CITY OF SPIES by by Sorayya Khan [Paperback]

City of Spies is a historical coming-of-age novel that would most appeal to adult readers and mature young adults aged 16 and up. This novel dives into political and social tensions in Pakistan during the late 1970s, specifically around the time of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s ousting and General Zia’s authoritarian rule.

Through the eyes of Aliya Shah, an 11-year-old girl at the story’s beginning, readers experience the impact of political upheaval on personal lives and family dynamics. While much of the novel is accessible, it does explore mature themes like political corruption, societal tension, and the effects of tragic loss on a child’s psyche. Readers interested in historical fiction with nuanced political insights and emotional depth will find City of Spies engaging and thought-provoking.