The Book of Gold Leaves by Mirza Waheed

The Book of Gold Leaves

Mirza Waheed

Playing out against the growing tensions in Kashmir is the story of Faiz and Roohi; one of love and longing in a troubled time. Revealing itself to you through many layers and a cast of characters, moving fluidly between their stories, their episodes, this novel illustrates the challenge of living everyday life at a time of conflict.

Extract
People now leave the streets and the shrine to the dogs at night, no one comes out, as if their ownership, their claim, their bond with the place is severed at sunset, the city and its lovers sundered as soon as the soldier from the plains begins his nocturnal vigil. There are no lights. The area's garrulous poets and satirists, who have for centuries held their evening conclaves on the banks of the Jhelum and defied the city's ghosts, stay indoors now, not just when it's dark but during the day as well, coming out only when it's essential, to buy bread and milk. It is said the ink in their pens has dried up.
Parallels
  • I Am China by Xiaolu Guo
  • Season of the Rainbirds by Nadeem Aslam