Dur e Aziz Amna's second novel, A Splintering, follows Tara, a woman from a poor farming family in Pakistani Punjab who is determined to escape poverty and build a life of wealth in the city. The story contrasts her ambitions with those of her brother Lateef, who benefits from patriarchal privileges despite similar origins.
Tara marries an unambitious accountant and adapts to urban life, but her relentless desire for more leads her to make compromises that exact a heavy price. Her mother, a sharp-tongued survivor of patriarchy, serves as the novel's conscience, highlighting the struggles women face in both old and new Pakistan.
The novel's prose is energetic and lyrical, capturing the squalor of rural life and the glittering corruption of the city. However, Tara's imaginary film sequences detract from the otherwise gripping narrative. Major events in Pakistan's history provide subtle context.
The climax sees Tara grappling with fears of her domineering brother, leading to a devastating finale that questions whether her quest for freedom was worth the cost.
