This book is astonishing, the india-kashmir story told through a myriad of characters and imagery that the horrors of the conflict and their deeper, lasting emotions interweave in a magical way, especially the first part. I found it quite hard to realise the change in the language of the storytelling was the same person, as if no-one in this tale could be quite trusted, which is part of the reality of the actual situation. Not an easy book, but very rewarding, making me very sad at man's injustice to man at every level, and the apocalypse awaiting. BUT inspiring and wondrous at the artistic, creative and imaginative levels. I feel exhausted after the journey !