Special Double Review
by
Victoria Silverwolf & Mike Bickerdike
Strange Horizons, January 18, 2021
“Secrets of the Kath” by Fatima Taqvi
Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf
The narrator of “Secrets of the Kath” by Fatima Taqvi is the wife of a rich and powerful Pakistani man, and the mother of an adult son, to whom she addresses the story. The son lives in the United States, and shares little of the traditional Pakistani culture. He returns to his native land to witness a puppet show.
The wooden figures act out an allegorical tale, which accuses the husband and other men in the community of suppressing women’s rights. After the show is over, the narrator uses the puppets to act against her own oppression.
The fantastic content of this story is subtle. There is a suggestion that the trees from which the puppets are made have some control over the stories acted out by the figures. The ending hints at an act of supernatural justice.
Readers unfamiliar with Pakistani traditions may find parts of this story difficult to follow. Despite this possible cultural barrier, the theme of respect for the rights of all comes across clearly. The author also deals with issues of wealth inequity and the loss of one’s cultural identity. Some of the characters are one-dimensional, existing as symbols of right and wrong rather than as real people.
Victoria Silverwolf ironed some clothes today.
***
Strange Horizons, January 18, 2021
“Secrets of the Kath” by Fatima Taqvi
Reviewed by Mike Bickerdike
“Secrets of the Kath” by Fatima Taqvi tells the tale of a mother who goes with her wealthy family to see a travelling puppet show somewhere in south Asia. The puppets (or putliwallah) are made from kath (village-sourced wood) and provide an entrancing entertainment for the audience. Toward the end of the show, the life and fate of the mother’s daughter appear to be reflected in the actions and fate of the putliwallah. The story explores the tension between the new, western world of fancy handbags and ostentatious wealth, with the depth and richness of south Asian traditions. With regard to imagery, the story is quite successful. It is less successful in the way Taqvi introduces terms, characters, and plot points without explanation, however – the reader has to work hard to fully understand the tale. It is also highly stylized prose, with many partial-sentence constructions, which may not appeal to everyone.