At first I was hesitated to choose this book as I was kind of over the "Kite Runner" et al, but I am glad I decided to pick The Wish Maker.I loved this book, whipped right through it, as it was so enjoyable to read.The plot begins in the present and switches back into the past. We have Zaki, a little boy as our narrator, he has been fatherless since age -2 months. The story mostly takes place in a traditional Pakistani middle to upper class home. I love the voyeurism of seeing how other cultures really are in their homes(they're basically just like us). In Zaki's home there are two forces, the Matriach, Daadi, a very traditional and stern woman and Zaki's mother, Zakia, a feminist and modern woman. There is also the pseudo-sister, Samir Api, who comes to live with Zaki's family as the daughter of his Grandmother's sister. It's a bit mysterious at first as to why Samir comes to live there but eventually the stories unravel. Samir Api is a charming girl who dreams of a Bollywood Actor sweeping her away someday. Zaki's adoration of Samir is evident yet subtle.We end up asking ourselves,which is a better way to nurture children, old school or modern? the answer is probably in the perfect mix of a multi-generational household.I love a fictional book that I can learn something from and I did learn a lot of fringe information about the era of Benazir Bhutto and her father's execution, of how pinning hopes on political leaders can often be disappointing. I also learned about the almost "Civil War" like parallels of the Pakistanis and the Indians. Pakistani children of the Grandmother's generation grew up next to Indian children, Parsi children, then one day, they are all gone, and those friendship ties are severed forever. Life goes on.About halfway through the book I thought it was about women, but it really is much more than that, Zaki is raised in a household of women, but he lives a rich life at school with boys where he watches and learns. He is fatherless but he has strong "back up" with all the women at home who look out for him in their individual ways.I highly recommend this book, the writer is quite talented (I think this is his first book?) He doesn't hit us over the head with the internationalism, you quickly slip into the plot and relate as human to human, not culture to culture. One thing is for sure after reading the book you will know what that costume the Pakistanis wear is called, a Shalwar Kameez. It is also worn in India but here is the definition: Traditional suit consisting of three pieces: a loose fitting, drawstring pajama like pant, a long, tunic style shirt and a long, complimenting or matching scarf. It is generally accepted that the kameez should come below the knee to the mid-calf region. The kameez is usually fitted throughout the shoulder and bust area and loose from the hips down to the hem. Side walking vents (splits) are added to both sides.