Basti | Intizar Husain | Translated by Frances W. Pritchett Hong Kong from ‘Israel’s bravest historian’ (John

from ‘Israel’s bravest historian’ (John Pilger)

beautifully pressed glass lantern

meet at a taverna on the island they both call home

a turtle—hiding isn't working at all

These women have a lot of favours upon us

Basti | Intizar Husain | Translated by Frances W. Pritchett Hong Kong from ‘Israel’s bravest historian’ (JohnAn NYRB Classics Original Basti is a beautifully written reckoning with the tragic history of Pakistan. Basti means settlement, a common place, and Intizar Husains extraordinary novel begins with a mythic, even mystic, vision of harmony between old and young, man and woman, Muslim and Hindu. Then Zakir, the hero, wakes to the modern world. Crowds gather. Slogans echo. Cities burn. Whether hunkered down with family or furtively meeting to exchange news