Author Description

Animal Medicine is a collection of ten unusual short stories, each with its own unique interpretation on life in Pakistan. Based on the strong subcontinental tradition of folklore and storytelling, the meeting of human and animal is the backdrop for an incredible variety of observations, reflections, and revelations about this rich yet enigmatic country. From the beautiful but harsh terrain of the North, to the fertile lands of the South, from the densely packed streets of Karachi, to the new horizons of America, these tales chronicle, with sensitivity and wit, compassion and humour, a land and its people that are like no other on this earth. 'Deftly written and well structured, this collection of stories will touch the hearts of children as well as adults. With swift sure strokes, using the rich Pakistani landscape as her palette, Bina Shah fuses the world of humans and animals in a stunning alliance. Shah's way with words, her fine sensibility and eye for detail, make one hope for more fiction by this promising new Pakistani author.' - Bapsi Sidhwa, Novelist