A Decision of the Heart (from Heart Lamp) by Banu Mushtaq (2025): A Review
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Author: Banu Mushtaq
Publication Year: 2025
Pages: 22
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Domestic Fiction, Biographical Fiction
Source: Ebook @everand_us
This story was another sad one, but I appreciate that Banu Mushtaq shifted the topic away from the abuse and oppression of women. This time, my frustration was focused more on the wife than the husband. The author introduces a female character who challenges the typical stereotype of women as mere victims, illustrating that women can be just as flawed or even abusive as men. The husband is portrayed as calm and supportive, treating both his wife and mother equally and rarely displaying violence (the bar is set so low that even infrequent acts of violence are seen as a positive trait in a man in these short stories). Despite this, the wife's selfish behaviour creates constant turmoil. I found it difficult to relate to her actions. I condemned her every word. Ironically, even though she is the abuser in her relationship with her husband, her children, and her mother-in-law, societal and cultural pressures continue to play a significant role in their lives.
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