Karachi Literature Festival broughyt to you by Oxford University Press.
Did anyone from here attend the Festival?
I actually have never read any novel from Pakistani author. Never. Embarrassing I know, but maybe we can use this thread as a platform to discuss, share and appreciate the quality, richness and diversity of Pakistani literature (mainly in English…I know another embarrassing fact about me).
I hardly read non-fiction, but Karachi Literature Festival has caught my attention and it would nice to hear some local literary opinions and readers’ guide about some of the books featured in the festival.
I genuinely appreciate any kind of creative growth in Pakistan, and it’s very heartening to see KLF being called a complete success. I hope they keep the momentum going and may we see more and more creative campaigns taking place throughout the country.
Even on Sunday night, there were news of agitation before CM House for arrest of one of their worker. So, its very hard to plan for these occasions under these circumstances.
How ironic is that? On one hand you have this great festival that celebrates freedom, peace, knowledge and vigour through literature, and on another, you have MQM the vicious mafia party keeping the City on standstill, pushing her further into darknessm, sucking the life out of her. People like me are left thinking - which story do you believe? Which Karachi should you see and trust - the lively, colourful and unstoppable City celebrated in KLF or the one that’s helpless, weak, repressed and chronically abused captive of MQM? The lines between reality and fiction couldn’t be any more obvious.
Anyway, getting back to discussing books. Since I am one those people who don’t mind judging the book by it’s cover, why do I feel, most of Pakistani authors write depressing novels? I have read some seriously depressing non fiction, but God knows I cannot read depressing books.
How ironic is that? On one hand you have this great festival that celebrates freedom, peace, knowledge and vigour through literature, and on another, you have MQM the vicious mafia party keeping the City on standstill, pushing her further into darknessm, sucking the life out of her. People like me are left thinking - which story do you believe? Which Karachi should you see and trust - the lively, colourful and unstoppable City celebrated in KLF or the one that's helpless, weak, repressed and chronically abused captive of MQM? The lines between reality and fiction couldn't be any more obvious.
Anyway, getting back to discussing books. Since I am one those people who don't mind judging the book by it's cover, why do I feel, most of Pakistani authors write depressing novels? I have read some seriously depressing non fiction, but God knows I cannot read depressing books.
Pakistan writers who writes in English probably don't have choice to write anything other than depression, especially novels. Though, I myself have not read these writers but the major names Uzma Aslam Khan, Kamila Shamsie, Tehmina Durrani, Mohsin Hamid all are famous for their depression oriented work.
The general perception I get from media about Pakistan's English literature is that it's tastelessly depressing, in a very attentions seeking way. The eternal pessimism, bleakness, despair and self loathing is quite disgusting. It's like it's almost fashionable to appear depress and defeated. If these novelists' write anything remotely like the columnists you read on Dawn & Co, I would probably never even touch their books.
The general perception I get from media about Pakistan's English literature is that it's tastelessly depressing, in a very attentions seeking way. The eternal pessimism, bleakness, despair and self loathing is quite disgusting. It's like it's almost fashionable to appear depress and defeated. If these novelists' write anything remotely like the columnists you read on Dawn & Co, I would probably never even touch their books.
Or you can call that the reality. I've only read a handful of books written by Pakistani authors and one of them is a British Pakistani - I genuinely enjoyed them and in general, I love South Asian English literature. It has a dose of culture, history, emotion, story-telling, and realism that is very engaging.
Or you can call that the reality. I've only read a handful of books written by Pakistani authors and one of them is a British Pakistani - I genuinely enjoyed them and in general, I love South Asian English literature. It has a dose of culture, history, emotion, story-telling, and realism that is very engaging.
Or you can call that the reality. I've only read a handful of books written by Pakistani authors and one of them is a British Pakistani - I genuinely enjoyed them and in general, I love South Asian English literature. It has a dose of culture, history, emotion, story-telling, and realism that is very engaging.
any other recommendations?
Pessimism is a terrible thing; it’s one that that must be excluded from all realities. It’s probably just my personality, but I don’t see any charm in self imposed sadness, self pitying, self-flagellation and self invented depths of despair. There’s a fine line between creating a wonderfully gentle and thoughtful melancholy which is soothing and prophetic in its influence, and writing an utterly and mindlessly depressing prose. As a young female, I enjoy reading books full of ardent hope with loudest notes of triumph, tales of survival with ultimate message highlighting the power positivity.
Of course I haven’t said any book from Pakistan based authors (I have read Indian novels and thought they were quite brilliant), but the general impression I get from reading Pakistani columns and writing is not encouraging, at all. I am deeply disappointed, in fact. The kind of pessimism and demoralisation you see Pakistani journalism, makes it so hard to believe this is a nation with one of the largest youth population and unfortunately, in war. Where is the hope, belief, vigour and unity?
Why so serious?
PS. Sorry Scherbatsky, my intention wasn't to make you go to sleep, lol.
I think in most cases the audience for the english work is infact western readers; insight into the mystery that is Pakistan/Islam and mostly related to geopolitical issues. Honestly, this is what the westerners primarily consume i guess.
Positive, spirited work which you hope to be produced for Pakistanis; isn't just there, because there is no one to read.
I think in most cases the audience for the english work is infact western readers; insight into the mystery that is Pakistan/Islam and mostly related to geopolitical issues. Honestly, this is what the westerners primarily consume i guess.
Positive, spirited work which you hope to be produced for Pakistanis; isn't just there, because there is no one to read.
I don't agree to this. I have seen Khushwant Singh's novels like Delhi, A Train to Pakistan, etc selling more than these depressed works of Pakistani writers in Pakistan.
Pessimism is a terrible thing; it’s one that that must be excluded from all realities. It’s probably just my personality, but I don’t see any charm in self imposed sadness, self pitying, self-flagellation and self invented depths of despair. There’s a fine line between creating a wonderfully gentle and thoughtful melancholy which is soothing and prophetic in its influence, and writing an utterly and mindlessly depressing prose. As a young female, I enjoy reading books full of ardent hope with loudest notes of triumph, tales of survival with ultimate message highlighting the power positivity.
Of course I haven’t said any book from Pakistan based authors (I have read Indian novels and thought they were quite brilliant), but the general impression I get from reading Pakistani columns and writing is not encouraging, at all. I am deeply disappointed, in fact. The kind of pessimism and demoralisation you see Pakistani journalism, makes it so hard to believe this is a nation with one of the largest youth population and unfortunately, in war. Where is the hope, belief, vigour and unity?
Why so serious?
PS. Sorry Scherbatsky, my intention wasn't to make you go to sleep, lol.
Don't worry about putting me to sleep, I'm advocating for keeping it real, remember. Beauty of South Asian lit, sadness and despair isn’t self-imposed for the most part and that is where the appeal is really for the reader and frankly I’m glad there is minimal romanticizing of the everyday life. Also as a somewhat young female, I’d say I find reading these tales of reality more helpful and full of wisdom than the rah-rahs on never-ending list of accolades.
I don't agree to this. I have seen Khushwant Singh's novels like Delhi, A Train to Pakistan, etc selling more than these depressed works of Pakistani writers in Pakistan.
Train to Pakistan wasn't exactly positive and spirited. But he did try to have a satisfying ending for the most part - which I think kind of killed it.
Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossieni is a perfect example how to do realism without repetition and smug rambling. Deep, meaningful writing with style as clear as water, no gimmicky stylistic conventions and excessively wordy discourse. The book deals with brutality, violence, oppression and heartache, yet the book manages to convey the resilient sense of hope, optimism, redemption. I'm hopeful that there are Pakistani authors whose writing and story telling skills are just compelling and meaningful as Hossieni's.
Our friend Muqawee can perhaps help me identify political hacks disguised as authors who only write to convey social messages, and authors who genuinely pen down moving and spirited stories and create memorable characters. :)
As per my little exposure to Pakistani English novelists (names mentioned in posts above), I don’t think that these writers conveyed hope in their writings.
Bapsi Sidhwa’s work is amazing, though she also has written on partition and widows status, but her characters are well built. I liked characters of ‘Ice- Candy Man’.
Raaz ki baat : I got a four novels of Bapsi including (Crow Eaters, Ice-candy Man aka Cracking India, An American Brat, A Pakistan Bride) for just Rs 200 from Oxford’s stall at Expo.
