Clifton Bridge by Irshad AbdulKadir: book review

The book, Clifton Bridge: stories of innocence and experience from Pakistan (2013), is a collection of 10 tales set in contemporary Pakistan.

Characters from all walks of life – from beggars to diplomats – are depicted in the stories covering a wide cross-section of places and times. Set in Karachi, two wives make a pact when their husband takes a third and younger wife in the first story, All in the Family. Clifton Bridge, set in Karachi, is about the sale of kidneys to an organ transplant mafia. Diva is an interesting story of Sultana, the dreamer married to Khalid with a son, whose performances drew audiences from around the world. The loneliness of travel takes its toll, and she’d retreat from the world after her tours – once for almost three months. One event was called the greatest musical on earth.

Queen’s Garden is my favourite. It tells of the vegetable stall called Queen’s Garden near where Amanullah and Maria would regularly meet. After their separation, Maria’s pregnancy is not wanted. She decides to leave the newborn child “amidst a heap of cauliflowers” where she knows that the vegetable vendor, Krishnan, will find and care for the baby. Attached to the baby’s ankle is a tag with the writing: Maria Fernandes; father unknown, “Krishnanji, please keep the baby for his father. You know him.” Krishnan was Hindu, the baby’s mother was Christian, but the father, whom he does know, was Muslim. Krishnan knows what he has to do.

Two is an Odd Number is about an “unusual couple.” Pregnancy was unexpected, but ended in a miscarriage. “Each blamed the other. She went [to her family] home to recuperate and never returned. He was hostile, not wanting her back. Divorce came as a relief.” But over time, they still pined for each other.

Although not connected, the stories have common themes: love, expectations, ambition, disillusionment, and the quest for “something more” in life. Well told, with interesting twists of fate, the collection provides a brief insight into different lives and uncommon relationships.

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