She was named amal after the two different kinds of intellect, her Nana tells her. “Aql nazari. A talent for imagining. And aql amali. A talent for doing. A person with this talent can plant his ideas in the world.” And it is this quality that Zahoor hopes to nurture in Amal, a child that he sees as special.

But before that can happen she has to become the eyes for her younger sister Mehwish, who is suddenly blinded. The irony is that it happens after a fossil hunt in which Amal accidentally finds proof of the Pakicetus, the oldest known primitive whale. Her curiosity and quest for knowledge are awakened and from there on she is defined by that one moment.

The Geometry of God is a complex book. With its historical setting, it raises the question of science versus religion. Zahoor, for instance, is a paleontologist during the period when General Zia is pushing for Islamic Science. The dominant thought in Pakistan at that moment is that God is greater than logic — and anyone who disagrees is a blasphemous traitor. Yet, there is a middle ground. It is revealed in the friendship that the scientist develops with a young man, Noman, whose interests lie with the Islamists — even though in his heart he does not agree. He lacks the courage to stand up for one against the other but he cannot let go of either.

The same density permeates the symbiotic relationship between the sisters. Amal may be the eyes of Mehwish’s world but the latter seems to be the one who can really see. Their differences are most visible in their relationship with

... contd.