Broken Threads
My Family from Empire to Independence
(Author) Mishal HusainA SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE WESTMINSTER BOOK AWARDS A TABLET BOOK OF THE YEAR 'One of the best memoirs I've read in years' SATHNAM SANGHERA 'Beautifully written, emotional and deeply personal, yet universal ... One can't help but be moved by this story of upheaval and transformation' SADIQ KHAN An extraordinary family memoir from acclaimed newsreader and journalist, Mishal Husain, uncovering the story of her grandparents' lives amidst empire, political upheaval and partition. 'I witnessed the dwindling glow of the British Empire. I saw small men entrusted with great jobs, playing with the destiny of millions' The lives of Mishal Husain's grandparents changed forever in 1947, as the new nation states of India and Pakistan were born. For years she had a partial story, a patchwork of memories and anecdotes: hurried departures, lucky escapes from violence and homes never seen again. Decades later, the fragment of an old sari sent Mishal on a journey through time, using letters, diaries, memoirs and audio tapes to trace four lives shaped by the Raj, a world war, independence and partition. Mumtaz rejects the marriage arranged for him as he forges a life with Mary, a devout Catholic from an Anglo-Indian family, while Tahirah and Shahid watch the politics of pre-partition Delhi unfold at close quarters. As freedom comes, bonds fray and communities are divided, leaving two couples to forge new identities, while never forgetting the shared heritage of the past. 'Husain has written an arresting family memoir ... her explanation of partition is more level-headed than that of many professional historians' THE TIMES 'A spectacular achievement. It is an incisive and carefully researched historical account, and as moving and true a personal narrative' GUARDIAN '[Husain] has managed to make such a complex story so accessible' OBSERVER 'I was so moved by this stirring and deeply moving account that is at once a love story as well as a chronicle of one of the most cataclysmic events in South Asia' BARKHA DUTT 'Like silks in the precious fragment of the heirloom sari of its title, Broken Threads is woven from rich sources. It is a beautiful book, informed and informative, cool and factual, poetic and elegiac' FINANCIAL TIMES 'A deeply engrossing book ... I was completely gripped by it' INDIA KNIGHT
Mishal Husain
Mishal Husain is a British journalist and news presenter known for her work on BBC News. She has covered major global events such as the Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war, and the Brexit referendum. Husain's journalistic style is characterized by her insightful analysis and in-depth reporting on complex issues.
One of her most notable works is her coverage of the 2016 US Presidential election, where she provided comprehensive and impartial reporting on the candidates and their policies. Husain's impact on the field of journalism is evident in her ability to deliver breaking news with clarity and professionalism.
Overall, Mishal Husain has made significant contributions to the field of journalism through her exceptional reporting skills and dedication to delivering accurate and unbiased news coverage. Her most famous work is her coverage of major international events, which has earned her widespread acclaim and recognition in the industry.
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