Haveli

This book picks up five or six years after Shabanu -- this review contains spoilers for that book. We see Shabanu now as the youngest wife of a wealthy older man, raising her young daughter Mumtaz. The first three wives look down on Shabanu, and she fears for her safety and that of Mumtaz. She would also like to see Mumtaz educated, so her future will be more secure. Shabanu's plan is to live at the haveli, her husband's city house, while the government is in session. She can find Mumtaz a tutor there, and they will be safe from the other wives, who prefer to live in a newer and more stylish part of town. But when one of Shabanu's only friends is forced into an arranged marriage even more distasteful than Shabanu's own, plans must need show more change once again...

I found this a rather stressful read, as Shabanu's life is one of nearly constant anxiety and hidden danger. Of course, this also made for a quick and compelling read. I'm not entirely satisfied with the book's ending, but there is a third book, so I will probably read that one and see if it resolves some of the things I found problematic. show less

A compelling and wrenching sequel to Shabanu, this novel follows protagonist Shabanu through her married life and challenges of a multi-generational and jealous household in Pakistan.

The sequel to the Newberry award winning novel Shabanu, this book follows Shabanu in her marriage with her daughter Mumtaz. Haveli would be a good selection for students who had a strong reaction to the first novel, however it is important to remember that both works do have some violence and ideologically sensitive material. Once again this work would likely appeal more to girls than boys.

Reading Level: 7.5

This sequel to the YA novel Shabanu picks up several years later, when the young protagonist has been married for a few years and has one child. Perhaps a bit less young adult in its appeal than its predecessor, it should still appeal to older teens and adults and make for an interesting reading, if they have read the first book or not. Without judgment or sentimentality, it focuses on the special difficulties of life as a young married woman in Pakistan. This time, the culture described so evocatively centers on the city of Lahore and Punjabi custom, rather than that of the Cholistan desert people. Well-developed dramatic tension and a pleasant, readable style make for good reading.

This sequel to Shabanu continues her story of sacrifice and imprisonment.

this is such a fantastic book! It is the sequel to Shabanu and even better. I wish that everyone could read it and enjoy it!

Sequel to Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind