Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s granddaughter, Fatima Bhutto is all set to release a third book, following her best-selling debut novel The Shadow of the Crescent Moon and Songs of Blood and Sword. Her latest work of fiction, titled The Runaways will be published by Penguin.
Regarding the release of her latest book, Fatima tweeted, “I am very happy that The Runaways, my new novel, will be published first in Pakistan, India and the region by Penguin India this October.”
I am very happy that The Runaways, my new novel, will be published first in Pakistan, India and the region by @PenguinIndia this October. #therunaways https://t.co/NaVJb1pcwm
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) April 11, 2018
According to Penguin India, the upcoming novel delves into burning questions about modern Muslim identity in a world aflame with violence. From the slums of Karachi to life in Portsmouth, the story follows three individuals who cross paths in the middle of a desert – forcing them to make difficult decisions.
Anita Rose lives in a concrete block in one of Karachi’s biggest slums, languishing in poverty with her mother and older brother. Determined to escape her stifling circumstances, she struggles to educate herself, scribbling down English words—gleaned from watching TV or taught by her elderly neighbour—in her most prized possession: a glossy red notebook. All the while she is aware that a larger destiny awaits her.
On the other side of Karachi lives Monty, whose father owns half the city. But Monty wants more than fast cars and easy girls. When the rebellious Layla joins his school, he knows his life will never be the same again.
And far away in Portsmouth, Sunny fits in nowhere. It is only when he meets his charismatic, suntanned cousin Oz—whose smile makes Sunny feel found—that he realises his true purpose.
These three disparate lives will cross paths in the middle of a desert, a place where life and death walk hand-in-hand, and where their closely guarded secrets will force them to make a terrible choice.