Paperback review: At the Time of Partition, By Moniza Alvi

Saturday 23 November 2013 17:43 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Alvi, a former TS Eliot and Whitbread poetry prizes shortlistee, takes a historical journey as the structure for this narrative poem.

The year is 1947 – the year of Partition – and a family is forced to leave their home in Ludhiana for Lahore. It begins with a bus journey, taken in an impressionistic haze of fear and brutality as men and women are butchered in the crossing. Alvi captures the trauma of a nation in this slim, exquisitely mournful story of departure, migration and the uncertain feelings of settling in a new country: “It will take time./Of course, of course.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Paperback review: At the Time of Partition, By Moniza Alvi

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering