The Book of Everlasting Things, by Aanchal Malhotra (2022)
Samir Vij was a 10-year-old Hindu boy living in Lahore, Hindustan in 1938 when he first met Firdaus Khan, a young Muslim girl. Samir was born into a family that made perfumes and Firdaus’ family were calligraphers. They were born in a time when their country was under British rule, but families of the various religions lived side-by-side. Their fathers become friends, and Samir learns calligraphy from Firdaus’ father. Samir and Firdaus become fast friends and soon fall in love.
On Samir’s 10th birthday, he was given a bottle of ittar by Uncle Vivek, who operates the family’s perfume atelier. Samir has been blessed with a keen sense of smell that will be an asset when he enters into his family’s business. He is moved to tears as he inhales the essence of the tuberose ittar given to him by his uncle.
Firdaus’ father, Altaf Khan, is a master calligrapher and teaches the art to young students, including his daughter, whom he wants to be educated. When Samir joins Altaf’s classes, he also gets to spend time with Firdaus.
Ten years later Samir and Firdaus hope to plan a life together. In 1947, however, the plan to Partition the Indian subcontinent is put into force. Suddenly, what the citizens have considered to be Hindustan, is now Pakistan and India. Lahore is now Muslim Pakistan. Immediately tensions arise between the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Overnight, Samir’s neighborhood was burned to the ground. Samir’s family is all killed in the fire. Only Samir survived, and with him a few family artifacts, including numerous journals from Vivek’s experiences during World War I. Samir went to Altaf, hoping to live with the Khan family, but Altaf rejected him.
On his own, Samir has no desire to relocate to India, instead finding his way to Paris, France. He chose Paris because that was where his Uncle Vivek learned the art of perfume and where he fought during the First World War. He never stops thinking of Firdaus but eventually he met and fell in love with Léa. They marry and have daughter. Meanwhile, back in Lahore, Firdaus entered into an arranged marriage. Each goes on to a separate life, but they never truly stop loving each other.
[Spoiler alert: Before the Partition, Samir created a special perfume for Firdaus from the tuberose. He never knew until decades later that Firdaus was unable to smell certain scents, thus could never truly appreciate the perfume that he made for her.]
The author beautifully describes the city of Lahore. One can feel the city through the writing. The author carefully details the methodology of creating the perfumes. One can almost smell the scents as they are created. Additionally, while learning of the perfume trade, I also learned about the Partition that separated India into Hindu and Muslin countries.
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. It will not appeal to everyone, as many Urdu phrases and words are scattered throughout the book, and the names are not common to the English speaker. Still, I highly recommend this book for its beauty.
5 Stars
Read: February 26, 2023
