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A Pebble in the Throat
- Growing up Between Two Continents
- Narrated by: Aasmah Mir
- Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
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A Pebble in the Throat
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Summary
A fascinating and emotive narrative capturing the journey many second-generation Britons have travelled from the familial bonds of their parents' countries to establishing a life and identity for themselves in the United Kingdom.
A Pebble in the Throat is two stories told in unison. Aasmah Mir growing up in Glasgow - the place of her birth - and the upbringing of her mother in Pakistan a generation before. It is an emotional and thought-provoking narrative on what it is like to live in two very different cultures whilst all the time aware of racism, prejudice and stereotyping of gender from the 1960s onwards.
A Pebble in the Throat captures life from the lens of a little girl, teenage loner, and grown-up student leaving the safety of home - a witness, sitting on the edge of two cultures, describing what it means to be striving for acceptance in one whilst attempting to fulfil expectations in the other. It will capture the essence of life as a Pakistani in Glasgow and bring vividly to life the one character who shaped her childhood - her mother - who gave her the confidence to seize life and find her voice.
Critic reviews
I will be thinking of Aasmah's story for a very long time. She writes with such richness of her life, such detail of her time at school and the love for her young brother. This book will resonate with many people no matter that they be Christian or Muslim, British or Pakistani. A treasure of a book. (Fern Britton)
An exquisite memoir, revealing how the wheels of progress have turned across two generations - but how they have also got very stuck. It is at times heart-breaking and poignant but also so very funny and clever and full of small moments that you want to pause and reread. (Fi Glover)
What listeners say about A Pebble in the Throat
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- maurice young
- 06-06-23
Read by the author, made her story enthralling and fascinating
The way the story moved back and forth in the life of Aasmah was a joy to listen to.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-02-24
Vivid and honest memoir
The juxtaposition of Aasmah's story with those of her mother and grandmother gave some interesting insights into their different worlds. Aasmah's accounts of the prejudice and discrimination she experienced at school were all the more powerful because they were described in such a matter of fact way and without self pity - I felt angry on her behalf and so pleased she was able to regain her self confidence. Her delivery was warm and engaging and I enjoyed listening to her.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 12-08-23
Wonderful
Being Pakistani, I was excited to listen to this as my parents arrived in the Uk in the 1950’s and found myself nodding through her story at certain parts. Aasma has a lovely soothing voice and whilst I got a bit confused at first as to whose story it was I figured it out. I found the final part of the book particularly poignant.
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- Mariam Mohiuddin
- 08-06-23
Writers voice makes it even better!
Being Pakistani myself I have a huge fascination with all diaspora memoirs and story telling, the narration of both Asma’s story herself and her mothers story in Pakistan makes it even more enlightening. I have to say that sometimes I would be confused by which of the two women was the narrator - (you need to pay close attention!) but the confusion was worth it to hear the story from Asma’s own voice - really gentle, soothing and wonderful to listen to!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 13-07-23
Utterly fabulous!!
Could not stop listening!! A captivating and evocative memoir - providing a carefully crafted window into two very different worlds and the lives of two inspirational woman. Beautifully read by the author. Highly recommend.
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- A. D. Weaver
- 23-05-23
I absolutely loved this book. Excelcellent memoir.
A beautifully written memoir. It was also beautifully read. Splendid storytelling. I am looking forward to the next volume.
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- Serendipity
- 17-01-24
Simply wonderful
Absolutely fascinating and moving to read Aasmah’s story and also the stories of her immediate family members as well as guardian angel, Helen. I felt so many emotions whilst reading it. It so well written, I felt like I was transported there, be it 1980s Glasgow or 1950s Pakistan. And I enjoyed every minute of it.
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- Felicity Mallam
- 24-03-24
Brilliant cross continent life
As someone who grew up in Glasgow in 1970’s then lived and worked in Pakistan in the late 90’s this was a perfect read - so many wonderful, true, insights and reflections.
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- Anonymous User
- 30-07-23
Totally absorbing
I couldn‘t stop listening to this. Her story is heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. It’s a fascinating and eyeopening account of the experience of first and second generation immigrants to the UK. She has a beautiful voice to listen to - all the more poignant that her encounters with the casual and not-so-casual racism of Glasgow in the 70s and 80s rendered her almost speechless during her teenage years. This book was recommended by a friend who went to the same school at that time and also had a truly grim experience there - I really hope it‘s improved since then.
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- Ron
- 10-06-23
Makes You Think
I didn’t come to the book with any preconceived ideas, or particular expectations. But I was hugely surprised and excited to find out how the stories were constructed and interwoven - I’ve not come across a book quite like it.
So, above and beyond an interesting description of perspectives on life which were so different to my own upbringing, this is such a captivating book. Harsh, heartbreaking and harrowing, yet with a poetry written in.
A criticism? No not really, but I was left wanting more….in a very good way.
Cannot praise this highly enough. And it’s just a simple story of how the ugly duckling overcomes all to be the beautiful swan,
PS - I cried at the exam results. But don’t tell anyone!
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