When Amal's parents have a heated discussion about Amal's future, for example, it's impossible to tell which of them is speaking unless the dialogue makes that clear later in the book, the Khans' chauffeur and housekeeper sound indistinguishable from each other and from the local teacher who helps to broaden Amal's world. The problem is that many of the characters whether they are adults or children, male or female sound this way, too. Ayyar's performance is most captivating when she is narrating Amal's inner monologue her treble voice is quite believable as that of a child maturing into a woman. While in their household, she discovers evidence that the Khans have engaged in illegal activities and forges alliances with other servants in the household to expose them. When 12-year-old Amal publicly defies the scion of the powerful Khan family, the Khans call in her father's debt and force Amal to work as their servant.
When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect their interests, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others if they are ever to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams.Īyyar gives an uneven performance of Saeed's middle grade novel about the underworld of indentured servitude in contemporary Pakistan. Most troubling, though, is Amal's growing awareness of the Khans' nefarious dealings.
#Amal unbound full#
Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal-especially when she inadvertently makes an enemy of a girl named Nabila. Then the unimaginable happens-after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt. Amal is upset, but she doesn't lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when-as the eldest daughter-she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Amal Unbound tells the story of Amal, a young girl living in a small village in Pakistan, who unknowingly insults the corrupt landlord of her village and as a result, is forced to become a servant in order to pay off her family’s debt. The compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude. When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect their interests, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others if they are ever to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams."Saeed's timely and stirring middle-grade debut is a celebration of resistance and justice."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal - especially when she inadvertently makes an enemy of a girl named Nabila. Then the unimaginable happens - after an accidental run-in with the son of her village's corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family's servant to pay off her own family's debt. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when - as the eldest daughter - she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal's Pakistani village, but she has no complaints, and besides, she's busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Aisha Saeed's middle-grade debut tells the compelling story of a girl's fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude.
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