The Crow Eaters

Seeking capitalist ventures and fortune, Faredoon 'Freddy' Junglewalla moves his family — his pregnant wife, children and belligerent mother-in-law — from their ancestral village in rural India to the bustling metropolis of Lahore. Welcomed by the small but tight-knit Parsi community, Freddy establishes a booming business and his family soon become one of the most respected in Lahore. It seems that the only thing holding Freddy back is his sizeable and burdensome mother-in-law. As his family grows, and events — funny, tragic and life-changing — occur, Freddy's reach permeates the wider country and an intricate portrait of colonial India is revealed. But when tragedy forces Freddy to rethink his legacy, intimations of historic change loom on the country's horizon. Wickedly funny and searingly honest, The Crow Eaters is a vibrant portrait of a Parsi family taking its place in colonial India on the brink of the 20th Century, from one of Pakistan's best-loved and finest novelists. 'One of the great comic novels of the 20th Century.' — Hanif Kureishi 'A novel of immense charm and exuberance … Sidhwa consistently imparts the magic and colour of India even in its most down-to-earth aspects.' — The Times 'Bapsi Sidhwa's voice — comic, serious, subtle, always sprightly — is an important one to hear. I'm delighted to see her terrific novels back in print.' — Salman Rushide 'The Crow Eaters is an excellent novel … The author is a born storyteller.' — New Statesman 'Sidhwa writes with an exuberance and geniality which make The Crow Eaters illuminating and memorable.' — Jim Crace