Night of the Golden Butterfly (Vol. 5) (The Islam Quintet)

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The final installment of the Islam Quintet, this novel weaves a rich tapestry of historical and contemporary narratives across cities like Lahore, London, Paris, and Beijing. The story begins when the narrator receives a call reminding him of a debt owed to Mohammed Aflatun, or Plato, a talented yet irritable painter in a Pakistan where human dignity has deteriorated. Plato seeks to have his life story documented, prompting a journey through his connections. Among them is Alice Stepford, a prominent music critic in New York, and Mrs. Naughty Latif, an Islamabad housewife whose attraction to military figures propels her to Paris, where she gains recognition as a leading intellectual voice in the Islamic world. The narrative also introduces Jindie, the Golden Butterfly, who represents the narrator's first love. Her family's tumultuous history is intertwined with the tale, featuring her ancestor Dù Wénxiù, who led a Muslim rebellion in nineteenth-century Yunnan and ruled Dali as Sultan Suleiman. This novel showcases the author's imaginative prowess, blending satire with profound insights into contemporary life and history.