In an enchanting bildungsroman, Jennifer Bradbury beautifully weaves the triumphs and disappointments of three teenagers who although come from very different backgrounds, find their lives to be surprisingly similar. Set in India during the climax of events leading to the creation of Pakistan, life lessons seep from the unstable conditions present in 1947 India as well as the confusion surrounding adolescence. Margaret, the daughter of a British map maker, Anupreet, a Sikh servant in the map maker's house and Tariq, a Muslim servant in the map maker's house, take turns sharing their understandings and insights of the happenings of the household. The three stumble upon a surprising friendship as they learn together the lessons mystery, danger and love have to offer.
Bradbury successfully portrays the drama involved in the creation of Pakistan to an audience who probably finds the involved dilemmas unfamiliar. She balances the important historical fiction aspect of her novel with the folds in the lives of her three main characters Margaret, Anupreet and Tariq. In using three characters of different backgrounds and displaying their individual concepts of their surroundings, Bradbury is able to discreetly build bridges between cultures and world views. In doing so she invites her readers to also discover similarities in unforeseen places. Teachers and parents could therefore utilize this novel as a gateway to encouraging youth to look beyond their inner circle and to become curious and engaged in others around them. Teens will find A Moment Comes easy to relate to. The cover is alluring to female readers although one could argue its potential among both sexes as the main characters are each easily relate-able in their own context. Following a scandal involved with an American soldier, Margaret reflects one who is a product of her upbringing yet simultaneously fights between what society expects of her and how she wishes to view and accept herself. Tariq offers a comradery with those who have turned from their roots are are looking to find a way back. And sweet Anupreet illustrates one who finds themselves in a sticky situation, the root of which cannot quite be found or understood, and the growth that comes with making sense of one's surroundings.
Bradbury accurately captures the wonder attached to adolescence, but possibly goes a step too far in her descriptions of Margaret and her American soldier as well as the tension between Tariq and the two girls. Bradbury takes advantage of the setting by using local jargon that adds validity as well as class to the story. By including a dictionary of sorts at the conclusion of the novel the reader is continuously able to remain engaged despite the common usage of a foreign language. In a smooth plot, Bradbury paints a vivid picture for her reader of the excitement involved in being young and the danger involved in not fully understanding one's surroundings or circumstance. A Moment Comes can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It is especially appropriate for young adults as that is the age of the three the story follows.
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