Critical Praise

“Mesmerizing prose [and] heart-stopping action…both honest and astounding.” 

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“THREE BARGAINS is such a beautifully written book, full of moving, honest, indelible characters that make you hate to leave them by the end --- an astonishing debut! Reading Malik’s first novel reminded me of encountering Toni Morrison and Louise Erdrich’s early fiction --- you already see the promise of genius there.” 

—Jonis Agee, author of THE RIVER WIFE

“This is the kind of novel one sinks into, forgetting everything but the story. Madan’s story begins in an Indian factory town controlled by a man both brutal and loving (imagine a South Asian Tony Soprano). The boy’s exotic and extreme circumstances simply magnify the kinds of yearnings most of us have --- for love, safety, a good father --- and the conflicts and compromises we all face.” 

—Peggy Payne, author of SISTER INDIA