WORLD LITERARY ATLASBOOKS WITHOUT BORDERS · 2026
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Asia · A READING GUIDE

Pakistan

Mohsin Hamid stages an encounter between narrator and listener in Lahore. His English-language novel examines identity and mutual suspicion after September 11. Intizar Husain and Bapsi Sidhwa open perspectives on Partition and memories of lost places. Kamila Shamsie, Nadeem Aslam and Daniyal Mueenuddin lead onward through migration, religion, class and family life.

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Books to begin with

An editorial selection · not ranked

Edition cover: The Reluctant Fundamentalist — Mohsin Hamid
English edition

Mohsin Hamid

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

About the book

In a Lahore café, Changez tells an American about his career and disillusionment in New York.

EnglishOriginal

The Reluctant Fundamentalist

Penguin

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Home Fire — Kamila Shamsie
English edition

Kamila Shamsie

Home Fire

About the book

British Pakistani siblings rework the conflict of Antigone through citizenship, terrorism and family loyalty.

EnglishOriginal

Home Fire

Riverhead Books

Edition source ↗

Bapsi Sidhwa

Cracking India

About the book

A child in a Parsi family in Lahore watches Partition tear apart a familiar community.

EnglishOriginal

Cracking India

Milkweed Editions

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: In Other Rooms, Other Wonders — Daniyal Mueenuddin
English edition

Daniyal Mueenuddin

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

About the book

Linked stories follow employees and landowners on a Pakistani estate and the inequalities shaping their relationships.

EnglishOriginal

In Other Rooms, Other Wonders

W. W. Norton

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Maps for Lost Lovers — Nadeem Aslam
English edition

Nadeem Aslam

Maps for Lost Lovers

About the book

A couple’s disappearance exposes prohibitions, desires and violence in a Pakistani immigrant community in England.

EnglishOriginal

Maps for Lost Lovers

Vintage

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Basti — Intizar Husain
English edition

Intizar Husain

Basti

About the book

Zakir recalls life before Partition as Pakistan enters another wartime crisis.

EnglishTranslation

Basti

New York Review Books

Edition source ↗

Mohsin Hamid

Exit West

About the book

A couple escapes a war-torn city through uncanny doors leading to other countries.

EnglishOriginal

Exit West

Riverhead Books

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Moth Smoke — Mohsin Hamid
English edition

Mohsin Hamid

Moth Smoke

About the book

A story of lost status, desire and class tensions in contemporary Lahore.

EnglishOriginal

Moth Smoke

Riverhead Books

Edition source ↗
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