“As a publisher and writer for over 50 years, I have much experience of editors and copyeditors. I can truthfully say that Ayesha Chari is the most brilliant editor I have ever worked with. She was my editor on an enormous book I wrote a few years ago and a shorter (particularly complicated) book. I have done my share of editing other people, but it is not so easy being on the receiving end. Ayesha handled my insecurities and vanities with great tact and won me over to make changes, especially ones I didn’t want to make. ‘Murder your darlings’ – she didn’t actually use those words, but that was the painful demand made upon me (amidst many less dramatic proposals) by a consummate reader with an impeccable ear. No gain without pain, they say. Absolutely true.”