This is a well written narrative with a difference and is recommended for adult reading. ‘Mirror Cracked’ is highly emotive, controversial story that will open conversations, once read. I admire that the author had the courage to tackle a topic that is largely swept under the carpet by many communities. I agree that it needs to be talked about, no matter how hurtful, hateful or ugly it may seem.
The narrative covers many themes; infidelity, betrayal, anger, anxiety, deep love for spouse and children, death of loved ones and the resilience of women.
The pace is slow, with the inciting incident popping up on page 62, giving a slight hint of the betrayal that was to follow. Two men hugged, and intimate feelings were aroused. For one man, it was a shock awakening that rocked his otherwise happy world. This was the first crack in his marriage. These feelings hit him with full force, leaving him confused and troubled.
The author expertly covers aspects such as the development of the back stories, characterisation of the secondary characters, mundane everyday activities of the family etc.
Initially the narrative focuses on introducing the principal characters, Fareed, Azraa and Zack as well as secondary characters like Munira, Rob, Halima and others as they are slowly woven into the fabric of the narrative while tracking their everyday life styles.
While on holiday in Paris, Azraa hears her husband on the phone in a sexually charged conversation with a man. This was a shocking, heart rendering betrayal from a man she loved dearly! The author excavates the deepest feelings that a man can have for another man as witnessed during the phone conversation between the two antagonists. Yet another telephone conversation between them reveals graphic, physical details of the hunger, passion and need that exists in a bisexual person for another man. One wonders why this is so, especially when in this case, he is happily married to a beautiful woman who had everything a man could ever want in a woman. What could possibly have been lacking in their marriage?
Azraa suffers this deceit in every possible way, physically and mentally. The loss of her daughter further adds to the trauma, as she becomes a broken soul, with crushed dreams.
In the end a decision had to be made and she had the courage to make it, and thereafter take one day at a time.
This narrative will make you ponder over unanswered questions, and opens conversations;
- Is there a specific time in a person’s life when he realises he has these feelings? Why did Fareed not recognise these sooner?
- Is this a God-given trait?
- Was his marriage to a woman not fulfilling enough? What was lacking?
- Is it possible that one could overcome these feelings?
- What are the signs to look out for? How do you recognise that the man you are marrying may have these hidden traits?
- One is bound to ask: Am I married to a straight man? Should I be concerned that I may also find out later that he is not straight?
- Is it his fault that he has these tendencies or is it something God has imposed on him?
- Should she have forgiven him and saved her marriage?
- What was there to forgive him for? After all, he wasn’t even aware that he possessed these feeling. Was she being unfair or lacked understanding of this complex situation?
- Is it even remotely possible that he would have changed if she had forgiven him? How would he have buried these feelings?
- Would she not have lived in constant anxiety of what he was doing and thinking, where he was, and who he was with etc?
- Through no fault of her own Azraa bears the brunt of the suffering and makes the ultimate sacrifice to be able to move on.
The courage of this author in writing this path-breaking book on a controversial subject is to be applauded. She is fearless and passionate about bringing it out into the open to create awareness.
Thanks for the opportunity, Raashida. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Sylvia Garib, author