Author- A.K. Asif
Publishers-
HarperCollins; 1 edition (11 August 2017)
Pages- 356 pages
Genre-Classic
Fiction
Blurb- 2050, New
York. In the aftermath of a grueling spiritual cleansing quest, Ismael, a
Pakistani-American student, enters into an alliance with spiritual beings who
send him on a perilous journey of self-discovery. A non-believer, Ismael must
return to Pakistan, now in the grip of a brutal fundamentalist government, and
gain the trust of his estranged father, a prominent extremist in the Caliphate.
To accomplish this, he must pose as a true believer. Will he survive long
enough to infiltrate his father's inner sanctum and complete his mission? Hell!
No Saints in Paradise is both biting satire and allegory that takes urban
fantasy to dizzying heights.
Book Review-
“Hell! No Saints in Paradise”, is a unique name for a unique book. In fact, it
was the title of this book that forced me to opt for reviewing it in spite of a
hectic schedule.
The author A.K. Asif has come up with a gem of a book- a
book which defies genres. If you look up on Amazon, it is categorized as
Classic/contemporary fiction. But believe me, there is more to it than meets
the eye. I have shared the blurb here and won’t post any spoiler, although I am
tempted to do so. I will just stick to critically evaluating the quality of
writing.
The story begins in a dingy café somewhere in Manhattan and
the dialogue between the protagonist and “an olive-skinned bespectacled girl”
sets the tone of things to follow. The writing is mature, intelligent, and laced
with a self -deprecating humor which draws the reader in. The quality of
English is at par with the best in business; something lacking in a majority of
debutant writers these days.
The story moves at a pace which can be called neither
languid nor fast though at times you feel the need to get on with the story.
The author takes his own sweet time to delineate the characters and also to
create the right scenic atmosphere; the hallmark of a good storyteller.
On the downside, the author could have handled the
relationship between Ismael and his father more delicately; it appears linear.
The climax left me craving for more-maybe because I expected just a little more
of ‘action’.
Pick up this book and cuddle in a blanket on a cold December
night-a cup of coffee is optional. You won’t be disappointed, I assure you.
Verdict- A book
in a league of its own.
About the Author-
Brought up in Lahore, Pakistan, A.K. Asif has been living in the United States
since the age of twenty. He is currently working on his next novel.
