Fiction

Summary

CHOSEN AS A BOOK OF 2022 BY THE GUARDIAN， OBSERVER， DAILY MAIL AND FINANCIAL TIMES

A dazzling new novel of friendship， identity and the unknowability of other people - from the international bestselling author of Home Fire， winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction

Fourteen-year-old Maryam and Zahra have always been the best of friends， despite their different backgrounds。 Maryam takes for granted that she will stay in Karachi and inherit the family business; while Zahra keeps her desires secret， and dreams of escaping abroad。

This year， 1988， anything seems possible for the girls; and for Pakistan， emerging from the darkness of dictatorship into a bright future under another young woman， Benazir Bhutto。 But a snap decision at a party celebrating the return of democracy brings the girls' childhoods abruptly to an end。 Its consequences will shape their futures in ways they cannot imagine。

Three decades later， in London， Zahra and Maryam are still best friends despite living very different lives。 But when unwelcome ghosts from their shared past re-enter their world， both women find themselves driven to act in ways that will stretch and twist their bond beyond all recognition。

Best of Friends is a novel about Britain today， about power and how we use it， and about what we owe to those who've loved us the longest。

'A new Kamila Shamsie novel is always worth celebrating， but Best of Friends is something else: an epic story that explores the ties of childhood friendship， the possibility of escape， the way the political world intrudes into the personal， all through the lens of two sharply drawn protagonists' Observer， Books of the Year 2022

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Reviews

gills ， 2022-09-20 00:00

A story about enduring friendshipWe start out in Karachi in the 1980s as fourteen year old best friends Zahra Ali and Maryam Khan return to school after the summer holidays。 They are an unlikely pair in many ways， including academically and their social status。 Maryam's path in life seems paved out before her， as she is the chosen heir to a family business empire。 Zahra is a bright and promising student who hopes that her academic prowess will help land her a place at a British or American unive A story about enduring friendshipWe start out in Karachi in the 1980s as fourteen year old best friends Zahra Ali and Maryam Khan return to school after the summer holidays。 They are an unlikely pair in many ways， including academically and their social status。 Maryam's path in life seems paved out before her， as she is the chosen heir to a family business empire。 Zahra is a bright and promising student who hopes that her academic prowess will help land her a place at a British or American university。As Pakistan's dictator， General Zia is killed， and political revolution comes about bringing Benazir Bhutto into power; the girls attend a party at which a decision is made which will change their futures irreparably。Fast forward to London in 2019， where both women now live。 They are still friends， and are both incredibly successful in their chosen careers。 Here the story becomes quite political （and for my mind， heavy going）， but this is due to their jobs and is necessary for the storylines threading through the book。Essentially this is a story about friendship， and all the baggage that goes with it， with some political issues thrown in for good measure。 I enjoyed the earlier part of the book， based in Karachi - it was an enjoyable read; but I found parts of the latter part of the book quite heavy going。。。。more

Kelly Hollingworth ， 2022-09-20 00:00

I had been eagerly anticipating reading this book having seen glowing reviews for the author’s other books。 It tells the story of two friends， Maryam and Zahra， in two parts， as teenagers in Karachi in the late 1980’s and forty years later， in London。I found aspects of both parts interesting， particularly the historical details about Pakistan’s first female democratically elected leader Benazir Bhutto， and the latter part focusing on modern politics and processes。 That said， I found the whole bo I had been eagerly anticipating reading this book having seen glowing reviews for the author’s other books。 It tells the story of two friends， Maryam and Zahra， in two parts， as teenagers in Karachi in the late 1980’s and forty years later， in London。I found aspects of both parts interesting， particularly the historical details about Pakistan’s first female democratically elected leader Benazir Bhutto， and the latter part focusing on modern politics and processes。 That said， I found the whole book took me much longer to read than my usual， few days or a week at most。 I didn’t feel compelled to pick it up and I was left disappointed by the ending。 On a personal structural level I prefer fairly short chapters and these were large chunks of writing which may have caused my lack of flow。Overall the book may appeal to readers who enjoy books about friendship， history， politics and identity。。。。more

Hazel Tyson ， 2022-09-19 00:00

This book is mainly about women empowerment and overcoming cultural differences and restrictions for women in the work place， especially women of colour in high powered roles。 The scene is set in Karachi 1989， two girls fourteen year old girls Maryam and Zahra are just discovering their places in the world and what is to be expected of them when they grow up。 Both girls believe their friendship will stand the test of time， which is most ways is very true。 Little do they know that with the death This book is mainly about women empowerment and overcoming cultural differences and restrictions for women in the work place， especially women of colour in high powered roles。 The scene is set in Karachi 1989， two girls fourteen year old girls Maryam and Zahra are just discovering their places in the world and what is to be expected of them when they grow up。 Both girls believe their friendship will stand the test of time， which is most ways is very true。 Little do they know that with the death of the current male government official and the new female leader appointed， also their one night of throwing all rules out of the window， would change their paths of destiny forever。 Maryam is set to inherit the family leather company but her actions of late of lead her grandfather to question her responsibility。 Zahra believes that there is more to the world than Karachi leads you to believe and wants to grasp it with both hands and not look back。 I would call this an average read， too political for me but definitely bigs up women empowerment。。。。more

Margaret McCulloch-Keeble ， 2022-09-19 00:00

I'm torn with this one。 I was quite enjoying it， quite engrossed and I kind of stopped for a few hours for my birthday and found it quite difficult to get back into afterwards but I can't say why。 I really had to force myself to carry on， yet as I say I'm stumped as to why。 It simply didn't sustain me in the end。 I'm torn with this one。 I was quite enjoying it， quite engrossed and I kind of stopped for a few hours for my birthday and found it quite difficult to get back into afterwards but I can't say why。 I really had to force myself to carry on， yet as I say I'm stumped as to why。 It simply didn't sustain me in the end。。。。more

Peta Hooper ， 2022-09-19 00:00

The story opens in Karachi 1988 and two girls Zahra and Maryam are best friends。But at this point Karachi is in turmoil and on the brink of great change。The dictatorship is falling and a female leader is elected。But one night of fun and frolics for the girls changes their lives。The girls go driving out with some boys which is cultural taboo。Fast forward to present day London and both girls are now grown， successful and driven women。Their lives have diverged and followed different courses but the The story opens in Karachi 1988 and two girls Zahra and Maryam are best friends。But at this point Karachi is in turmoil and on the brink of great change。The dictatorship is falling and a female leader is elected。But one night of fun and frolics for the girls changes their lives。The girls go driving out with some boys which is cultural taboo。Fast forward to present day London and both girls are now grown， successful and driven women。Their lives have diverged and followed different courses but the echoes of the scandal of that night resonates down the years and have in different yet indirect ways shaped the women and their current lives。Though hidden deep the buried resentments rears its head and only time will tell if their friendship can be salvaged。Really enjoyed this subtle look at the nuances of culture， friendships and above all human relationships through our lives。。。。more

Sara Millward ， 2022-09-18 00:00

I was excited to get the opportunity to read this novel by this acclaimed author， a former women's fiction prize winner。 The story starts in Karachi with political unrest and an unscrupulous government and 2 teenage girls trying to understand the changes that are happening to them and around them。An incident then occurs that has a significant impact on both girls。 The story then jumps 20 years or so and picks up with the success of the pair in London。 It tells of their continued friendship despi I was excited to get the opportunity to read this novel by this acclaimed author， a former women's fiction prize winner。 The story starts in Karachi with political unrest and an unscrupulous government and 2 teenage girls trying to understand the changes that are happening to them and around them。An incident then occurs that has a significant impact on both girls。 The story then jumps 20 years or so and picks up with the success of the pair in London。 It tells of their continued friendship despite being such different characters。 The ending of the story is disappointing and seems rushed and poorly thought out compared with the initial promise of the novel。。。。more

Laura ， 2022-09-18 00:00

Maryam and Zahra are teenage girls growing up in Karachi in the late 1980s when Benazir Bhutto is democratically elected after the death of dictator General Zia。 Both are inspired by the progressive future that thirty-five year old Bhutto seems to promise， but both are also dealing with the rise of what Maryam calls ‘girlfear’: the growing realisation that they cannot move through the world in the same way as men。 And although they are close friends， both from relatively privileged backgrounds， Maryam and Zahra are teenage girls growing up in Karachi in the late 1980s when Benazir Bhutto is democratically elected after the death of dictator General Zia。 Both are inspired by the progressive future that thirty-five year old Bhutto seems to promise， but both are also dealing with the rise of what Maryam calls ‘girlfear’: the growing realisation that they cannot move through the world in the same way as men。 And although they are close friends， both from relatively privileged backgrounds， they are at heart very different: wealthy Maryam is heir to her family’s leather business， dreaming of one day taking her grandfather’s place， while middle-class， idealistic Zahra wants to go to Cambridge and be a lawyer。 The slow trace of desire and unease as the girls recognise their awakening sexuality is very well done， setting Best of Friends apart from many similar coming-of-age novels; as does the evocation of the particular experience of being a teenager in this place， in this time。Kamila Shamsie’s previous novel， Home Fire， was remorseless and explosive; given that， I’m not surprised that she wanted to write something rather gentler， with lower stakes。 Nevertheless， I liked the development of Maryam and Zahra’s relationship as they move away from their early years and become successful forty-something women in London。 I’ve said before that Shamsie’s writing can be heavy-handed， and that isn’t totally absent here; sometimes she spells out exactly what she wants to say about friendship rather than letting the reader realise it。 ‘Childhood friendship really was the most mysterious of all relationships… it was built around rules that didn’t extend to any other pairing in life’。 However， there are also more thought-provoking observations， such as the description of two elderly women walking together that is allowed to speak for itself。And while Maryam and Zahra at first appear to be differentiated rather schematically from each other， I thought both grew into much richer characters。 I was especially heartened by how seriously Shamsie takes Zahra’s political and moral commitments。 Writers often suggest that， when it really comes down to it， what’s ‘real’ is your love for your friends and family and that will always come first。 That’s definitely Maryam’s view， but it’s not Zahra’s – or at least， her definition of those she loves stretches much further than those who are personally known to her。 As Maryam and Zahra approach their moment of reckoning， it’s clear that what sets them apart isn’t jealousy or petty resentment but a real difference in their core values， which is so refreshing after reading so many novels like Anna Hope’s Expectation， which boil down problems in female friendship to grudges over men or children。I didn’t think Shamsie quite hit the emotional climax she wanted to in this novel， but it’s an absorbing read that， for me， moves far away from the problems I had with her earlier historical fiction， Burnt Shadows and A God In Every Stone， even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Home Fire。I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review。。。。more

Laura Robinson ， 2022-09-18 00:00

I really enjoyed the first half of this book and was really insightful of a friendship of two young girls and the life they had in Pakistan。 The second half which is then many years later when they are both grown women living in London is not at as good and although there is a story it didn’t feel it really went anywhere。 The characters were good throughout and brought good characteristics to the story， this is probably why I managed to read it until the end。 It took me ages to read in comparis I really enjoyed the first half of this book and was really insightful of a friendship of two young girls and the life they had in Pakistan。 The second half which is then many years later when they are both grown women living in London is not at as good and although there is a story it didn’t feel it really went anywhere。 The characters were good throughout and brought good characteristics to the story， this is probably why I managed to read it until the end。 It took me ages to read in comparison to other books and was disappointed with the ending。 The ending didn’t really do anything to bring closure to the book so feel it didn’t get the ending it deserved。 Overall an okay book but I wouldn’t be in a rush to read any others by this author now。 The cover of the book is lovely and really like that。 As they say never judge a book by it’s cover and this is a prime example 。。。more

Linda Hepworth ， 2022-09-18 00:00

A powerful， thought-provoking story。 Full review to follow。

Lily Rose ， 2022-09-18 00:00

Immediately I was drawn in by the fact it is a book by Kamila Shamsie！ This book is absolutely beautiful and compelling。 The book is written in such an easy flowing way which intrigued and captivated me。 It was truly an experience to meet such wonderful characters， the story line and the plot being extraordinary！ Honestly it was one of the most touching book I’ve read in a while。 Once you get into the swing of the book it’s just pure joy， each page giving off such a heart warming feeling， the fe Immediately I was drawn in by the fact it is a book by Kamila Shamsie！ This book is absolutely beautiful and compelling。 The book is written in such an easy flowing way which intrigued and captivated me。 It was truly an experience to meet such wonderful characters， the story line and the plot being extraordinary！ Honestly it was one of the most touching book I’ve read in a while。 Once you get into the swing of the book it’s just pure joy， each page giving off such a heart warming feeling， the feeling of completeness。 It’s definitely a huge jump from my usual addiction to the more physiological thrillers and true crime genre， but this has definitely got to be an exception， it truly being a work of art。 I feel like it would be wrong for me to not recommend such a book。 Even the characters were such unique individuals as themselves， Maryam and Zahra being these relatable characters who truly gives me a sense of comfort inside。 Their friendship is phenomenal！！ It’s such a great read which I would most definitely recommend。。。。more

Rita Egan ， 2022-09-17 00:00

Best of FriendsBy Kamila ShamsieThis book holds so much promise， the tested bonds of friendship， 1980s Pakistan around the time that the country was on the brink of gender equality， or was it？ Present day London in the penumbra of Brexit。 However this was such a difficult read for me。 I actually enjoyed the first part of the story while Maryam and Zahra and their families still lived in Karachi， but even that was a struggle to get through。 The writing style was very confused。 How many times did Best of FriendsBy Kamila ShamsieThis book holds so much promise， the tested bonds of friendship， 1980s Pakistan around the time that the country was on the brink of gender equality， or was it？ Present day London in the penumbra of Brexit。 However this was such a difficult read for me。 I actually enjoyed the first part of the story while Maryam and Zahra and their families still lived in Karachi， but even that was a struggle to get through。 The writing style was very confused。 How many times did I go back to reread passages to try and figure out who was talking？ The narrative was jittery， as though it was badly translated from another language， or as though the author was trying to be philosophical or rhetorical， and it just didn't land， for me anyway。 By the time the story had moved onto London， I found it even harder to understand and this impacted so much on my enjoyment。What I liked: I was interested in the nature of the "friendship" between Maryam and Zahra。 My understanding is that the girls had incorrectly named their status and that what they had was actually described by the Moniker they had sarcastically devised as young children。 They were like double agents in their own toxic friendship。I like the message about girl danger， and I think that the build up to the pivotal event is very well done。 It drove me mad that both girls allowed that event to dictate so much of the rest of their lives。 I like the way vengefulness is addressed and how the author handles the dichotomy of who and what each girl thinks the other is。 I get the story， I think I understand the message the author was describing， however it felt like it needed more to make the novel viable， I think it needed clearer writing and less frippery。Thanks to #nergalley and #bloomsburypublishingplc for the eARC 。。。more

Natalie Mayer ， 2022-09-17 00:00

This was a well-written book following the lives of 2 girls from age 14， which is then picked up when they're in adulthood。 The event which happens when they're 14 didn't seem particularly life-changing for me， but it's interesting to see how their lives diverge from being such close friends to slowly drifting apart。 They're from very different backgrounds， and the picture is painted very well of the lives of both of them so you can really imagine it。 The author isn't afraid to show the less nic This was a well-written book following the lives of 2 girls from age 14， which is then picked up when they're in adulthood。 The event which happens when they're 14 didn't seem particularly life-changing for me， but it's interesting to see how their lives diverge from being such close friends to slowly drifting apart。 They're from very different backgrounds， and the picture is painted very well of the lives of both of them so you can really imagine it。 The author isn't afraid to show the less nice side of the characters and it's quite refreshing to have flawed characters。 I personally found the end to be a bit lacking - there was no official closure， more of a drifting apart。 I enjoyed the book on the whole， it opened my eyes to worlds I didn't know much about before， and makes you wonder how true all the hobnobbing with politicians for favours is！。。。more

Gemma ， 2022-09-13 00:00

I am always on the lookout for books that depict realistic and positive female friendship。 This was the main reason I was drawn to this book as it promised an interesting story centered around a friendship between Maryam and Zahra， spanning forty years。The book opens in 1988 Karachi where we meet Maryam and Zahra as 14 year old girls experiencing puberty， first crushes and school drama against the backdrop of political change。 The fears and difficulties of becoming young women who draw the atten I am always on the lookout for books that depict realistic and positive female friendship。 This was the main reason I was drawn to this book as it promised an interesting story centered around a friendship between Maryam and Zahra， spanning forty years。The book opens in 1988 Karachi where we meet Maryam and Zahra as 14 year old girls experiencing puberty， first crushes and school drama against the backdrop of political change。 The fears and difficulties of becoming young women who draw the attention of men around them is depicted really well and is woven well into the somewhat YA descriptions of their day to day lives。The story then moves to London in the present day with the girls now grown up and living with the ghosts of their shared past and a night that changed everything。 My biggest issue with this part of the story was that I didn't feel like I got to know the girls well enough in the first part to really connect with them and so the whole story just fell flat for me。 On the whole， this was a very slow paced book and I was quite frequently bored as the character depth was lacking and little of interest happened in the plot for long sections so it felt like a slog to get through at times。 It is a shame as there were some intriguing and clever themes at play but it didn't feel like they were used to their full potential。 Thank you to Readers First for the copy of this book。。。。more

Mo ， 2022-09-12 00:00

I am grateful to Bloomsbury for the ARCHow I feel about 'Best of Friends' is difficult to convey as a simple star rating。On the one hand， I found it hard to read， because its characters are deeply unsympathetic， and their perspective on events is skewed and often exaggerated。On the other hand， it made me think。 A lot。 Not only about the characters themselves， but also about the events that unfold in the background of the story， and which paint a picture of a divided nation， where politics is ide I am grateful to Bloomsbury for the ARCHow I feel about 'Best of Friends' is difficult to convey as a simple star rating。On the one hand， I found it hard to read， because its characters are deeply unsympathetic， and their perspective on events is skewed and often exaggerated。On the other hand， it made me think。 A lot。 Not only about the characters themselves， but also about the events that unfold in the background of the story， and which paint a picture of a divided nation， where politics is identified with sleaze， and where migrants are as disposable as "a piece of old furniture。"This is essentially a character study， recounting the long term friendship between Zahra and Maryam， from their native Karachi in the 1980s， to modern-day London。Zahra and Maryam are very different。 The former is studious， but often acts 'out-of-character'。 The latter is pragmatic and consistent。When they are both fourteen， they live through an ordeal that they both believe to have deeply changed the trajectory of their lives。 Fast-forward 30 years of so， and we get to observe the fallout。The amount of cognitive dissonance that Zahra displays throughout is astonishing。 She comes from an upper class family， yet （view spoiler）[carries a class complex （hide spoiler）]。 She believes her childhood to be filled with the terror of authoritarian rule， yet （view spoiler）[she doesn't know anyone who has ever been even slightly inconvenienced by the dictator （hide spoiler）]。 She's a high-flying human rights activist who believes in social responsibility and governance ethics， yet has no qualms about （view spoiler）[having affairs with married men （hide spoiler）]。 And so on。Maryam is a pragmatist to a fault， and has better self-awareness and character consistency。The first 40% or so of the book establishes the background of both characters， and unfolds quite slowly。 Then the ordeal takes place， and has some immediate ramifications that disproportionately affect （view spoiler）[Maryam （hide spoiler）]。 Irrespective of how it pans out though， the firmly held belief by both characters that this moment is pivotal to their futures is hugely exaggerated。Thirty years on， some of this stuff comes back to haunt both characters， and they are forced to confront some hard truths。Finally， the author makes some choices about her characters that really test believability。 Zahra and Maryam's professional successes are already quite a feat。 But for some reason， everyone in their high school class （including a school reject） is hugely successful。 They travel internationally for business and pleasure; and regularly visit the UK to watch cricket。 This is baffling， because none of these choices actually have a bearing on the story itself。。。。more

Danielle ， 2022-09-11 00:00

The first half of this book was interesting。 It’s a lovely story about friendship between two girls in Karachi。 After a pivotal experience， the story skips forward decades。 The girls - Zahra and Maryam - are still friends and have made their way in London。 I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the second half。 Perhaps because of the huge skip， or the fact that so much emphasis on was placed on that pivotal experience and the conversation about it didn’t occur right until the end。 In the end， the sto The first half of this book was interesting。 It’s a lovely story about friendship between two girls in Karachi。 After a pivotal experience， the story skips forward decades。 The girls - Zahra and Maryam - are still friends and have made their way in London。 I personally wasn’t a huge fan of the second half。 Perhaps because of the huge skip， or the fact that so much emphasis on was placed on that pivotal experience and the conversation about it didn’t occur right until the end。 In the end， the story is about the different between these two women and how they make choices based on this experience and also on their live histories。This was a good book with the first half being better for me。 I liked the half but felt like some of it wasn’t as necessary。 I also felt like there were elements to the women’s lives that were left out and could have helped with the overall story。 That explanation was super vague but it’s more of a feeling than anything else。Basically， still recommend especially for people who enjoy more of a literary fiction book。。。。more

Nicole ， 2022-09-11 00:00

Two best friends and the ways childhood events shape adult futures。 Not quite as strong as Home Fire for me personally， but I found the ending strong （though I could've done without the last scene if I'm nitpicking）。 Overall， would recommend！ Two best friends and the ways childhood events shape adult futures。 Not quite as strong as Home Fire for me personally， but I found the ending strong （though I could've done without the last scene if I'm nitpicking）。 Overall， would recommend！。。。more

Julie Atherton ， 2022-09-11 00:00

have read a few of this authors books and loved them ， but this is my least favourite， I found it quite a chore to get through in places。 The first part of the novel set in Pakistan was for me the better part。 We follow two fourteen year old girls and their friendship 。 I felt I was there and enjoyed the culture and the obsession with cricket。 An event then happens between the girls which will be with them throughout there lives。 We then pick up their lives much later as adults where they both h have read a few of this authors books and loved them ， but this is my least favourite， I found it quite a chore to get through in places。 The first part of the novel set in Pakistan was for me the better part。 We follow two fourteen year old girls and their friendship 。 I felt I was there and enjoyed the culture and the obsession with cricket。 An event then happens between the girls which will be with them throughout there lives。 We then pick up their lives much later as adults where they both have excellent careers in London。 I struggled with this part of the book。 They clearly are on different paths and even though they are friends you can feel the tension between them 。 There are lots of themes on race and belonging， and how people are treated seeking asylum。 I thought that it was very current and relevant ， however I didn’t like the ending and felt relieved when I finished it 。。。。more

Ellie ， 2022-09-11 00:00

The first part of the book is about two 14 year old school friends， Maryam and Zahra， whose lives in Pakistan were limited by the strict political regime at the time。 Then the dictator dies and they witness the birth of free elections and a woman becoming their leader。 But after a night out when their freedom goes to their heads and leads them into a dangerous situation， they are separated when one is punished by being sent to boarding school in England。I found this part of the book interesting， The first part of the book is about two 14 year old school friends， Maryam and Zahra， whose lives in Pakistan were limited by the strict political regime at the time。 Then the dictator dies and they witness the birth of free elections and a woman becoming their leader。 But after a night out when their freedom goes to their heads and leads them into a dangerous situation， they are separated when one is punished by being sent to boarding school in England。I found this part of the book interesting， less so part two set almost forty years later when both women are living in London and trying hard to continue their friendship。 This isn't helped by them living in different worlds。 Maryam has become a venture capitalist， and is invited to join to select society in which the super rich and the super powerful can request favours of each other。 Zahra has become a civil rights lawyer， heading a company that helps migrants achieve citizenship。 You just know it's all going to end in tears。 Sadly by the end when the bust up eventually happens， I was skim reading large sections because I was wanted to finish this and move an to another book where more actually happens。。。。more

LilyRose ， 2022-09-09 00:00

Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie is an interesting book about friendship and our choices。 In 1988， Karachi， fourteen year old best friends Maryam and Zahra have different backgrounds and desired futures。 Maryam wants to stay in Karachi and run the family business and Zahra wants to study and live abroad。 The girls dream of bright futures as Pakistan transitions from a grim dictatorship into a new light under the guidance of the newly elected Benazir Bhutto。 However， a single choice changes the Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie is an interesting book about friendship and our choices。 In 1988， Karachi， fourteen year old best friends Maryam and Zahra have different backgrounds and desired futures。 Maryam wants to stay in Karachi and run the family business and Zahra wants to study and live abroad。 The girls dream of bright futures as Pakistan transitions from a grim dictatorship into a new light under the guidance of the newly elected Benazir Bhutto。 However， a single choice changes the dynamics of their relationship and like a stone thrown into water the ripples alter their lives。 The novel then moves three decades into the future and both friends are living in London， both successful and having remained close。 But a figure from the past changes everything and secrets they long thought buried or forgotten come to the surface to change the dynamics of their relationship。 It is a thought-provoking novel that examines the choices we make and the impact it has from the past to the present。 I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I hoped and the ending was a little flat as I felt we were building towards a final revelation and event that never came。 Overall， an intriguing and interesting book for fans of contemporary fiction with meaning and themes。 4 stars ✨。Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback。。。。more

Angie ， 2022-09-09 00:00

Best of Friends follows the ups and downs of the friendship between Zahra and Maryam， from their childhood days in Karachi， to the complications of adolescence， to their current lives as successful women in London。 Shamsie does a wonderful job of contrasting the two friends， their different outlooks and priorities， and where they sometimes come into conflict。 This especially comes into play with a pivotal event in high school where the girls find themselves in a dangerous situation。 Both the act Best of Friends follows the ups and downs of the friendship between Zahra and Maryam， from their childhood days in Karachi， to the complications of adolescence， to their current lives as successful women in London。 Shamsie does a wonderful job of contrasting the two friends， their different outlooks and priorities， and where they sometimes come into conflict。 This especially comes into play with a pivotal event in high school where the girls find themselves in a dangerous situation。 Both the actions and attitudes that lead up to this event and the consequences and changes in each of them after stress the differences between each of them。 The novel is at its best when it portrays the teenage versions of both friends and how they awaken to themselves and the realities of the society around them。 It is less successful when it follows the friends into adulthood。。。。more

Mel ， 2022-09-09 00:00

Best of Friends to me felt like a book that didn't really go anywhere， there were implications that something shocking was going to happen so I was left waiting for more。 Nothing really happened and that to me summed up the whole book。 I enjoyed the first half the book to get a perspective on Pakistan in the 80's。 The second half of the book I couldn't really get into and found myself skimming through it to get to the dramatic fall out。 Even that didn't live up to the hype。 Best of Friends to me felt like a book that didn't really go anywhere， there were implications that something shocking was going to happen so I was left waiting for more。 Nothing really happened and that to me summed up the whole book。 I enjoyed the first half the book to get a perspective on Pakistan in the 80's。 The second half of the book I couldn't really get into and found myself skimming through it to get to the dramatic fall out。 Even that didn't live up to the hype。。。。more

Ramsha Rukhsar ， 2022-09-09 00:00

The beginning of this story is interesting as it begins in Karachi 1988， we learn about the close friendship between two girls - Maryam and Zahra - despite their differences。 As the book carries on we see how their friendship progresses as the world evolves around them， and how the two develop in themselves to become strong female characters。 There was definitely a young adult vibe to this section of the plot and I felt more interested in looking in to the country's history due to the elections The beginning of this story is interesting as it begins in Karachi 1988， we learn about the close friendship between two girls - Maryam and Zahra - despite their differences。 As the book carries on we see how their friendship progresses as the world evolves around them， and how the two develop in themselves to become strong female characters。 There was definitely a young adult vibe to this section of the plot and I felt more interested in looking in to the country's history due to the elections coming up to Bhutto。 I generally enjoy Shamsie's style of writing and the way she shows reflection and builds tension within the book。 The pace was good but despite a good start， I did expect this book to be a lot better than it was but it did begin to go downhill。 It becomes less interesting when the characters are in London in comparison to Pakistan and the ending was disappointing。。。。more

Louise Hjelmbjerg ， 2022-09-07 00:00

Good read about the endurance of a friendship Overall an enjoyable read。 I had not read any of the previous works by this author so was unsure what to expect。 The book is divided into two sections; the first part the girls are fourteen year olds and the second part is about thirty years later when the girls are now women in successful careers。 I found quite a difference in pace between the two parts， with the earlier part faster paced， and a better read。 The girls have a very strong friendship e Good read about the endurance of a friendship Overall an enjoyable read。 I had not read any of the previous works by this author so was unsure what to expect。 The book is divided into two sections; the first part the girls are fourteen year olds and the second part is about thirty years later when the girls are now women in successful careers。 I found quite a difference in pace between the two parts， with the earlier part faster paced， and a better read。 The girls have a very strong friendship even though they come from different backgrounds and they share their hopes for their futures。 An incident in their teens is a thread that runs through the story and the friendship。 It causes a change of direction and hopes and aspirations for one of the girls， but the friendship endures。 In the latter story the incidence re surfaces and threatens to cause a rift in the friendship， as the women re evaluate the effects then and now。。。。more

Ria ， 2022-09-06 00:00

The setting is Karachi， 1988 and Maryam and Zahra are best friends。Their world is changing and when a dictatorship falls a woman is set to take the place， leading to a more feminist viewpoint and way of ruling。But one night， one party changes everything as the two girls go driving with boys， taboo in their culture。Then it switches to modern day London and the two are still friends， but there are echoes from that night in 1988 and though both successful women in their own right， there are hidden The setting is Karachi， 1988 and Maryam and Zahra are best friends。Their world is changing and when a dictatorship falls a woman is set to take the place， leading to a more feminist viewpoint and way of ruling。But one night， one party changes everything as the two girls go driving with boys， taboo in their culture。Then it switches to modern day London and the two are still friends， but there are echoes from that night in 1988 and though both successful women in their own right， there are hidden resentments and how their lives followed followed different paths due to the consequences of their actions。The premise and blurb sounded intriguing and the culture divide between Karachi and London made a good backdrop for the story。But overall I just found this all quite dull and not really sure at times where is was going。Frankly I think the blurb oversold this and the story was quite tame and not as powerful as I had imagined， very slow， plodding pace didn't help to move the action along either。It wasn't terribly bad but not the best or most gripping story either so having to give a middle of the road kind of score。Just not for me， the writing style didn't gel with me so a bit of a miss。。。。more

Neil Challis ， 2022-09-01 00:00

two girls growing up in Pakistan，they are from privileged backgrounds。They are the best of friends and all is going well until they go to a party and make a bad decision which changed how the rest of the family looks at them。 Go forward 30 years and they are in London，still friends and have made an outstanding career each。Maryam is the chair of an equity company that concentrates on new start ups ，one Imji is flying using face recognizing technology for security firms。This brings her in conflict two girls growing up in Pakistan，they are from privileged backgrounds。They are the best of friends and all is going well until they go to a party and make a bad decision which changed how the rest of the family looks at them。 Go forward 30 years and they are in London，still friends and have made an outstanding career each。Maryam is the chair of an equity company that concentrates on new start ups ，one Imji is flying using face recognizing technology for security firms。This brings her in conflict with her friend Zahra who is chair of CCL a very high profile civil liberties organisation with the ear of government ministers all the way to the top。This is going so well between them and both are very successful but then the indiscretion of the past catches up with on of them which has far reaching implications。Very well written and researched novel to be enjoyed。This may not be the definitive story as I have read a proof supplied by the publishers，Bloomsbury，Thank You 。。。more

Lucy Hampton ， 2022-09-01 00:00

I was surprised by the layers to this book。 I had assumed it would focus on the friendship of the two girls， and whilst this is the plot driver， there are so many beautiful observations of the life we are all living that it felt very relatable。 A great novel by a wonderful writer。 Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of Best of Friends。

Carol ， 2022-08-31 00:00

‘The Best of Friends’ depends on contrast for its dramas and conflicts。 An engaging opening section， set in Karachi where schoolgirls Zahra and Maryam are very close friends， despite contrasting characters and home lives。Zahra’s parents are more reserved than Maryam’s， who are glamorous and wealthy socialites。 And yet the girls are inseparable; Zahra steady and sensible; Maryam daring and a thrill-seeker。 Soon plunged into a nightmare scenario， the girls’ futures begin to look uncertain even bef ‘The Best of Friends’ depends on contrast for its dramas and conflicts。 An engaging opening section， set in Karachi where schoolgirls Zahra and Maryam are very close friends， despite contrasting characters and home lives。Zahra’s parents are more reserved than Maryam’s， who are glamorous and wealthy socialites。 And yet the girls are inseparable; Zahra steady and sensible; Maryam daring and a thrill-seeker。 Soon plunged into a nightmare scenario， the girls’ futures begin to look uncertain even before adolescence is complete。Fast forward to London and they now are both unbelievably wealthy and。 successful professional women， living entirely independently from each other; moving in government and global hi-tech contexts。 Until their past suddenly turns up to torment them and challenge their personal security and their relationship。A lame ending completes a disappointing read from a writer who is capable of exploring prescient multi-cultural themes with revealing insights and commitment。Thanks to #NetGalley and #BloomsburyPublishing plc， for an advance copy。。。。more

Traci Thomas ， 2022-08-30 00:00

There’s something very readable about Shamsies books。 She captures dialogue and tension really well。 This one lagged in the third quarter but was solid overall。 I’m not sure it was as interesting as I would’ve liked。 The central questions just weren’t worthy to me。And yes， I read HOME FIRE and loved it。 This book is much lower stakes and more reserved。

Cassie Holland ， 2022-08-30 00:00

A book of two halves。 The first set in Karachi as the two protagonists are negotiating the complicated mores and behaviours expected of two teenage girls。 A single event threatens to ruin their reputation and futures but the day is saved when one of them takes responsibility for their actions。 The story then jumps to London 30years later and Zahra and Maryam are still friends but have very different careers。 A blast from the past unsettles the two friends and both react differently and ultimatel A book of two halves。 The first set in Karachi as the two protagonists are negotiating the complicated mores and behaviours expected of two teenage girls。 A single event threatens to ruin their reputation and futures but the day is saved when one of them takes responsibility for their actions。 The story then jumps to London 30years later and Zahra and Maryam are still friends but have very different careers。 A blast from the past unsettles the two friends and both react differently and ultimately both pay the price and their friendship is finally undone – or is it。 I agree with reviewer Jen Burrows the second half is a little flat。 I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review。。。。more

Hayley ， 2022-08-30 00:00

beautifully written coming of age story centered around two women's friendship as they navigate their journey from childhood to middle age。The story begins with two young girls growing up in Karachi and follows them to present day London where their friendship appears as strong as ever。The story centers around an incident that took place as adolescents that changed the course of their lives， even twenty five years later the repercussions of the actions and choices they made that night come back beautifully written coming of age story centered around two women's friendship as they navigate their journey from childhood to middle age。The story begins with two young girls growing up in Karachi and follows them to present day London where their friendship appears as strong as ever。The story centers around an incident that took place as adolescents that changed the course of their lives， even twenty five years later the repercussions of the actions and choices they made that night come back to haunt them。 The reopening of this old wound will test their friendship to its very limit。。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Best of Friends

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Best of Friends&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Best of Friends&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0

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