When Malika, a young orphan in rural Pakistan, is savagely attacked, her face is left disfigured and her self-esteem destroyed. Haunted by the assault, she hides from the world, finding solace in her mathematical theories.
A few years later, her intellectual brilliance is discovered, and she leaves conflict-stricken Pakistan for a better education in Melbourne, where she finds herself placed with Kate – a successful plastic surgeon facing emotional insecurities of her own.
Malika and Kate’s lives slowly intertwine as they find within each other what each has lacked alone. At first, Kate’s skills appear to offer a simple solution to Malika’s anguish, but when tragedy strikes, the price of beauty is found to be much higher than either of them could have known.
As Swallows Fly is a poignant portrayal of survival, identity and empowerment in a culture dominated by the pursuit of perfection. In a captivating and unforgettable debut, L.P. McMahon asks what might be possible if we have the courage to be flawed.
This really is a wonderful read. McMahon has presented an interesting premise, and two extremely compelling, beautifully drawn characters in Malika and Kate. We move from past to present, from Pakistan to Melbourne, through life’s many challenges for both women, arriving at a sensitively drawn relationship. I particularly loved orphan Malika, and her journey from Pakistan to an Australian boarding school, and then Kate’s home. Despite being from two very different worlds, these protagonists share a lot of similarities, including their experiences with loss. Both women are thoughtful and strong, and I was completely immersed in both, from start to perfect ending.
It wasn’t until after I finished As Swallows Fly that I looked up the author and realised ‘she’ is actually male. I’d spent the 380 pages sure I was in the hands of an excellent female author, now to find out that McMahon is actually one of those rare male authors who perfectly captures his female character’s voice and internal world.
McMahon also has a medical background and currently directs a busy medical department as Professor of Nephrology at Monash University, which makes the medical information and hospital settings in this book realistic, however it is deftly handled, never overshadowing the characters or the pace.
Thoughtful, empathetic and absorbing, As Swallows Fly is an exquisitely written debut and an impressive achievement for L.P. McMahon.
Leave a Reply