Six Metres of Pavement by Farzana Doctor

Set in Canada, Six Meters of Pavement is a delicate tale of loss, regret and how people cope with tragedy. 

Ismail Boxwala made the worst mistake of his life one summer morning twenty years ago: he forgot his baby daughter in the back seat of his car. Now, after his daughter’s tragic death, he struggles to continue living. A divorce, years of heavy drinking, and sex with strangers only leave him more alone and isolated. 

But Ismail’s story begins to change after he reluctantly befriends two women: Fatima, a young queer activist kicked out of her parents’ home, and Celia, his grieving Portuguese-Canadian neighbour who lives just six meters away. While a slow-simmering romance develops between Ismail and Celia, dangers lead Fatima to his doorstep. Each woman makes complicated demands of him, ones he is uncertain that he can meet. 

About the Author
Farzana Doctor is a Toronto-based writer whose work has been published in Siren Magazine, Trikone, Sightlines 7 Anthology and Aurat Durbar. She has also had chapters, reviews and articles published in edited books and journals, has co-written a manual for therapists, co-written plays and co-produced a documentary video. She is a social worker, educator and consultant as well. 

Her first novel, Stealing Nasreen, received many accolades and was shortlisted for the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Readers Choice Award. It was also named one of the Top Ten Books of 2011 by NOW magazine. Find out more about Farzana on her website—www.farzanadoctor.com, and her blog—www.farzanadoctor.wordpress.com