Review: Karachi, You’re killing me! by Saba Imtiaz

Karachi, you’re killing me! Penned by Saba Imtiaz is a debut story by a young reporter and what’s more surprising element in it is that it is a chick lit. Let’s just find out if the author is upto the mark, matching with the wide acclaims and high expectations from her writing. Mohammed Hanif says: “Racey, pacey and laugh-out-loud funny. A Murree beer-soaked love letter to Karachi and journalism.”

PLOT

Karachi, you’re killing me! is the introductory novel of Saba Imtiaz, which is commonly acknowledged as Bridget Jone’s diary, which has a story revolving around Ayesha, the girl in her late twenties. She is a Pakistan-based journalist and has a bad job, a ruthless boss, no love life, insufficient salary, and a father who loves a cat more than her and what's worse can you ask for! Her task is to report at bomb sites and find her way through scattered bodies. Above all, it is her only way for survival. Definitely, the novel will give you many reasons to cry! In her miserable life, her only sources of comfort are her friends Zara and Saad.

The novel will begin in a daily diary manner, and all the events are incorporated in a chronological way dating from 31 December 2011 to May 11, 2014. In between the 260 pages, the life of this pretty girl changes completely and I would say that being her companion through this journey won’t be a bad idea.

CHARACTERS

Imtiaz did an excellent job in describing the characters in the book and makes them come to life and even the CAT is likeable, with just a little bit of an overdose of Murree Beers in the book.

THE GOOD

The writing style of the author is sharp and witty. The story in the book is fast paced and a real page turner and while you will turn the pages you will find a bit of humor here and there, entertaining you throughout the story. Though you will find the story a bit expected and predictable, still the way it is presented makes all the difference! The characters are close to reality and may people will be able to identify themselves in them. The novel will give you a glimpse of Karachi in Pakistan

 THE BAD

There is a constant whining and cribbing about things by the protagonist throughout the story, which will irritate the readers after a point of time, as a reader would also seek for some peace point while reading the book and there he can get a bit disappointed. While writing the writer has gone overboard with the problems in the life of the protagonist, Ayesha and has not even given a single ray of hope in her life throughout the novel.

FINAL VERDICT

All in all, Karachi, You’re killing me is a nice book and can be categorized as one time read and can be enjoyed with a can of Murree beer.

 “I smile and walk out of the hotel, feeling exhilarated. I look back at the doors, through which I had walked in defeated just a few hours ago. I look up at the sky and smile. Perhaps my luck has finally changed?”

The book is available at lelobooks, an online bookstore in India, which is offering an attractive discount on the books of the author Saba Imtiaz and especially over this book as we have great expectations from the literary works of the author.