What a book. I’m not sure I know how to begin reviewing a book as mighty as Shabnam Minwalla’s Zen. It is such a compelling read that even though it’s over 600 pages long, I chose to carry it with me when I travelled, instead of carrying my Kindle the way I usually do. How could I wait two whole weeks without finding out where the book would take me?
Zen is the story of two Zainabs.
Zainab Essaji’s story is set in 1935, and it seems like her destiny is to marry the man her family chooses for her. More, she is expected to be excited about it.
Zainab Currimji’s story is set in 2019, and she’s just trying to keep her head down while her activist friend Menka rages against injustice and discrimination.
Of course, the two Zainabs are related and as we race through the gripping book, we discover both their stories. A book full of secrets, Zen is masterfully plotted and leaves us overwhelmed.
From the writing to the structure, characters and form, I loved everything about the book. The personal is political, and Shabnam Minwalla weaves the two together perfectly as she tells the story of a half-Muslim, half-Hindu in modern India. In contrast, Zainab Essaji’s family story gently reminds us that life is always complex, no matter what age you live in. The year 2019 is just as challenging as the year 1935 was. We always need to pick our battles and stand up for what we believe in.
Sensitively and powerfully told, Zen is a story of embracing (even while trying to escape) love, individuality and identity. It perfectly portrays the messiness that makes life what it is. Nothing is black and white, is it? And colour floods this gripping narrative. The complexities of having a mixed identity, the terror of having to choose what you believe in over the people you love, the guilt you experience when all you want to do is not get involved … I was stunned at how brilliantly these are portrayed.
Zen is a book for keeps, a book with so many layers that each time you reread it, you’ll discover a little more. It’s sitting there on my shelf, and soon, I know I’ll pick it up and be swept away all over again.
| Title | Zen |
| Author | Shabnam Minwalla |
| Tags | Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction |
| Rating (out of 5) | 5 |
| Age-group | 13+ |
While I was looking for a creative writing course for my daughter, I reached out to Shabnam minwalla whom I came to know through another child book author.It was Shabnam who gave your name for creative writing classes.Even though I couldn’t join my daughter in the classes this year , my neice( unnathi) is benefitting from your reading classes in which I joined her this month.
Oh, that’s nice to know! ‘Zen’ was easily one of my favourite reads from last year. And I enjoyed meeting Unnathi at my book club yesterday! I look forward to continuing to interact with her in the weeks ahead.