Latest Read: The Blind Man's Garden by Nadeem Aslam

Before you read this know that I LOVE Nadeem Aslam. Absolutely LOVE him. My nephew thinks that he uses too many metaphors; I think he uses just enough :)

This book is set in Pakistan, in the fictional town of Heer in the Punjab. It spills over into Afghanistan when two boys from the family in Heer go to Afghanistan to join in the jihad. 

I love Nadeem Aslam because he writes the truth. Everything that happens to the two boys and the family is because of greed, revenge or lust - wrapping it up in the holy name of jihad and religion is something that people from my part of the world excel at. And this is what Aslam writes about.

Latest Read: The End of India by Khushwant Singh

This gives me some answers to my question, 'Why the partition?'  
After I began to doubt all the Zia-era-education I received, (in which the partition is THE only thing taught in history AND Pakistan Studies AND takes the place of geography and civics),  I have often wondered why was there ever a partition. India is secular, albeit with problems, but nevertheless secularism seems to be the goal, and the government grants sufficient autonomy to the provinces.
This book gives a good perspective. To be clear, it is neither written about the partition nor the reasons leading up to it, but Singh mentions that the fundamentalist elements in the Congress at that time were barely held at bay by Nehru.

Well!!
Well well!!

Mind boggling isn't it?

As far as a review of the book - It is written by one of the most respected and intellectual authors of the Sub-Continent. If you enjoy reading political books and are not afraid to be scared it is well worth a read.