Karachi, you’re killing me! is a debut story by a young journalist, and surprisingly a chick – lit. With wide acclaims and high expectations from her writing, let’s find out if the author is upto the mark!

Mohammed Hanif says: “Racey, pacey and laugh-out-loud funny. A Murree beer-soaked love letter to Karachi and journalism.”

PLOT
Karachi, you’re killing me! is the debut novel of Saba Imtiaz. Popularly called as, Bridget Jone’s diary, the story centers around Ayesha, who is in her late twenties is a journalist based in Pakistan. A bad job, a merciless boss, no love life, inadequate salary, and a dad who loves a cat more, and what not! She has to report at bomb sites and find her way through scattered bodies. Above all that, she is still finding way to survive power outrages so that she can use her hair straightener. Surely, many reasons to cry! In her miserable life, her only sources of comfort are her friends Zara and Saad.

The book starts in a daily diary style, and all the events are written chronologically from 31 December 2011 to May 11, 2014. In between these 5 months and 260 pages, Ayesha’s life changes completely and being her companion through this journey won’t be a bad idea.

CHARACTERS
Even though there was an overdose of Murree Beers in the book, the characters were saved from drowning in it. Imtiaz did a good job in describing all the characters. She makes them come to life, and even the CAT is likeable!

THE GOOD
The author’s writing style is sharp and witty. The story is fast paced and a page turner. With a bit of humour here and there, the book never bores you. Though the story is bit regular and predictable, still the way it is presented made all the difference! The characters are close to reality and may people will be able to identify themselves in them.
The book also gives you a glimpse about how it is to like in Karachi, Pakistan (which we all want to know, and which I found nothing different from ours!).

THE BAD
As the protagonist is constantly whining and cribbing about things, it did irritate the reader who might be looking for some peace of mind. The author went overboard with the problems in Ayesha’s life with not even a single ray of positivity.

FINAL VERDICT
A good book, I will surely recommend it for one time read. Imtiaz has set the hopes high for her upcoming works. Until the next book, it can be enjoyed with a can of Murree beer.

“I smile and walk out of the hotel, feeling exhilarated. I look back at the doors, through which I had walked in defeated just a few hours ago. I look up at the sky and smile. Perhaps my luck has finally changed?”

Read our interview of the author here.