Chapter 1 Summary

The story opens with the birth of the main character, Nazneen, in the Mymensingh District of East Pakistan. Her mother, Rupban, mistakes the pain of her contractions for indigestion. After an hour and forty-five minutes of bearing it in silence, Rupban lets out a screech that brings her husband Hamid running to kill whoever is attacking her. But it is too late, by the time Hamid finds out what is really happening and fetches the old midwife, Banesa, the baby has already been delivered and is showing no signs of life.

Banesa, who has claimed to be 120 years old for the past several years, announces that the baby is dead and she accuses Rupban of not calling her on time just so that she can save some money. Rupban's sister-in-law, Mumtaz, accidentally drops the slippery newborn on the bed, and, to their shock...