The modern breed of writers from Pakistan bring a lot of promises. Obviously with the success of their first stint in writing, they bring delight to readers like me. I know I am in all awe of individuals from the neighbouring estranged country which we all love to hate, but how can I deny pure talent. Did not we all love Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Abida Parveen?? Similarly, I am in all awe of Mohammed Hanif these days. What a brilliant writer. It just does not seem that his debut novel "A case of exploding mangoes" is his first attempt in bringing forth a fiction in hard bound. I never read reviews or the prologue to a book. I feel it kills the entire juicy anticipation of reading. The joy and pleasure that I get in reading something raw is simply profound. Of course, many a times I have been greatly disappointed in such attempts, but nevertheless I still continue with my surprise reading. It is like going in for a blind date, and I love it.
So, it was during one such blind date that I got hooked up with this one. Also, because now it has been years since it's first print, so the original price has come down up to my purchasing power. Hence, I bought it for 200 INR. And my my what a good buy it was. One such book that indeed is "unputdownable". It is one of those stories that you wish it never ended. It should just keep on going on and on and on. My connection with is was instant since it is based on an IAF trainee. Most of the lingo in the book is familiar to me. That indeed made me think if the men in uniform live more or less the same life everywhere, irrespective of the land beneath them. the writing is remakable, I mean how can someone weave a fictional story around a fact in the history. And the history here is of Pakistan almost 20 years back. With a country like Pakistan I am surprised how come the writier is still alive. Well, I will be witnessing him alive just after 2 days. I am so excited about the fact that I am going to see him live in my life time. Hope our very own self proclaimed poster boy of Indian middle class who is more of an "item number" in literature gets some cue from him.
I wish Mr. Murzaban Shroff also attended the festival. Well, for those who do not know him, he is the writer who lost to Mr. Hanif in the short listing for the Booker. I was lucky to meet him as well. I contacted him after I fell in love with his debut book "Breathless in Bombay". He was graceful in accepting my request and was a gracious host in inviting me over for a cup of tea and biscuits. Now if someday I get to witness same hospitality from my first favourite writer Mr. Khuswant Singh, I would be indeed happy and would consider myself real lucky.
Attaching my picture with Mr. Shroff.
So, it was during one such blind date that I got hooked up with this one. Also, because now it has been years since it's first print, so the original price has come down up to my purchasing power. Hence, I bought it for 200 INR. And my my what a good buy it was. One such book that indeed is "unputdownable". It is one of those stories that you wish it never ended. It should just keep on going on and on and on. My connection with is was instant since it is based on an IAF trainee. Most of the lingo in the book is familiar to me. That indeed made me think if the men in uniform live more or less the same life everywhere, irrespective of the land beneath them. the writing is remakable, I mean how can someone weave a fictional story around a fact in the history. And the history here is of Pakistan almost 20 years back. With a country like Pakistan I am surprised how come the writier is still alive. Well, I will be witnessing him alive just after 2 days. I am so excited about the fact that I am going to see him live in my life time. Hope our very own self proclaimed poster boy of Indian middle class who is more of an "item number" in literature gets some cue from him.
Attaching my picture with Mr. Shroff.
yes, he must be lucky enough to survive there and write :)
ReplyDelete-DeepaK
These are impressive articles. Keep up the sunny handiwork.
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