Plot Summary

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon

Fatima Bhutto
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The Shadow of the Crescent Moon

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

Book Brief

Fatima Bhutto

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pakistan • Contemporary

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto is set in the fictional town of Mir Ali in northwestern Pakistan, during a few hours of Eid in 2007. It follows three brothers—Aman Erum, Sikandar, and Hayat—and two women—Samarra and Mina—connected to them, as their intersecting lives reveal the personal and political complexities of the region amidst ongoing war and violence. The book includes graphic depictions of terrorist attacks and sexual violence.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Dark

Reviews & Readership

3.6

1,839 ratings

47%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

In The Shadow of the Crescent Moon, Fatima Bhutto delivers a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of a war-torn Pakistani town. The novel is lauded for its rich character development and evocative prose, yet some find the pacing uneven. Bhutto’s exploration of loyalty and loss is both compelling and heartfelt, making it a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Shadow of the Crescent Moon?

A reader who would enjoy The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto is one interested in contemporary South Asian literature, political intrigue, and multifaceted narratives. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Mohsin Hamid's The Reluctant Fundamentalist will find similar themes of conflict, identity, and personal struggle.

3.6

1,839 ratings

47%

Loved it

36%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

240

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Pakistan • Contemporary

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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