The Beautiful Lie
Published on 4. January 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-4088-0575-6 (ISBN)
Description
An extraordinarily rich debut novel, set in India in 1947 at the time of Partition, touching on the importance of tolerance, love and family.
The main character is Bilal, a boy determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With great spirit and determination, and with the help of his good friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception, even printing false pages of the local newspaper to hide the ravages of unrest from his father. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace. But that means Bilal has a very complicated relationship with the truth...
The main character is Bilal, a boy determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With great spirit and determination, and with the help of his good friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception, even printing false pages of the local newspaper to hide the ravages of unrest from his father. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace. But that means Bilal has a very complicated relationship with the truth...
Reviews / Votes
'Another memorable debut novel . . . Beautifully told this debut is set in 1940's India at the time of the Partition, with themes of tolerance that still resonate today' * The Bookseller * 'A challenging but extremely rewarding book dealing with big themes of truth, prejudice, and friendship, but also the simple love of a boy for his father. The Indian setting conjures up a society on the brink of change, rich in period detail and geographical beauty, and the characters are attractive and vividly drawn. A fascinating introduction to a vital moment in history. Though beware - the ending will make you cry' * Daily Mail * 'This is a refreshing first novel, simply and expertly told. A great debut' * Ink Pellet * 'Irfan Master has created a richly detailed portrait of India in 1947 and peopled it with a collection of well realised characters, each of them almost strong enough to merit a novel in their own right' * Guardian *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 12 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
213 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4088-0575-6 (9781408805756)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Irfan Master
A Beautiful Lie
E-Book
01/2011
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Childrens Books
€8.49
Available for download
Person
This is Irfan Master's first novel. It was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award 2012. Irfan is project manager of Reading the Game at the National Literacy Trust. His family is from Gujarat, where the novel is set. Irfan lives in London, SE5.