Journalist Sadiya Ansari takes us on a personal adventure in her debut nonfiction book, In Exile: Rupture, Reunion, and My Grandmother’s Secret Life. The story starts with the death of her grandmother Tahira—an event that triggers Ansari to begin asking questions about her family’s past. As she does so, she finds more than she bargains for and starts digging deeper into her familial history for answers.
The voices in the book alternate between Ansari’s point of view as she investigates and a narration of Tahira’s story beginning in 1936. This is how the author captures what a significant shift in culture looks like while also offering a captivating history lesson on the Partition of India.
In Exile touches on themes of identity and family in a way that may be especially familiar to second-generation immigrants. However, Ansari’s story is relatable to all as she frames the narrative in such a way that invites readers from different backgrounds to connect with the memoir. She delves into her grandmother’s internal thoughts, presenting a universal exploration of human experiences.
Toward the end of the book, just when we find ourselves starting to understand Tahira as more than a woman who made “questionable” choices, Ansari reminds us that “rebellion is not always a feminist act. Rebellion is not always an admirable act.” This biography is not about joyful memories nor a happy ending, but rather an acknowledgment of a woman’s past leading to a new generation’s healing and forgiveness in the present.
Top Image Via House of Anansi Press |
