Random Things Through My Letterbox

The Obscure Logic of the Heart by Priya Basil is my third choice from the Transworld Book Challenge project.     The publishers have been marketing this story as 'Romeo and Juliet for the 21st century', so it wouldn't be unfair to expect a love story with some tragedy.

I wasn't disappointed, but although the story of Anil and Lina's relationship is the main theme to the novel, there is so much more than this.  It is a complex novel, comprising of many different themes, from the illicit love affair between a Muslim and a Sikh, to the illegal arms trade in Kenya.

Anil and Lina are two young people who meet at university and gradually fall in love.  Their religions are not the only thing that is different about them; Anil comes from a wealthy background and has never really had to work for anything.  Lina, on the other hand comes from a working class family in Birmingham, her parents are devout Muslims and they are a tight, loving family.

I'm part of the Transworld Reading Challenge

Basil is an expert at crafting realistic characters, not just the two main leads but the accompanying characters are just as well rounded, it is clear that a lot of thought has gone into who Anil and Lina would allow into their world, who they would trust and why.

I really enjoyed this novel, I enjoyed the love story and the mysterious back story that ran alongside it - Basil uses some old 1960s correspondence, spaced between chapters every now and then - this adds a touch of intrigue to the story.

A novel that is very relevant to the world today, well written, with a great plot and interesting characters.