The Return of Faraz Ali by Aamina Ahmad
A spellbinding debut set in Pakistan during the political upheavals of the late '60s - a propulsive tale of family, secrets and survival in a caste-ridden, patriarchal society.
Stunning, not only on account of the author's talent, of which there is clearly plenty, but also in its humanity, in how a book this unflinching in its depiction of class and institutional injustice can still feel so tender. . The fullness of the characters and their intersecting lives make this far more than a murder mystery . . . Ahmad's compassion, her deep care for the psychological and emotional nuances of her characters, never wavers . . . It extends through generations and transformations of place, all the way to a devastating final chapter, fully human, fully engaged with what makes us human -- Omar El Akkad * New York Times Book Review *
A stunning debut novel - a noir-inspired thriller that weaves in politics, family ties, corruption and murder, while also being sharp about different kinds of power, particularly as it relates to women. -- Kamila Shamsie, Best Summer Books * Observer *
A layered, fascinating portrait of a fractured family and of Pakistan. An impressive, gripping debut -- Antonia Senior * The Times *
The Return of Faraz Ali heralds the arrival of a strikingly accomplished and mature talent. Aamina Ahmad has managed to meld fast-paced, intelligent noir with a devastating portrait of the true costs of ambition and desire. A gripping read that does not let you go, even after the end. -- Maaza Mengiste
A rich and deeply moving novel about confronting histories both personal and political . . . Marvellous -- Yaa Gyasi
In The Return of Faraz Ali, Aamina Ahmad moves across borders and through decades to create a mesmerizing portrayal of crimes and coverups in the walled-off world of Lahore's red-light district. That a novel so epic in scope can remain so intimate at heart is nothing short of astonishing. -- Anthony Marra
A gripping read - everything beautifully evoked, from the alleys of the Old City to the atmosphere of corruption and secrets -- Kamila Shamsie
This novel has everything a reader could ask for: a sizzling, noirlike plot; political intrigue juxtaposed with a rich intergenerational family saga; capacious, conflicted characters, including women who may be marginalized by society but are masters of their own narratives; and sublime sentences. A debut novelist, Ahmad manages this complexity seamlessly. A feat of storytelling not to be missed. * Kirkus *
A riveting exploration of the dangers of patriarchy, politics and power. * Monocle *
Extraordinarily accomplished . . . . This is a great novel, rich in setting, shocking in its depiction of brute, inexorable power, but unexpectedly sweet in conclusion. * The Washington Post *
The Return of Faraz Ali is a masterpiece. An intricately woven, deeply affecting labyrinth of history, hope, and longing that fulfils its every great ambition. I'm stunned by the gentle grace and spellbinding storytelling of Aamina, a writer I will return to for years to come. * Fatima Farheen Mirza *
It starts out as a crime novel . . . and then evolves into so much more . . . come for the evocative writing, the subtle characters, and plot - some of which veered in completely unexpected territory. * NPR *
Dark and compelling, this debut novel is one of secrets, murder and loyalty. It's one that will stay with you. * Ms Magazine *
A stunning debut novel - a noir-inspired thriller that weaves in politics, family ties, corruption and murder, while also being sharp about different kinds of power, particularly as it relates to women. -- Kamila Shamsie, Best Summer Books * Observer *
A layered, fascinating portrait of a fractured family and of Pakistan. An impressive, gripping debut -- Antonia Senior * The Times *
The Return of Faraz Ali heralds the arrival of a strikingly accomplished and mature talent. Aamina Ahmad has managed to meld fast-paced, intelligent noir with a devastating portrait of the true costs of ambition and desire. A gripping read that does not let you go, even after the end. -- Maaza Mengiste
Aamina Ahmad has done the impossible: made her literary debut with an enduring classic. Essential and compelling.
-- Adam JohnsonA rich and deeply moving novel about confronting histories both personal and political . . . Marvellous -- Yaa Gyasi
In The Return of Faraz Ali, Aamina Ahmad moves across borders and through decades to create a mesmerizing portrayal of crimes and coverups in the walled-off world of Lahore's red-light district. That a novel so epic in scope can remain so intimate at heart is nothing short of astonishing. -- Anthony Marra
A gripping read - everything beautifully evoked, from the alleys of the Old City to the atmosphere of corruption and secrets -- Kamila Shamsie
This novel has everything a reader could ask for: a sizzling, noirlike plot; political intrigue juxtaposed with a rich intergenerational family saga; capacious, conflicted characters, including women who may be marginalized by society but are masters of their own narratives; and sublime sentences. A debut novelist, Ahmad manages this complexity seamlessly. A feat of storytelling not to be missed. * Kirkus *
A riveting exploration of the dangers of patriarchy, politics and power. * Monocle *
Extraordinarily accomplished . . . . This is a great novel, rich in setting, shocking in its depiction of brute, inexorable power, but unexpectedly sweet in conclusion. * The Washington Post *
The Return of Faraz Ali is a masterpiece. An intricately woven, deeply affecting labyrinth of history, hope, and longing that fulfils its every great ambition. I'm stunned by the gentle grace and spellbinding storytelling of Aamina, a writer I will return to for years to come. * Fatima Farheen Mirza *
It starts out as a crime novel . . . and then evolves into so much more . . . come for the evocative writing, the subtle characters, and plot - some of which veered in completely unexpected territory. * NPR *
Dark and compelling, this debut novel is one of secrets, murder and loyalty. It's one that will stay with you. * Ms Magazine *
Aamina Ahmad was born and raised in London, where she worked for BBC Drama and other independent television companies as a script editor. Her play The Dishonoured was produced by Kali Theatre Company in 2016.
She has an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and is a recipient of a Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University, a Pushcart Prize and a Rona Jaffe Writers Award. Her short fiction has appeared in journals including One Story, the Southern Review and Ecotone. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781529356038 |
| ISBN 10 | 1529356032 |
| Title | The Return of Faraz Ali |
| Author | Aamina Ahmad |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Hodder & Stoughton |
| Year published | 2023-02-02 |
| Number of pages | 352 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |