Duty-Free by Moni Mohsin Review

 

Laughing stock with biting elements

Jane Austen's Emma has visited 21st century Pakistan and has become a part of the outrageous social class of Lahore.

Our heroine's cousin, Jonker, is divorced. His low-class wife dumped him and our heroine is given the duty to find a perfect, beautiful, high-class wife for her cousin. Our plucky heroine takes the duty of matchmaker and sets out to find a girl of the right bagground for her cousin. But, between you, me and the four walls, who wants to marry boring and old-fashioned Jonkers? 

Duty-Free is a delightful read that makes you laugh out loud, but at the same time, makes you worry about the social and political issues of Pakistan. It will take you into the life of a clueless Lahore high-class socialist and will make you wince at her shallow life. It is a social satire which bites you hard. 

Every chapter of the novel starts with a bloody headline which depicts the political issues of Pakistan. It tells us about political and social issues Pakistan is facing. And in the chapter, Moni Mohsin depicts how socialists think and deal with these issues. It tells us the contrast between the lower middle class and elite class life and thought patterns. This element makes the novel insightful social commentary. 

It also depicts how Pakistani aunties deal with marriage issues. Moni Mohsin has portrayed a real picture of the whole thought process and system of finding suitable girls of the right bagground (background) and how the gossip about the girls are made. This element has been discussed in a fun and satirical way. 

The sentences are short, and the language is easy to understand. It lets the reader enjoy the satire and feel every emotion the writer has portrayed in it. 

It also tells us how unmatched relationships suffer. What we see for marriage and what couples should have for a successful married life, this element has also been discussed in detail.

Its author, Moni Mohsin, is a Pakistani writer who lives in London. She is a bestseller writer in India and is known for her witty and satirical writing. The Diary of a Social Butterfly and The End of Innocence are her two other debut novels.

This novel used to lift my mood while at the same time, making me think about a lot of injustices and issues which are common in every society. I felt a void after completing the novel as I hadn't read such a satirical and exciting novel before. I started missing "bagground" and "between you, me and four walls ' expressions immediately after closing Duty-Free.

In my opinion, Moni Mohsin has done justice with the storyline and themes of this novel. 

If you are also a lover of satire, funny novels and socio-political novels, you must give this novel a chance. 

Do read it and share your reviews with me in the comment section!