Set against the backdrop of the final stages of Bangladesh’s war of independence, ‘A Golden Age’ is a gripping novel.  Tahmima Anan gives us a clear account of a country which emerged both shattered and victorious after the horrors of 1971. But this is not only a historical novel, covering the brutality and heroism of war.  Through gentle detail and subtle humour,   it shows us an entire culture, with its food, mannerisms, and daily life.  And it is also the story of a mother and her children, with their bonds and frustrations, trying to stand up for their values and sense of justice in turbulent times.  We hurtle with them to a dramatic end which is both shocking and heroic. Ultimately, ‘A Golden Age’ is a story of deep  love. A worthy winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Prize Best First Book Award.