No Funeral for Nazia by Taha Kehar @tahakehar
Candle lit and eliche chai at hand, it’s time to go to Nazia Sami’s final get together.
I first came across this book on Neem Tree Press’s Instagram. The cover alone had me intrigued as to what this book could be about. The bold and bright imagery created by Anna Morrison beacons you to pick it up and watch the story unfold.
The cover provides insights into important segments of the book however you only realise that when you read it.
From the first page you know this mystery is going to take you into the minds of many characters. Each having dark and deep secrets. This multi-narrative perspective allows the reader to divulge into the thoughts and lives of the people surrounding Nazia.
“My Darling Noori, I know I have greatly tested your generosity and patience over these years. As I slip into the next life, I ask you for one last favour: no funeral, but rather a party. my blue diary, the one I have kept by my side all these months, has the details. All my love, Nazia”
Set in Karachi, Pakistan over a span of a few days mainly concentrating on one night alone. The reader is brought into the world of 7 elites, 2 servants, a mystery guest and 1 deceased woman.
The authors writing is clean and crisp making the book an easy read. This is a positive feature as it deals with a difficult topic. As a reader you will find it hard to put the book down as you want to find out what happens next. Taha adds many urdu words in his writing which helps to make you feel part of his world as well as the world of the characters.
Even though the main concentration of the book is about death, Taha manages to talk about many societal issues surrounding the Pakistani scene – entwining his both worlds into one book.
Death as a topic is not nearly as spoken about in writing. Having a book that explores this from a South Asian perspective; featuring the rites and rituals undertaken was personally very exciting. Taha Kehar brings in the viewpoints of the deceased and the ones left behind. Therefore exploring both sides of mourning, regret and ideas of moving on from the past.
This book provides the reader with multiple layers to peel. They can dive into each character and their individual stories. These stories create a larger intertwined piece which some may reflect as Nazia’s final piece of writing.
If you would like to purchase your own copy of Taha Kehar’s No Funeral for Nazia take a look on Neem Tree Press.
I was also fortunate to get an interview with the Author himself – you can read it here.
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