Fiction Pick of the Week: The Flying Man

The Flying Man by Roopa Farooki

Maquil, a man of mystery, a career criminal, a free spirit, finds the tedium of earning a living an utter bore. He prefers instead casinos and cons. Crossing continents at a hectic pace since the age of 16 he emerged from Pakistan with a string of aliases and an ambiguous identity. A suitcase was always packed and at the ready so he could skip out with selfish indifference from his several wives and children on a moments whim to plot more money-making schemes. A maverick to the very end this compelling and multilayered character plays the game of his life in a story that is at times darkly funny and powerful.

Roopa Farooki was nominated for the Orange Prize for this astonishing, deeply moving story. For me this story is an absolute winner.