Hira Mandi by Claudine Le Tournaler d'Ison (SPOILERS!)

We recently read this for our book club. This is a beautifully written book set in the infamous Hira Mandi district of Lahore, Pakistan. Hira Mandi is the popular red light district of Pakistan.
Set against the political background of Pakistan, the book shows the slow transformation of the area, from the hub of art and the elegance of the leftover Mughal era to the neglected, dilapidated back alleys of Lahore.
The main protagonist of the book is Shanawaz, an unwanted male child of a prostitute.
The book chronicles his life from a 5 year old neglected boy to a world renowned artist. his close association with the prostitutes makes him a sensitive man who then portrays their suffering and plight via canvas and paints.
The portrayal of the lives of the women of Hira Mandi is fascinating. Shanawaz's mother chooses to groom her daughter Laila from the tender age of six to enter this profession. Then at the delicate age of 12, she has a huge 'ring taking ceremony', which is a deflowering ritual where all the known customers are called and the highest bidder gets to take her for the night. Laila's mother chooses her own favourite lover for this ceremony. As a reader, this is quite appalling even if his sensitivity and tenderness during love making is quoted as the reason.
Then the author shows Laila and Shanawaz enter a horrible incestuous relationship in their teenage years, which carries on for three years. It is suggested that although the mother was aware, she turned a blind eye. However, the affian is cut short as Laila is shot dead by one of her customers.
Shanawaz's life is full of ups and downs, not just financially but mentally and emotionally, as well. he is married to a woman with whom he shares nothing other than the marital bed for the sole purpose of procreating.
His first daughter is taken away by his mother who grooms and then enters her into the profession, As a father, he is helpless to the situation, even though it is against his wishes. It is matriarchal family and the mother rules supreme. From an uneducated boy, he changes his life by educating himself, working and basically daring to step out of the old walled city.
The author has portrayed the area and the lives of the people there wonderfully. However, the ending was a little vague and abstract, as if she wasn't sure of how to finish the story. Also, the last 1/4th of the book deviated from the central theme.
Our book club rated this between a 3 and 3.5 out of 5.