hen Mariam Khuhro is suddenly widowed in a foreign country at 23, the death also threatens the few freedoms she has managed to win from her conservative family in Pakistan. Distance affords some protection, however. Tehran, her new home, is much more welcoming to single women than Karachi could ever be.

As the challenges of adjusting to her new life threaten to overwhelm her, help appears in the form of the Zamanis, a local family that steps in, without judgment, and accepts her as their own. Their son, Elyas Zamani, may have more tender motives, but many things stand between Mariam and a second chance at love.

For one, Elyas may have caused the car accident that killed her husband; for another, the latter may have left more than just memories behind.

The plot of Biryani and Tahchin would make for interesting gossip around a tea table. Still, the author, Raazia Sajid, stubbornly resists falling into the usual traps of Pakistani pop culture. Mariam’s story is told clearly and without subtext; readers are spared the people and what they might say. There is no need to waste words, after all, over something every Pakistani woman can easily imagine. If her relatives back home are shocked by her choices, we never find out.

Instead, the story begins on the day Mariam’s husband, Malik Shah, is killed. It quickly moves to what happens next for those involved. Raazia Sajid uses a series of flashbacks to paint a picture of the dead man and the kind of life her protagonist lived with him. This device prevents the bleakness of Mariam’s marriage from slowing down the narrative and creates a clever mirroring effect, comparing her life before and after the tragedy.

It also shows how the protagonist herself changes. She moves away from a sheltered and restricted existence becomes responsible for herself, without any close family to rely on. This transformation includes a realisation that life does not have to follow the path mapped out by her parents or the society. Her struggles may seem simple on the surface, but to any desi woman from a conservative family, she a relatable character in (English) print.

It is a treat to read about Iran and Iranian culture without a Western lens. The author provides a glimpse into everything from home life to bureaucracy, describing both festivals and red tape, as well as the beautiful scenery and delicious food. Many raders will likely finish the book with a craving to find their nearest Iranian restaurant and sample the dishes featured in its pages.

There are many kinds of rebellions in the world. Biryani & Tahchin is more like the quiet emergence of flowers in cracks in concrete than the violent breaking of a storm. 

In this story, Iran is an Islamic Republic that operates differently from Pakistan. Mariam is not subjected to the kind of scrutiny, moral policing or restrictions expected back home. Women seem to have a greater share in public life, confidently using public transport and occupying public spaces such as parks and gyms.

Raazia Sajid uses Mariam’s story to address a number of taboos. These include therapy, adoption and mixed feelings around pregnancy and raising children. Character development in this book is mostly about processing one’s feelings through community and professional help. It is refreshing to read about a form of parenthood that can be examined clearly – whether through Mariam’s evolving relationship with her own parents or her own journey into parenthood.

Few debuts are perfect. While Biryani & Tahchin has an engaging plot, it lacks accounts of introspection in various situations the main character faces. The therapy sessions provide the conclusions but no insights into the process that helps Mariam reach those. Readers waiting for the protagonist to stand her ground when she is pushed or to voice her dissatisfaction may be disappointed. There is a moment in the novel when Mariam finally utters a small, unselfish complaint about how Malik treats her. Even that is said behind his back and addressed to a ceiling fan. For some readers who can relate with such characters, even these gentle rebellions may feel monumental. Those who cannot, may see a frustrating sign of weakness that seems unrealistic.

There are many kinds of rebellions in the world. Biryani & Tahchin is more like the quiet emergence of flowers in cracks in concrete than the violent breaking of a storm. It is a novel about hope, second chances and how life has an almost limitless capacity to expand if one allows it. Most importantly, it is about the power of making one’s own choices and the profound sense of freedom that comes from the exercise.

Biryani & Tahchin

Author: Raazia Sajid

Publisher:

Reverie Publishers

Pages: 275, Paperback

Price: Rs2,050

The reviewer writes speculative short fiction and poetry and has reviewed books for IndieReader.