Publisher's Synopsis
'I felt Morrison's hand under my dress. It was then that I should have resisted. I should have pushed him away. Slapped his face. Shouted at him to "Get out of my flat!". But I didn't. I didn't know what to do. Then it was too late. 'A true story of murder, jealousy, politics and violence. A family saga. A clash of cultures. A memoir of a young woman's survival in an abusive marriage. Refusing to Bow is the story of Farida J Manekshah's family and how the murder of her brother by his best friend - for jealousy over a girl - led to them leaving their beloved Karachi home, Faridabad House, to move to London. But first they would have to reclaim their palace from the Pakistan government. Even once settled in London, Farida did not enjoy the same freedoms as her classmates and in a desperate attempt to escape her family, ended up trapped in a disastrous marriage to a violent alcoholic. It was then the same family from which she had sought escape which now rallied round to give her the courage to break free. Coming of age saga as Karachi girl, Farida, fights her family for the liberties which her English classmates take for granted. But her problems are about to get worse as she marries a violent alcoholic in the mistaken belief that this will give her the freedoms she craves. A tale of survival. In an age of teddy boys. Of rock and roll. And of a young woman's determination to break free and live her own life. And never to bow down to anyone. 'Papa examined the belt-buckle. It was moulded in the shape of the letters 'BJM'. He pointed it out to Minwalla. "It is Beheram. This is the belt I had specially made for him." '
