forward to future novels from Bhutto.

A good book overall.It very emotionally explains the deep rifts within Pakistan and how this nation is plagued with very dangerous issues which had never been tackled . The book gives a very different perspective about the lives of tribal areas which we normally do not come across even in international newspapers and editorials.Miss Bhutto shows great potential and will be keenly followed.

This is a deceptively subtle book. The narrative is steady and stoically relayed, yet it manages to pierce right through you. The story is the unfolding of a single day, or rather, a single morning. As the Eid morning of each of the three brothers unravels, Fatima Bhutto reveals their histories leading up to this present moment.The book is haunting and so very revealing. The plight of the people of Mir Ali burrows deep into the conscience as does the pain of knowing that although this is a work of fiction, it has a strong root in the reality of many people in the northern provinces of Pakistan.It is an excellent debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Fatima Bhutto.

The book started off ok and parts of it were really absorbing. The part where the driver feared he would be killed because of his Shia identify even though he wasn't overly religious highlighted the problem posed by the Taliban. The book ended with confusion and I am still unable to see what the purpose of the novel was.

A story set in troubled Mir Ali describes the actions of several individuals caught between fires of insurgency. They have to juggle combinations of issues they can and cannot control. The story evolves in a hotchpotch of insanity, rebellion and manipulation. It’s a wonderful and memorable book to read, beautifully written. I can’t remember anything like it.

I had heard about this book so thought I would give it a try. Having just finished it I am left unsure. I did enjoy it but I guess I was expecting more

I read with breathless anticipation of a terrible ending to this story of family's divided loyalties on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Beautifully written, in the hushed voices of the participants, but ultimately it was unsatisfying