It is the debut novel of Farah Bashir who was a photojournalist by profession. Kashmir of the 1990s is the highlight of this non-fiction narrative. Militancy was at its peak and innumerable curfews dented the lives of Kashmiris. The memoir is a peekaboo in a world that had no control. Sounds of gunfire, troops marching and crackdowns are the recurring backdrops of the novel. The trauma the constant curfew generated is woven with simplicity. The book is divided into six parts Evening, Night, Early Hours, Dawn, Morning, and Afterlife that follow the death and funeral of Farah’s grandmother Bobeh. Each part consists of chapters that throw light on different phases of the author’s life. A girlhood spent in testing and terrifying times of Kashmir has a few beautiful anecdotes of her childhood too. A scarred adolescence and uncertain future paint a heart-wrenching account.

The fear and anxiety amidst insurgency threw everyday life of residents of Kashmir in a tizzy. Kashmir during the violence-driven 90s impacted the people in a big way. Innocent and happy times are tainted with tragic memories. Life is thrown out of gear but people manage to find moments that are full of warmth, companionship, love, care, and concern. Abductions, killings, bombardments, blasts, random searches, and curfews are common incidents of 90’s Kashmir. The book is an experience in itself.