‘In the Shadows of Love’ is the fourth novel by Pakistani author Awais Khan. After a promising debut titled In the Company of Strangers, Khan has written a sequel in which he beautifully captures the glittering but harsh reality of Lahore’s elite class. With this novel, Khan could be said to be at par with Mohsin Hamid, a Pakistani/British author whose Mothsmoke shares a similar theme with this novel.
In ‘In the Shadows of Love,’ Awais Khan produces an emotional, poignant story that grips readers’ attention. His novel is addictive, and it is difficult to put it down until every last page is devoured. His previous book, No Honour, is perhaps his best work as he delves into patriarchal violence and resilience. However, it is only fair to say that all his novels deal with societal ills and evils in a blatant and brutally honest manner.
‘In the Shadows of Love’ has Mona, Bilal, and Ali as its protagonists. Mona is a woman with agency who struggles to balance her personal and professional life. She tries to reconcile her traditional role with her ambitions and individual needs. Having been involved in an extramarital affair in the past, she now has to bear the brunt of her actions forever.
The novel deals with the themes of atonement, love, betrayal, and living up to society’s expectations through the lives of Mona and Bilal, who are married to each other but both have a dark past. As they try to leave their past behind and move forward, they face several obstacles and challenges they could never imagine. Bilal is a typical patriarch, but as the novel progresses, he reforms for the better—a middle-aged romance, a newfound love and passion mushroom between Mona and Bilal that excites the reader.
The novel’s climax is unrivalled when Khan catches the reader completely off guard. The threatening messages Mona receives regarding her past are captivating and hold the reader’s attention. The message ‘I know your secret’ heightens the tension, bringing it to a crescendo. As Mona is blackmailed about her secret, she goes through anxiety and fear, emotions we all can relate to. It is only human to err and natural to cover our flaws. ‘In the Shadows of Love’ is a romance-based crime thriller. It follows a love triangle.
The novel’s setting is Lahore, which is a character in itself. The author captures the beauty of Lahore in a detailed and comprehensive manner. The city is not just a backdrop but also entwines the denizens’ inner struggles and conflicts. Awais Khan’s writing is simple, yet his ability to weave fiction with reality is remarkable. Khan creates believable characters who are strong and not easy to break. As the author dives into how dangerous the shadows of love can be, he promises to be only fair. The novel is a heart-wrenching story of love and deception.
Let me conclude on a note of appreciation for the novel by Helen Fields, who says, “In the Shadows of Love is a book that will transport you into a world hidden behind a veil of tradition and social norms. Remarkably beautiful but haunting and thrilling in equal measure, Khan’s writings are assured, accomplished, and compulsive. I loved it.”
It’s a great book that must be on readers’ bucket list!.
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