Moth

"A heartbreaking and heartwarming novel that exposes the ugliness of religious enmities and affirms the redemptive beauty of love and homecoming. Razak unflinchingly recreates the horror of Partition and its devastating effect on one family. The result is a novel that feels surprisingly timely and relevant." — Thrity Umrigar, bestselling author of Honor and The Space Between Us
“Powerful and heartbreaking... The book's primary and unflinching focus is the female members of the household: Ma, her daughters Alma and Roop, among others, all drawn with such skill and love that they remain with you long after the final sentence.” — Observer
“One of the best debuts I've ever read. It made my heart swell.” — Sarah Winman, author of Tin Man and Still Life
"The depth of characterization is remarkable, as is the evocation of place. . .This is a devastating yet vital tale of suffering and strength from an exceptional debut author." — Booklist (starred review)
“I was utterly transported by Moth. In exquisite prose, Melody Razak takes us right to the heart and the heat of Partition-era Delhi - a fracturing city, a fracturing nation and a family attempting to hold themselves together when everything threatens to tear them apart. Moth is a rare, winged delight—able to stare unflinchingly into the darkness, while always illuminated by a fierce love for life. A stunning, powerful work by a brave new voice in British fiction.” — Anna Hope, author of Expectation
“Moth is a powerful and moving story of a liberal, Brahmin family caught up in the violence and social unrest of post-partition India. It is written with absolute fidelity to the small rituals of daily life, the allegiances and jealousies within families, and the huge and overwhelming forces of history. Every character springs from the page, involving the reader completely in their triumphs and sufferings - the writer's skill and sympathy are immense. I loved it.”  — Clare Chambers, author of Small Pleasures
"An exceptional, beautifully written story." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“From the first beautiful and terrifying pages I couldn't put Moth down. . . . One of the most immersive reading experiences I can remember: I loved this book.” — Sally Magnusson, author of The Sealwoman's Gift
“Both a heartbreaking and heart-warming story…. Razak hones in on the strength and suffering of women; with moments as small as sharing stories, cooking food and plaiting hair becoming lifelines. Moth has a backdrop of religion, politics, class and violence, but the central focus is on family life. The character portrayal is so intricate that as the plot twists and turns, you’ll truly care what happens to them. 9/10” — Independent
“Assured and powerful.” — Harper's Bazaar, UK
“An exceptional novel that is historical fiction at its finest.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Gripping. . . . Razak painstakingly paints a portrait of a family; their rituals, their private languages, their shared lives. This careful characterisation pays off, heartbreakingly, when the horrors of partition wreak havoc on small, happy lives.” — Times
"Indian political history is effectively played out in this intense, focused debut, with Razak’s eloquent writing making historical events seem like they are just taking place now." — Library Journal, starred review
“Unfaltering over 12-plus hours, Nankani ensures another impressive aural experience.” — Booklist (audio)