A Compelling Family Saga
Asha Thanki’s debut novel, A Thousand Times Before, serves as a captivating family saga, bringing to life the intricate and unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters. This magical realism tale transports readers through significant milestones in Indian history during the 20th century.
The Magic of the Tapestry
At the heart of this multigenerational story is a remarkable family heirloom: a tapestry that holds the memories of generations of women. This extraordinary tapestry grants its custodian the ability to relive the memories of these women and fulfill their deepest desires. The narrative begins in present-day Brooklyn with Ayukta, who reveals the secrets of this tapestry to her wife, Nadya, to explain her hesitations about starting a family.
Historical Journey Through Time
Ayukta recounts the lives of her ancestors, starting with her grandmother Amla in Karachi before the partition of India in 1947, and continuing with her mother, Arni, in Gujarat during the 1974 student protests against the government. Through the tapestry’s double-edged powers, the triumphs and tragedies of each woman’s life are laid bare. Readers are transported through critical moments in history, made intimate and personal by Thanki’s elegant prose and charismatic characters.
Themes of Love, Grief, and Family
Despite its magical elements, A Thousand Times Before remains deeply grounded in the themes of love, grief, and family. Thanki’s thoughtful development of these themes ensures that the novel resonates on an emotional level, providing a memorable and poignant reading experience.
A Mesmerizing Debut
This spellbinding narrative, characterized by its blend of magical realism and historical depth, makes A Thousand Times Before a must-read. For anyone interested in a poignant family saga that explores the complexities of maternal bonds and historical events through an enchanting and unique lens, Asha Thanki’s debut is highly recommended.
