The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra may be romantic, but it is far from a romance book. Instead, it is a novel that challenges the reader to witness the beauty of grief.

Apprenticing under his uncle as a perfumer, Samir falls instantly and wholeheartedly in love with Firdaus, who is studying to be a calligrapher under her father's tutelage. Broken into five parts, their stories span decades of their lives. When their story begins to unravel, we see the many threads of the past that brought them to this point.

Overall this was a beautiful and enjoyable read. However, there were a few items that made the experience tedious. I listen to the audiobook version courtesy of NetGalley. The narrator's voice was pleasant and evocative, but her French accent left much to be desired. The story gets a little lost in itself around the halfway point. And while overall, I enjoy the repetition as a literary device, the author's repeated use of "pistachio eyes" felt unimaginative and indolent, especially in such an otherwise lush story.

Samir and Firdaus are undoubtedly the novel's focus. However, the other characters allow us (the reader) differing perspectives and examine how history is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. But, more importantly, it reveals the power of love, time, and distance to heal. It is a story about love and loss but also about what it means to be human in times of war and political upheaval.

It was an interesting decision by the author to devote such a short amount of time to the actual Partition. It felt like an eye blink in the narrative; then I realized it was because it would have been in Firdaus and Samir's life span. The cascade of the effects of one act changed their lives irrevocably.

The historical moments of this book are used to fuel the human elements. It delivers to the reader the interwoven threads of generational trauma and generational memory. We have a front-row seat in attempting to balance individual identity with cultural identity. Firdaus fell forward into her grief, persistently ignoring her trauma but carrying the burden of shame. Samir finds himself stuck in the past, often losing sight of the present.

After their paths diverge, the theme that both stories share is the ebb and flow of sorrow. We see that Firdous and Samir's entire existence is not mired in loss; there are moments of great joy, but they never lose the profound longing for a life stolen from them. While separated by thousands of miles, their lives often mirror each other, particularly when it comes to their relationship with their grandchildren. And so, while the ending might break your heart, there is also authentic hopefulness. The repetition in the narrative, the idea that history and the universe will repeat the lesson until you learn it, the cycle, will be broken.

I got an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First off, the narrator, Deepti Gupta, did a fantastic job. She voices each character so well and has the perfect voice for narrating such beautiful writing. Great job.

Now the book. Aanchal Malhotra has such a way with words. Her descriptions and writing in the book are just so beautiful. I’m so glad I listened to this book the first time so I could really take in her writing. Smell is really important to the story and her writing brought that to life.

The story is about Samir and Firdaus, two young lovers separated by the partition of India and Pakistan and their different religions. A large part of the story is also about Samir’s uncle, who had a secret life in France during the war. As a reader, I really got to know Samir well. As a nostalgic person myself, I connected with his longing for his past life that was taken from him, despite trying to move forward. The ending was heartbreaking, but also very moving.

My only complaint is that I did not feel that I got to know Firdaus as well. She is a large character throughout the book, but the story is only told from her perspective as a teenager and then rarely and sporadically as an adult. I suppose that it ties into how Samir doesn’t really know what her life is like since their separation, but I would’ve loved to have read more about her life without Samir.

Overall, I really loved this book. The writing was beautiful and I loved the story. I would definitely recommend it, especially the audiobook as the narrator really helps bring this story to life.

In a Nutshell: An epic romantic drama spanning decades, focussing on two characters whose lives were upended by the 1947 partition of India & Pakistan. Expected more focus on the partition, but this remains character-oriented than country-oriented. Nevertheless, an interesting read.

Story Synopsis:
When ten-year-old trainee perfumer Samir Vig met eight-year-old trainee calligrapher Firdaus Khan in Lahore in 1938, there was an instant connection between them. About a decade later, Samir and Firdaus are hoping for a beautiful future together when there’s devastating news: the British are finally leaving India, but the country is to be divided into India and Pakistan. At first, no one knows where Lahore will end up as it has a Hindu-majority population. But once the new borders become known, the battle lines between old friends are drawn. Caught in the religious and political melee are the two young lovers. Destiny takes them away from each other, and only time can tell if they will meet again.
The story spans multiple countries and almost eight decades.


I had heard a lot about acclaimed writer-historian Aanchal Malhotra’s ‘Remnants of a Separation: A History of the Partition through Material Memory’ and have been meaning to read it since ages. But when I saw that she has written her first fiction novel set around the Indo-Pak partition, I knew I had to give it a try. Reading a fictional work written by a historian has plenty of pros and plenty of cons as well.


Where the book worked for me:
😍 I learnt a lot about perfumery (and ittar-making) and calligraphy, and when I say a lot, I mean A LOT!

😍 If you are a historical fiction reader, you might have read plenty of stories about European experiences during WWI or WWII. But hardly anyone knows that Indian soldiers (referred to as the ‘British Indian Army’ under the colonial rule) played a massive role in both the wars. This book finally highlights that “we were also there”. We were also killed. We also suffered. And it wasn’t even our war! While this wasn’t the primary focus of the story, it still gets enough attention, and I appreciate the inclusion and that line: “We were also there”.

😍 Though the details of the partition weren’t as extensive as I had expected, the pain comes out clearly nonetheless. This isn’t the best book I have read about our country’s forced split, but it is among the better ones. I applaud the author’s decision to present both sides of the story (Hindu & Muslim) without siding with either.

😍 The characters are sketched very realistically. None of them are perfect but almost real human beings with their delicate egos and their blatant flaws. There are plenty of memorable secondary characters.

😍 Though I still refuse to accept that a ten-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl can have an instant romantic connect, the rest of the relationship between Samir and Firdaus is developed nicely. I love their closeness, their rapport, and their sacrifices for each other. The first two sections are focussed on them, and these were easily the best sections of the book.

😍 The historical depiction of Lahore seems spot on. The city is described in such wonderful detail that I could almost picture it before my eyes. The advantage of having a historian as an author is that the accuracy is spot on.

😍 The prose is lyrical and mesmerising. The author has a knack for stringing words beautifully, and there are plenty of quotable quotes. There are plenty of Hindi words and phrases, but these are explained well or are guessable from context.


Where the book could have worked better for me:
💔 The disadvantage of having a historian as an author is that there are way too many historical data incorporated in the story, whether they are necessary to the plot or not. Having some data helps, but when random characters start spouting random data, it seems extraneous.

💔 I thought that this was a story about the partition. However, a great chunk of the initial buildup is towards the romance between Samir and Firdaus. Then there are a few chapters on the partition itself, and the rest is about the characters’ lives much after the partition. I guess calling this a family epic or a historical romance would be more accurate than assuming it to be partition literature.

💔 The middle section of the book is too repetitive. Characters seem to say and think the same thing over and over again. Oh, the number of times there is a reference to “pistachio eyes”! It is so irritating after a while!


The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 17hrs 22 min, is narrated by Deepti Gupta. I have heard plenty of audiobooks narrated by Indian origin narrators but this is the first time I felt like I was listening to an Indian. Her voice tok a while to grown on me, but after a while, I got into the groove. Furthermore, there are plenty of French lines in the plot, and Gupta handles them equally well. Her male voices weren’t too friendly on my ears, but otherwise, she put up a pretty good performance and I would surely recommend the audio version, especially as the book is quite ponderous in between.
PS: I can't tell you how thrilled I was to hear Indian introductory music at the start and the end of the audiobook. Such small touches make such a big difference to our experience.


All in all, this is a book that goes much beyond what it promises – it covers partition, history, romance, tragedy, family relationships, PTSD,… This isn’t necessarily a good thing. In attempting so much, I feel that it lost its core focal point. I have seen this happen with many debut authors; they want to include every topic under the sun into their first book itself. Why? Keep some themes in stock for your next work!

It is still a good enough book, but it could have been marvellous had it been finetuned and all the superfluous arcs had been edited away. I did learn a lot about our history; it just wasn’t the kind of history I expected to learn!

Recommended to those looking for an authentic Indian historical fiction, a historical tragic relationship, and a glimpse of the Indo-Pak ethos of the era. Not recommended if you want “romantic romance” or a detailed look at the post-partition violence.

3.5 stars, rounding up for the audio version.


My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Book of Everlasting Things”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra was both a moving historical fiction novel and a heartbreaking romance story that spanned decades. It took place in Hindustan in a city called Lahore where Hindus, Muslims and all religious sects lived side by side in harmony. These people of different religious groups worked along side one another and frequented each other’s shops. There was a coexistence that was treated with respect by all that lived in Lahore. That peaceful coexistence lasted until 1947. Leading up to that time, Muslims started to become increasingly vocal and insistent about establishing their own country that they would call Pakistan. No one knew exactly where Pakistan would be situated but the Muslims were determined to establish their own country free of Hindu people. In 1947, The Partition occurred. After much destruction, looting, fires, violence and deaths, a separate Pakistan and India were established. Aanchai Malhotra vividly described the unrest that preceded The Partition and even the skepticism and disbelief that some felt about it. I had no prior knowledge about this historic event even though I had read several books that portrayed the friction between the Hindu people and Muslims. What a time of upheaval and loss on both sides! The city of Lahore was ravaged by The Partition. I listened to the audiobook that was brilliantly narrated by Deepti Gupta.

The Vij family had lived in Lahore for many generations. They owned and operated a clothing and textile business that was quite successful until the start of World War I. Vivik, the eldest son of the Vij family, decided to join the war and fight for the British. He was anxious to leave Lahore and seek adventure. His family tried to persuade Vivik to change his mind but their efforts fell on deaf ears. It was years before Vivik returned to Lahore. There had been little correspondence between Vivik and his family while he fought in the war. When Avik finally returned, he was a changed man. He never shared any details about his time that he was away with anyone. Avik remained solitary and avoided all festivities, large gatherings and loud noises. Then months after Avik returned home he suggested that the family abandon their clothing and textile business that was failing and open up an Ittar (perfume) shop. Avik soon discovered that his younger brother’s son, Samir, had an extraordinary sense of smell so Avik commissioned Samir to become his apprentice in the perfume shop. Samir was ten years old. On a morning in 1938, after Samir had been his uncle’s apprentice for a while, the Khan family entered the perfume shop. The Khan family were calligraphers and they were looking for a perfume to scent their papers. Nine year old, Fridaus, was her father’s apprentice in their calligraphy business. While Fridaus’s father conducted business with Samir’s uncle, Fridaus wandered through the shop until she locked her pistachio eyes on Samir. There was an instant connection between the two that over the years cultivated into such a strong love for one another. It did not matter that Samir was Hindu and Fridaus was Muslim until The Partition. When Samir’s entire family was killed as a result of The Partition he went to Fridaus and her family but he was no longer welcomed and he was sent away. Fridaus denied Samir her love and he was sent away. What would happen to Samir? He had lost his entire family and the only home he ever knew. Where would he go? Would he ever get over Fridaus’s rejection of him? Could he forget about Fridaus over time or would she forever haunt his thoughts and dreams?

The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra was her debut novel. Her prose was almost lyrical. The research for The Book of Everlasting Things was impeccable. I was immediately drawn into the story of this multi-generational saga. The art of perfumery was fascinating to learn about as well. The Book of Everlasting Things was about discovery, love, customs, tragedy, loss, culture and history. There were five parts to The Book of Everlasting Things. It was a rather long audiobook ( 17 hours and 22 minutes) but I was so invested in the story that I didn’t seem to mind. The Book of Everlasting Things was well plotted and the characters were well developed, endearing and believable for the most part. I really enjoyed listening to The Book of Everlasting Things and I highly recommend it. Publication was December 27, 2022.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to The Book of Everlasting Things as it was recommended for fans of All The Light We Cannot See. Since that is one of my all-time favorite novels, this was a must-have for me. This sweeping story is best described as breathtakingly, refreshingly human. Malhotra draws upon the senses in a way I've never experienced a writer do before, conjuring smell and memory linked with emotion and history while narrating an epic love story across time. What memories are held within the human brain that are linked to smell? What emotions? Do these sensory experiences fade over time? All of this, and more, awaits you in The Book of Everlasting Things.

The Book of Everlasting Things

By Aabchal Malhotra

Genre: Historical Fiction, Diverse Reads
Narrator: Deepti Gupta
Length: 17 hours, 22 minutes


Samir Vij has inherited “a nose” that is hungry to perceive all the scents that surround him. His Uncle Vivik is surprised by the boy’s natural gift and takes him on as his apprentice to learn the fine art of perfume making. Samir is 10 years old when Fridaus Khan strolls into the family’s ittar shop in Lahore. Fridaus is the calligrapher’s apprentice. He can’t believe his good fortune when Samir is encouraged to learn calligraphy, in order to assist in the making of beautiful labels to match the shop’s exquisite perfumes. And so begins this tale of star-crossed lovers. Samir is a Hindu and Fridaus is Muslim and the politics of Partition and family obligations will force them to make a choice.

The Book of Everlasting Things is everything I love in a historical fiction. A sensual and transportive story with a strong sense of place and time. It provides a window into the chaos and lasting impact Partition created for its inhabitants as one nation Hindustan was sundered in two - India and Pakistan, Hindu and Muslim. It is also a multi-generational story about the power of memory, enduring love, loss and family.

Deepti Gupta was the perfect narrator for the book as she brought depth and emotion to this beatifully rendered tale. If I have any criticism it would be her affected French accent in her portrayal of Samir’s granddaughter Anuk in the last chapters of the story. But I would nevertheless highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @MacMillian.Audio for the opportunity to review this ALC.
Look for it! Pub date: 27 December 2022
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I struggled with this book. The writing is lovely, but the subject was hard to understand as I was not familiar with India or the events of this time and the author did not sufficiently explain what was happening. I thought the author was trying to accomplish too many things with in one story and theref0re everything was lost on this reader.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Malhotra's historical novel might be long but the details that she includes and her dedication to weaving the mystery and sensuality of smell and perfumery, the art of writing and manuscript construction was appreciated.

I've seen reviews lamenting the length and the mourning of first love lost, but when I listened, I found layers of stories beneath the romance that was halted before it could fully bloom, of a country divided, senseless violence and refusal to see where we are more alike than different, of family traditions and loss, of a war that swallowed men from nations who understood nothing of why their lives were called upon to serve, of finding a different kind of love even as we long for the love that ended prematurely.

I love the depths of the scents that ran through this story, of how each character could be associated with multiple smells and how they could evoke memories of times past and the unfolding of history. Although every love story does not end in happiness, their power to endure time and space was strongly epitomized in this tale.

Thank you @netgalley for the ALC of The Book of Everlasting Things by Aanchal Malhotra. This book comes out December 27. The narrator was perfect for the story and kept me engrossed in the characters. The writing is descriptive and flowery. The beginning was a little slow with the description of the perfumes and some phrases were over repeated, like "pistachio colored eyes". However, the overall story was beautiful.

The is a tragic love story of Samir, a perfume apprentice, and Firdaus, a calligrapher's apprentice.
They fall in love, but get wrapped up in the Partition of India.
The book is about the war and division of India and formation of Pakistan and the lives of theses two characters.

I struggled a bit getting through this one. It was long! I think audio helped.

I did like the interesting relationship between a Hindu perfumer and a Muslim calligrapher. They fall in love and their cultures collide. There was also a divide between India and Pakistan, which also complicated their relationship.

I had a hard time following the storyline and there was a lot of information. This, perhaps, would have been a better read for me if not attempting it during the hustle and bustle of December and the holiday season.

I did like that it reminds you that smells (perfume included but others also) are linked to memories and emotions. I feel that is true!

I think it's a beautifully written book, but was perhaps not for me at this hectic time of year. I may revisit it!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

The Book of Everlasting things is a very sweet and romantic story, but has strong undertones of tragedy and regret. I have not read much historical fiction set in India/ Pakistan and this book makes me want to learn more. The partition was such an impactful and tragic upheaval for so many people and this story really brings that to light in a way that makes me wonder about the relatinship between its two main characters and the relationship between Insia and Pakistan. The narration is beautiful and the story is moving.

This book was weird, but in a good way that I didn’t even realize I needed in my life. I really enjoyed it!

Beautifully written and heartbreaking, The Book of Everlasting Things follows the lives of two lovers separated by Partition. Each goes on to have families of their own, all while their love endures. The story was thought-provoking and the characters were complex. I really enjoyed this read and I think a lot of others will too!

In the last days of the Raj in 1937 India, a perfumer’s apprentice and a calligrapher’s apprentice fall in love. Samir is learning the family trade at their perfume store in Lahore when Firdaus is brought in to help design a label worthy of gracing an exquisite bottle of perfume. The two plan to spend their lives together, but Partition separates them, with Samir, a Hindu becoming Indian and Firdaus, a Muslim, becoming Pakistani. Suddenly their love is forbidden and they must decide whether to start new lives, without each other or to risk everything to be together. A heartbreaking story with beautiful, is somewhat lengthy prose.

I just couldn't get into this -- there was way too much exposition with too little payoff.

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