In the movie, Veer Zaara there is song where Shahrukh Khan, an Indian citizen describes India to Preity Zinta, a Pakistani. Preity Zinta responds telling – I have seen this country and know this country. Everything seems familiar my country is just like yours. Reading Louise Brown’s description of Pakistan reminded me of this song. Brown describes Pakistan simply without frills. It is not an eloquent floral description. It is facts and the book needs facts and not fiction.

Louise Brown, a sociologist from UK travels to Heera Mandi – the red light area of Pakistan and soaks in the life of the residents there. Here diaries from her stay in Heera Mandi is the book. The book is not a story but real life. In the book, Brown tells us the lives of her friends in Heera Mandi – Maha and her daughters. Maha – the dancing girl tries to break away and not have her daughters become dancing girls. Brown also tells the story of the sweepers, the drug-addicts and the children of the dancing girls. It is a vivid description. It is a wonderful window into a world I keep away from.