Natasha is ten years old when her parents take her back to Islamabad. Born and bred in Los Angeles, she is less than keen on the move. Slowly she assimilates, guided by a grandmother who is determined to transform her and discovering the customary traditions through funerals and weddings. When an early marriage presents the opportunity to move back to the land of her birth, however, Natasha jumps at it, only to be disappointed by the less than favourable treatment of Muslims she witnesses in the post 9/11 America.
Spanning a decade (1994-2004), Rodeo Drive to Raja Bazaar is a social and political portrait of contemporary Pakistan and its immigrant population in America. With its mixture of the rich, poor and middle classes, democracy interspersed with military rule, liberals facing off with conservatives, and increasing interplay of religion, the novel is at once humorous, thought-provoking and an easy read for all ages. Rodeo Drive to Raja Bazaar was launched at the Pakistan High Commission in London, England on October 27, 2006. Her Excellency Dr. Maleeha Lodhi introduced the novel to the audience. Click to watch video. Rodeo Drive to Raja Bazaar can be purchased through bookstores in the USA, UK and Pakistan or on-line through the following sites:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes & Noble
Following is a list of press coverage for the book:
- Review, Dawn, Pakistan--June 03, 2007 click to view
- BBC Radio Interview, UK--March 19, 2007 click to listen
- Review, Newsline, Pakistan--February 12, 2007 click to view page 1 click to view page 2
- The Saturday Post, USA--October 21, 2006 click to view
- Excerpts, Dawn, Pakistan--September 10, 2006 click to view
- Dawn, Pakistan--August, 27, 2006 click to view
- Pakistan Link, USA--August 25, 2006 click to view
- Gulf News, Dubai--August 24, 2006 click to view