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A Beautiful Lie
An extraordinarily rich debut novel, set in India in 1947 at the time of Partition. Although the backdrop is this key event in Indian history, the novel is even more far-reaching, touching on the importance of tolerance, love and family. The main character is Bilal, a boy determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With great spirit and determination, and with the help of his good friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception, even printing false pages of the local newspaper to hide the ravages of unrest from his father. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace. But that means Bilal has a very complicated relationship with the truth...
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2011
68 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Irfan Master
10 books20 followersIrfan Master is project manager of Reading the Game at the National Literacy Trust. His family is from Gujarat, India, where his debut novel is set. He lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
February 16, 2025
This book is set in India in 1947. Bilal is a young boy living with his terminally ill father. Bilal and his father are Muslims in a predominantly Hindu town. All around them and in all of India there is religious turmoil, families who have lived peacefully side by side for decades are now battling with each other. Bilal's town is changing and you can see during the course of the book the differences in people's attitudes towards each other as things gradually escalate. Stallholders and friends turn on each other, families are leaving, gangs appear and terrorise those left. A very sad time in India's history as it broke up into different parts.
Although Partition forms the backdrop to this story, the novel is even more far-reaching. It touches on the importance of tolerance, love and family. Bilal is determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With the help of his friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace but that means he has a very complicated relationship with the truth.
I loved how beautiful the relationships that Bilal has with his three friends. They are very different, but you can see the loyalty and the affection between each boy. But it's really the father and son relationship that pulled at my heartstrings. Bilal loves his father very much and you can see how proud of Bilal the father is but it was also really heart-warming to see how much Bilal's father has touched the lives of those around him and how willing they are to do a good thing for him and his son in return.
This a story that touches on the importance and morality of telling the truth and telling lies. It's a story of family and friendship set in a period of Indian history that I was only vaguely aware of. I am a very long way from this book's Youth target audience but I enjoyed it all the same. It's such a sweet and sad story, one that will stay with me for awhile.
Although Partition forms the backdrop to this story, the novel is even more far-reaching. It touches on the importance of tolerance, love and family. Bilal is determined to protect his dying father from the news of Partition - news that he knows will break his father's heart. With the help of his friends, Bilal persuades others to collude with him in this deception. All that Bilal wants is for his father to die in peace but that means he has a very complicated relationship with the truth.
I loved how beautiful the relationships that Bilal has with his three friends. They are very different, but you can see the loyalty and the affection between each boy. But it's really the father and son relationship that pulled at my heartstrings. Bilal loves his father very much and you can see how proud of Bilal the father is but it was also really heart-warming to see how much Bilal's father has touched the lives of those around him and how willing they are to do a good thing for him and his son in return.
This a story that touches on the importance and morality of telling the truth and telling lies. It's a story of family and friendship set in a period of Indian history that I was only vaguely aware of. I am a very long way from this book's Youth target audience but I enjoyed it all the same. It's such a sweet and sad story, one that will stay with me for awhile.
March 1, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. I'd seen other book bloggers review A Beautiful Lie previously and everyone had lovely thing to say about it, but until I read it, I didn't fully understand. It's such a sweet and sad story, one that will stay with me for awhile.
Bilal is a young boy, living in India with his father. All around him, in his village and in all of India there has been trouble with the news of the upcoming Partition. I was only vaguely aware of what Partition was and what had happened before this book. It seems there was much more turmoil between the major religions in India around the time of Independence than I realised. Bilal's village is changing and you can see during the course of the book the differences in people's attitudes towards each other as things begin to escalate. Stallholders and friends turn on each other, families are leaving, troublemakers and gangs appear and terrorise those left. It seems to be a very sad time in India's history, with the break-up on India into different parts.
Bilal knows that the information of Partition will break his father's heart and it seems particularly important to keep the news from his father as his father is dying. Without too much time left, Bilal tells his major, life-changing lie. He decides to keep news of India's troubles from his father and enlists the help of his friends and other villagers in order to hide the truth. While Bilal goes to greath lengths in order to protect his family, his village and his life are shaken in other ways. What I loved most about A Beautiful Lie is how beautiful the relationships are. The relationships that Bilal has with his three friends and very different, but you can see the loyalty and the affection between each boy. The four boys together are quite sweet, getting into mischief and working as a team to accomplish their goal. I love books with such strong friendships.
But it's really the father and son relationship that pulled at my heartstrings so much. Bilal loves his father very much and you can see how proud of Bilal the father is. As it gets nearer toward the inevitable death of Bilal's father, we are able to see just how much the two really care for each other. It's enough to make anyone cry. Despite the country's wavering stability in the time of Partition, there is always that hope that shines through in the form of Bilal, his friends and those around him who do their best to give one ordinary man peace before the end. It was really heartwarming to see how much Bilal's father has touched those of the villagers around him and how ready they are to do a good thing for him and his son in return. It's a beautiful book this one. One I'm so happy to have read.
It's a story that touches on the importance and morality of telling the truth and telling lies. It's a story of family and friendship set in a period of time in India that I wasn't very aware of, and Bilal and his friends really ran away with my heart. Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for sending me this book for review.
Bilal is a young boy, living in India with his father. All around him, in his village and in all of India there has been trouble with the news of the upcoming Partition. I was only vaguely aware of what Partition was and what had happened before this book. It seems there was much more turmoil between the major religions in India around the time of Independence than I realised. Bilal's village is changing and you can see during the course of the book the differences in people's attitudes towards each other as things begin to escalate. Stallholders and friends turn on each other, families are leaving, troublemakers and gangs appear and terrorise those left. It seems to be a very sad time in India's history, with the break-up on India into different parts.
Bilal knows that the information of Partition will break his father's heart and it seems particularly important to keep the news from his father as his father is dying. Without too much time left, Bilal tells his major, life-changing lie. He decides to keep news of India's troubles from his father and enlists the help of his friends and other villagers in order to hide the truth. While Bilal goes to greath lengths in order to protect his family, his village and his life are shaken in other ways. What I loved most about A Beautiful Lie is how beautiful the relationships are. The relationships that Bilal has with his three friends and very different, but you can see the loyalty and the affection between each boy. The four boys together are quite sweet, getting into mischief and working as a team to accomplish their goal. I love books with such strong friendships.
But it's really the father and son relationship that pulled at my heartstrings so much. Bilal loves his father very much and you can see how proud of Bilal the father is. As it gets nearer toward the inevitable death of Bilal's father, we are able to see just how much the two really care for each other. It's enough to make anyone cry. Despite the country's wavering stability in the time of Partition, there is always that hope that shines through in the form of Bilal, his friends and those around him who do their best to give one ordinary man peace before the end. It was really heartwarming to see how much Bilal's father has touched those of the villagers around him and how ready they are to do a good thing for him and his son in return. It's a beautiful book this one. One I'm so happy to have read.
It's a story that touches on the importance and morality of telling the truth and telling lies. It's a story of family and friendship set in a period of time in India that I wasn't very aware of, and Bilal and his friends really ran away with my heart. Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for sending me this book for review.
December 3, 2020
"Everyone lies."
― Irfan Master, A Beautiful Lie
I am absolutely stunned by this story!
Bilal's father is dying as India is hurtling toward partition.
He co-opts his 3 friends -- Saleem, Chota and Manjeet -- to help him keep this terrible news from his father and to help him keep his secret from the other adults.
"The soul of India can't be decided by a few men gathered around a map clucking like chickens about who deserves the largest pile of feed. They can talk all they want -- until the end of time, for all I care -- but Mother India will set them straight Look at your friends, Bilal. Do they care that we're Muslims? We've sat and eaten with Chota's family on many occasions. Are we supposed to hate them because they're Hindus? Take Manjeet -- I've know his family since before you were born. I was at Manjeet's father's wedding. They're Sikh, yet we share very similar ancestry and have many things in common. We'll always have differences but our similarities will keep us together. India will never be broken, never be split. Do they think this hasn't happened before? That we haven't been to the brink before? Do they believe India is made of clay and can be shaped according to their petty ambitions? We've suffered this before and will again, but those men -- those villains and these visiting British -- will never break the back of India. Not in my lifetime, son, not in mine." (Bapuji)
― Irfan Master, A Beautiful Lie
I am absolutely stunned by this story!
Bilal's father is dying as India is hurtling toward partition.
He co-opts his 3 friends -- Saleem, Chota and Manjeet -- to help him keep this terrible news from his father and to help him keep his secret from the other adults.
"The soul of India can't be decided by a few men gathered around a map clucking like chickens about who deserves the largest pile of feed. They can talk all they want -- until the end of time, for all I care -- but Mother India will set them straight Look at your friends, Bilal. Do they care that we're Muslims? We've sat and eaten with Chota's family on many occasions. Are we supposed to hate them because they're Hindus? Take Manjeet -- I've know his family since before you were born. I was at Manjeet's father's wedding. They're Sikh, yet we share very similar ancestry and have many things in common. We'll always have differences but our similarities will keep us together. India will never be broken, never be split. Do they think this hasn't happened before? That we haven't been to the brink before? Do they believe India is made of clay and can be shaped according to their petty ambitions? We've suffered this before and will again, but those men -- those villains and these visiting British -- will never break the back of India. Not in my lifetime, son, not in mine." (Bapuji)
May 27, 2013
"Sejak dulu saya pikir keberanian berarti punya nyali untuk berkata jujur. Saya pengecut, tapi tidak apa-apa. Saya tidak keberatan dianggap pengecut asalkan Bapuji bisa meninggal dalam damai." [Bilal - h. 270]
Dusta yang Indah. Seringkali kita mendengar istilah bohong putih atau white lies, bohong yang dilakukan demi kebaikan orang lain. Tapi, benarkah ada kebohongan yang dapat memberikan kebaikan? Hmmm... setiap orang berhak memberikan jawaban. Seperti halnya, Bilal yang memutuskan untuk terus berdusta kepada Bapuji-nya [read: ayahnya] yang sedang sekarat. Bilal rela melakukan apapun supaya dustanya tetap terjaga, HARUS, demi 'kedamaian' Bapuji.
Konflik di ranah India yang menyebabkan Bilal harus terus menguatkan diri bahwa apa yang dilakukannya adalah benar. Berlatar sejarah tahun 1947, di mana India sedang menuju perpecahan wilayah, permusuhan antar agama, dan kerusuhan yang mengakibatkan kematian hampir sejuta orang akibat konflik tersebut. Bilal tidak ingin, bayangan Bapuji tentang India yang damai menjadi hancur. Kakak Bilal pun tidak dapat diharapkan sejak terlibat dalam kerusuhan yang kerap menimpa antar agama. Beruntung Bilal memiliki Saleem, Chota, dan Manjeet, sahabat-sahabat yang membantu memuluskan dustanya.
".... apapun keadaannya, mereka masih tetap di sini, mendampingiku. Hatiku berbunga-bunga karena tahu bahwa mereka adalah sahabat-sahabatku." [ h. 85]
Mereka menyusun rencana supaya tidak ada orang yang datang ke rumah, terutama yang berpotensi untuk menceritakan kondisi buruk India. Tak berhenti di sana, Bilal pun harus menciptakan koran, saat Bapuji begitu merindukan membaca berita di sekitarnya. Sungguh, luar biasa melihat usaha Bilal dan sahabat-sahabatnya menjaga Bapuji, tindakan yang berani tapi dilandasi kasih sayang yang begitu besar.
Ketidakrelaannya melihat Bapuji terluka memberikan beban yang sangat menyedihkan di pundak Bilal. Seandainya cerita hanya berputar dengan usaha Bilal 'menjaga' Bapuji sudah pasti akan membuat saya sedih sekali membacanya. Beruntung, masih ada kisah persahabatan empat bocah lelaki ini yang dapat memberi senyum dan secuil 'keriangan' anak-anak, meski masing-masing ternyata menyimpan dukanya sendiri.
Saya dibuat hanyut dalam cerita yang menyimpan kesedihan, rasa miris, dan aura permusuhan, tapi membalut semangat, persahabatan, dan kasih sayang. Saya merasakan haru saat melihat bagaimana orang-orang dewasa di sekitar Bilal berusaha memahami, bahkan membantu, seorang anak yang sangat ingin melindungi Bapujinya. Penutup cerita pun mengantarkan pada sebuah renungan tentang, apakah dusta itu benar-benar indah?
June 12, 2019
Sweet friendships, thought - provoking, memorable story. We loved it and highly recommend.
January 11, 2019
I enjoyed this story about the days leading up to the partition in India.
January 26, 2021
I loved this book. It is so moving.
July 15, 2015
Bilal (13 tahun) harus menjalani masa kecilnya di masa pertikaian berlatar agama di India, pertikaian yang berujung pada pembentukan dan pisahnya Pakistan dari India. Ayahnya sedang sekarat dan dia memutuskan untuk berdusta dengan bantuan teman-temannya dari berbagai agama, Saleem, Chota, dan Manjeet. Dusta itu adalah misinya dan dia harus mempertahankannya, walau nyawanya terancam di tanah pertumpahan darah umat beragama.
Karya ini patut dibaca para manusia yang mengaku beragama dan terbelenggu dalam fanatisme agama masing-masing. Tidak ada larangan bagi manusia untuk beragama, tapi jika sampai agama itu menjadi pemisah antarmanusia dan alasan saling membunuh, maka agama justru adalah bencana dan akhir bagi kemanusiaan.
***
..., “Pendidikan dan karya sastra, anakku, kita semua berhak mendapatkannya. Kalau kau memilikinya, berbagilah dengan orang lain.” (halaman 19)
Bagaimana bisa mereka berbuat begitu? Mengambil peta dan berkata, “Ini garis batasnya. Pilih di sisi mana kau hendak berdiri.” Pemisahan ini ibarat menaruh sepotong bahan kasar, lalu memipihkannya dan memotongnya semantap mungkin di tengah-tengah. Satu-satunya perbedaan adalah begitu tebasan pertama dilakukan, bahan itu tidak akan bisa utuh kembali walau dijahit dan ditambal seperti apa pun. (halaman 23-24)
“Sebuah cerita harus meresap ke dalam hatimu, biarpun cerita itu sudah lama selesai. Lalu, seperti kunci yang dimasukkan ke dalam lubangnya, pintu pun terbuka dan semua yang pernah kaupelajari ada di hadapanmu.” (halaman 54)
“... . Kami semua pendusta-pendusta yang lihai. Aku juga pendusta, tetapi aku bukanlah satu-satunya.” (halaman 131)
“... . Barangkali dusta-dusta yang diucapkan keras-keras hanya melayang pergi seperti daun-daun yang tertiup angin, tetapi dusta-dusta yang dituliskan jadi mencatat kebohongan kita. Dusta kita yang indah ini.” (halaman 201)
“... . Dusta ini menjadi nerakamu, sama seperti kebenaran di luar sana menjadi nerakaku.” (halaman 244)
Karya ini patut dibaca para manusia yang mengaku beragama dan terbelenggu dalam fanatisme agama masing-masing. Tidak ada larangan bagi manusia untuk beragama, tapi jika sampai agama itu menjadi pemisah antarmanusia dan alasan saling membunuh, maka agama justru adalah bencana dan akhir bagi kemanusiaan.
***
..., “Pendidikan dan karya sastra, anakku, kita semua berhak mendapatkannya. Kalau kau memilikinya, berbagilah dengan orang lain.” (halaman 19)
Bagaimana bisa mereka berbuat begitu? Mengambil peta dan berkata, “Ini garis batasnya. Pilih di sisi mana kau hendak berdiri.” Pemisahan ini ibarat menaruh sepotong bahan kasar, lalu memipihkannya dan memotongnya semantap mungkin di tengah-tengah. Satu-satunya perbedaan adalah begitu tebasan pertama dilakukan, bahan itu tidak akan bisa utuh kembali walau dijahit dan ditambal seperti apa pun. (halaman 23-24)
“Sebuah cerita harus meresap ke dalam hatimu, biarpun cerita itu sudah lama selesai. Lalu, seperti kunci yang dimasukkan ke dalam lubangnya, pintu pun terbuka dan semua yang pernah kaupelajari ada di hadapanmu.” (halaman 54)
“... . Kami semua pendusta-pendusta yang lihai. Aku juga pendusta, tetapi aku bukanlah satu-satunya.” (halaman 131)
“... . Barangkali dusta-dusta yang diucapkan keras-keras hanya melayang pergi seperti daun-daun yang tertiup angin, tetapi dusta-dusta yang dituliskan jadi mencatat kebohongan kita. Dusta kita yang indah ini.” (halaman 201)
“... . Dusta ini menjadi nerakamu, sama seperti kebenaran di luar sana menjadi nerakaku.” (halaman 244)
May 10, 2014
3.5/5 stars
A Beautiful Lie is written for a younger audience than I anticipated but I like the idea of this book for a middle grade reader. It's set in the days leading up to the Partition in India. I've always found India fascinating (the colors, the food!) but frankly aside from all the classic children books that use it as a backdrop, I know nothing about it. (I.E. Little Princess, Secret Garden).
In the waning days of Bilal's father's life, India is quickly unravelling. A muslim who grew up in a multicultural, multinational trading village, MC's father loves India as it is. He refuses to believe that India will ever change.
But it's changing, rapidly, and his son wants to protect him from that knowledge. Along with a group of his friends, he tries to protect his father from the truth. They create an eleborate system of steering visitors away to keep the lie going. The longer he lies, the easier it becomes to Bilal. He's feels guilty for lying to his father and everyone else, but can't bear to let his father know that India is faltering.
The story is a sad sweet story about a boy who is losing his father and his home. The love between father and son is so central despite the rarity of that you actually see the father. This is also a story about friendship, between Bilal and his friends, all different but all united in this project.
At times the book drags, there are some confusing sections and it feels quite young. Yet I enjoyed reading it. It's a small sliver of life as it's effected by the greater portion of history.
A Beautiful Lie is written for a younger audience than I anticipated but I like the idea of this book for a middle grade reader. It's set in the days leading up to the Partition in India. I've always found India fascinating (the colors, the food!) but frankly aside from all the classic children books that use it as a backdrop, I know nothing about it. (I.E. Little Princess, Secret Garden).
In the waning days of Bilal's father's life, India is quickly unravelling. A muslim who grew up in a multicultural, multinational trading village, MC's father loves India as it is. He refuses to believe that India will ever change.
But it's changing, rapidly, and his son wants to protect him from that knowledge. Along with a group of his friends, he tries to protect his father from the truth. They create an eleborate system of steering visitors away to keep the lie going. The longer he lies, the easier it becomes to Bilal. He's feels guilty for lying to his father and everyone else, but can't bear to let his father know that India is faltering.
The story is a sad sweet story about a boy who is losing his father and his home. The love between father and son is so central despite the rarity of that you actually see the father. This is also a story about friendship, between Bilal and his friends, all different but all united in this project.
At times the book drags, there are some confusing sections and it feels quite young. Yet I enjoyed reading it. It's a small sliver of life as it's effected by the greater portion of history.
November 22, 2014
This was a wonderful book. The story is told by a young boy, Bilal, just prior to the Partition in India in 1947 when the country is in upheaval. Bilal's beloved father is dying from cancer, and Bilal makes the difficult decision to keep the news of the Partition from his father during his last days; hence the "beautiful lie." The writing is beautiful. I really loved it.
March 15, 2023
"Everybody lies. We all do it. Sometimes we lie because it makes us feel better and sometimes we lie because it makes others feel better....On August 14, 1947, I learned that everybody lies, but that not all lies are equal..."
Bilal's Bapuji is dying, he does not have much longer to live. In an effort to protect his only parent, Bilal decides to keep the truth from his father, to spare him the pain of knowing that his Bapuji's beloved India is dividing into three separate countries: India, Pakistan, and East Pakistan (Bangladesh). India was fracturing due India's various religious beliefs.
"Bilal, soon it's not going to be safe for you here. You have to be careful and get the old man out. Sides are being picked as we speak and sooner or later lines will be drawn. We'll all be forced to pick a side. Can you understand that? We are Muslims, they are Hindus, and Sikhs. We might share the same space, buy the same food, and talk the same language but...we're not the same."
On August 14, 1947 partition occurred with the Dominion of Pakistan and remaining smaller India would gain its independence as a country. To this day, Pakistan is a mostly Muslim country, with India composed of other religions, mainly Hindus and Sikhs. The riots that preceded the partition had as many as 2,000,000 casualties from the warring religious groups of Indian Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims each ruthlessly and sadly killing each other.
"14 million Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims were displaced during partition; it was the largest migration in human history." ~ Wikipedia
This youth novel is a powerful description of the tumultuous and defining period of India's history. Bilal's voice rang true, his first-person-perspective raised many thought provoking questions on morality, racism, discrimination, otherness, acceptance, true friendship, truth and justice. What a beautiful, moving story. My son said this book would stick with him for a long time, and for that is a sign of a good story, one that stays with you and shapes your thoughts, builds empathy and reminds you of the past and carries you into the future.
"A story has to settle on you long after the teller has finished. Then, as if a key has been turned in a lock, the door is opened and all that you've learned is before you."
Bilal's Bapuji is dying, he does not have much longer to live. In an effort to protect his only parent, Bilal decides to keep the truth from his father, to spare him the pain of knowing that his Bapuji's beloved India is dividing into three separate countries: India, Pakistan, and East Pakistan (Bangladesh). India was fracturing due India's various religious beliefs.
"Bilal, soon it's not going to be safe for you here. You have to be careful and get the old man out. Sides are being picked as we speak and sooner or later lines will be drawn. We'll all be forced to pick a side. Can you understand that? We are Muslims, they are Hindus, and Sikhs. We might share the same space, buy the same food, and talk the same language but...we're not the same."
On August 14, 1947 partition occurred with the Dominion of Pakistan and remaining smaller India would gain its independence as a country. To this day, Pakistan is a mostly Muslim country, with India composed of other religions, mainly Hindus and Sikhs. The riots that preceded the partition had as many as 2,000,000 casualties from the warring religious groups of Indian Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims each ruthlessly and sadly killing each other.
"14 million Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims were displaced during partition; it was the largest migration in human history." ~ Wikipedia
This youth novel is a powerful description of the tumultuous and defining period of India's history. Bilal's voice rang true, his first-person-perspective raised many thought provoking questions on morality, racism, discrimination, otherness, acceptance, true friendship, truth and justice. What a beautiful, moving story. My son said this book would stick with him for a long time, and for that is a sign of a good story, one that stays with you and shapes your thoughts, builds empathy and reminds you of the past and carries you into the future.
"A story has to settle on you long after the teller has finished. Then, as if a key has been turned in a lock, the door is opened and all that you've learned is before you."
February 24, 2020
A Beautiful Lie wasn't my favorite book. The book didn't make sense to me(I am an 11 year old, and I had to read it for school 😞). I know some people love sad stories, but when Bapuji dies, it is just too sad. I didn't really like A Beautiful Lie. I didn't even know what partition was until my dad told me, the book was TERRIBLE!!!!!😡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2019
i cried at the end. a lot. 😢😢
May 25, 2019
this was a good book, about a time in history I wasn't really familiar with?
writing style was really good, story was not bad
one I will vaguely remember for a long time
writing style was really good, story was not bad
one I will vaguely remember for a long time
January 31, 2019
A beautiful story about a boy named Bilal and the lie he chooses to live with to protect his dying father from the partition of India. Set in June of 1947, India is about to gain independence from Britain and is on the brink of a divide between two religions - Hinduism and Muslim. This divide created the majority of Muslims to flock to a newly independent country, Pakistan, while people who practiced Hinduism stayed in India.
Bilal, his friends, and a few other important characters stick together and remain loyal to each other throughout the danger and violence that they are faced with. This story provides windows for readers as Bilal lives a completely different life, yet is relatable with friendship and relationships with his family.
This was a page turner that left me on the edge of my seat and had an emotional ending!
I found this text through the Database of Award Winning Children's Literature. It was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award 2012. It is also found through the CCBC.
Bilal, his friends, and a few other important characters stick together and remain loyal to each other throughout the danger and violence that they are faced with. This story provides windows for readers as Bilal lives a completely different life, yet is relatable with friendship and relationships with his family.
This was a page turner that left me on the edge of my seat and had an emotional ending!
I found this text through the Database of Award Winning Children's Literature. It was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award 2012. It is also found through the CCBC.
March 16, 2024
“A Beautiful Lie” is a beautiful book about Bilal, a boy determined to protect his dying father from the reality of India’s partition. The sacrifices Bilal makes for his father tell us how much love he has for him and his bravery. Bilal is only a young boy in school who misses his mother, but he tells a lie to his father and even makes a fake newspaper for him to let his father know that he lived and will die in a peaceful, united India. This book taught me a lot about India during 1947, near the time of partition. The tensions between Hindus and Muslims were getting high, and there were fights and arguments between many people. Despite their dangerous situation, with the help of his three friends, Bilal worked hard to stop anyone from coming to his house to visit his father just to keep the truth away from him. Overall, this is a moving book that conveys the strong bond of family and friendship even during hard times.
April 27, 2012
This easily accessible story's main character is Bilal and along with his three friends, Manjeet, Saleem, and Chota, are dealing with uprisings in India in 1947, when India was on the verge of independence. Bilal is Muslim and many disturbances, getting closer to their area, are directed at Muslims, separating them from the Hindu and Sikh's. The beautiful lie that Bilal is telling is to his dying father, who is now homebound, but craves news from the outside. Bilal wants so much to protect his father before his death. While many students wouldn't understand the tremendous pressure Bilal has to care for his father (his mother has since passed) and the guilt he feels in keeping this secret.
Yet, even I question the amount of guilt because as the story begins picking up, he begins flapping his gums to the Doctor, his teacher, and a few others. And because the lie didn't build and grow, I began to wonder why this lie was so big if he was so free to give it up? It's a matter of technique and writing, rather than understanding. Perhaps more background about the fight, maybe more about Bilal's older brother's hand in the revolution might shed more light?
It does have an emotional ending as the epilogue shows Bilal years in the future discussing the revolution when the Doctor's grandson shares with Bilal a letter that Bilal's father wrote to him before his death telling him he was proud of him and that he knew about the revolution but respected his son's desire to keep him calm.
One of the most powerful scenes is immediately after the father's death when revolutionists set their home on fire and the stacks of books go up in flames--
Yet, even I question the amount of guilt because as the story begins picking up, he begins flapping his gums to the Doctor, his teacher, and a few others. And because the lie didn't build and grow, I began to wonder why this lie was so big if he was so free to give it up? It's a matter of technique and writing, rather than understanding. Perhaps more background about the fight, maybe more about Bilal's older brother's hand in the revolution might shed more light?
It does have an emotional ending as the epilogue shows Bilal years in the future discussing the revolution when the Doctor's grandson shares with Bilal a letter that Bilal's father wrote to him before his death telling him he was proud of him and that he knew about the revolution but respected his son's desire to keep him calm.
One of the most powerful scenes is immediately after the father's death when revolutionists set their home on fire and the stacks of books go up in flames--
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2017
Dusta membawa seorang pada petaka. Kebenaran membawa orang pada petaka pula. Dalam kondisi ini, terdapat penengah sebagai netralisir. yakni Keter-kadangan.
.
Terkadang dusta mendatangkan beruntung. Terkadang kebenaran pun mendatangkan beruntung. Katanya, itulah hidup.
Setiap orang berdusta. Setiap orang melakukan kebenaran dan pembenaran. Pun dengan dusta.
.
Kisah ini tentang dusta Bilal terhadap kebenaran. Dusta yang dilakukan untuk memperpanjang hidup Bapuji-nya karena penyakit yang diderita. Biarlah. Bilal sembunyikan kebenaran. Biarlah. Bapuji takan pernah tahu kebenaran. Hingga ketika ia tiada, kedamaianlah yang dia dapat. damai karena tak mengetahui kebenaran. Dusta yang indah.
.
Tentang Bilal dan Bapujinya.
.
Terkadang dusta mendatangkan beruntung. Terkadang kebenaran pun mendatangkan beruntung. Katanya, itulah hidup.
Setiap orang berdusta. Setiap orang melakukan kebenaran dan pembenaran. Pun dengan dusta.
.
Kisah ini tentang dusta Bilal terhadap kebenaran. Dusta yang dilakukan untuk memperpanjang hidup Bapuji-nya karena penyakit yang diderita. Biarlah. Bilal sembunyikan kebenaran. Biarlah. Bapuji takan pernah tahu kebenaran. Hingga ketika ia tiada, kedamaianlah yang dia dapat. damai karena tak mengetahui kebenaran. Dusta yang indah.
.
Tentang Bilal dan Bapujinya.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2013
Ini buku ketiga seputar kisah pemisahan India dan Pakistan yang saya baca. Entah sejak kapan hal2 tentang topik ini tak bisa mencegah saya untuk terus terpaku, meski peristiwanya telah lebih enam puluh tahun berlalu
Boleh juga pengalaman membaca kali ini terasa Kontekstual sekali, karena saat ini saya sedang menghadapi posisi untuk melakukan "dusta". Sebuah kondisi yang bisa disikapi dengan kepala tegak: "Tidak bersedia."
Habis perkara. Karena sebuah dusta tetap saja dusta. Seindah apa pun, seputih apa pun.
Andai bisa sesederhana itu.
Boleh juga pengalaman membaca kali ini terasa Kontekstual sekali, karena saat ini saya sedang menghadapi posisi untuk melakukan "dusta". Sebuah kondisi yang bisa disikapi dengan kepala tegak: "Tidak bersedia."
Habis perkara. Karena sebuah dusta tetap saja dusta. Seindah apa pun, seputih apa pun.
Andai bisa sesederhana itu.
February 3, 2020
This book was really good. I need to do some more research on the partition because I had never known anything about it. I can't believe that India changed like that almost overnight. Bilal is such a strong character. I think that the author did a great job of portraying the emotions of the characters especially Bilal. I'm not going to spoil anything but I loved how the epilogue concluded the story.
February 28, 2016
A beautiful lie because the main character told the lie so well. It explains how sometimes a lie can be for the good of others but then again it can drastic effects. This is a great book even though it would not be my normal choice of books.
April 22, 2014
sukses bikin nangis!!!
jadi penasaran dengan karya irfan master yang lainnya.
jadi penasaran dengan karya irfan master yang lainnya.
March 10, 2016
This book is beautiful yet poignant. It's a tear jerking. For some reasons I forgot that our character was still 13 years old. I'm losing words to described it....
April 19, 2017
Lots of description and emotion, worth a read.
March 27, 2025
Good read!
July 26, 2019
“Education and literature, my boy, we are all deserving of that. If you have it, you must not deprive others of it.” (Pg. 13)
What an unexpectedly beautiful story about a young boy Bilal and his father in 1940s India where the entire country is at the beginnings of civil religious war and Partition and all Bilal wants to do is bring back his deceased mother and keep his father alive..You enter the story with the compassionate, brilliant and strong Bapuji who is raising his son Bilal alone..Bapuji, ah loves loves to read and had some amazing literature quotes—
“Nobody would swap books. Believe me, I tried, but the usual answer was, “I can eat books, can I?” It amazed Bapuji that people couldn’t comprehend that letters, words, and books, made you richer than you could ever imagine. (Pg. 13)
Bapuji read lots of books and told stories to entertain and get by after the passing of his wife and Bilal’s mom-and then he gets sick with what sounds like cancer or some other slow debilitating weakening disease and Bilal is determined to make his passing peaceful and prolonged so that means no news of India’s future..Bapuji is a huge proponent of India’s past and the way it was ruled and ordered before the times of unrest and the Muslims, Sikhs and other caused discourse over their differences—and so Bilal conspires to make that world a reality for him until his last days and so begins his beautiful lie..
“If you tell a lie long enough, it becomes real. Then the lie no longer exists and all you’re left with is your version of the truth.” (Pg. 213)
This book, despite long scenes of cricket, falling down a cliff, cockfighting and mob riot in the market this was a really good book..I am so glad I read it as its not something I ever would but can now recommend to others…India is such a beautiful country and this book highlighted its strength and religious diversity and I look forward to learning more..
What an unexpectedly beautiful story about a young boy Bilal and his father in 1940s India where the entire country is at the beginnings of civil religious war and Partition and all Bilal wants to do is bring back his deceased mother and keep his father alive..You enter the story with the compassionate, brilliant and strong Bapuji who is raising his son Bilal alone..Bapuji, ah loves loves to read and had some amazing literature quotes—
“Nobody would swap books. Believe me, I tried, but the usual answer was, “I can eat books, can I?” It amazed Bapuji that people couldn’t comprehend that letters, words, and books, made you richer than you could ever imagine. (Pg. 13)
Bapuji read lots of books and told stories to entertain and get by after the passing of his wife and Bilal’s mom-and then he gets sick with what sounds like cancer or some other slow debilitating weakening disease and Bilal is determined to make his passing peaceful and prolonged so that means no news of India’s future..Bapuji is a huge proponent of India’s past and the way it was ruled and ordered before the times of unrest and the Muslims, Sikhs and other caused discourse over their differences—and so Bilal conspires to make that world a reality for him until his last days and so begins his beautiful lie..
“If you tell a lie long enough, it becomes real. Then the lie no longer exists and all you’re left with is your version of the truth.” (Pg. 213)
This book, despite long scenes of cricket, falling down a cliff, cockfighting and mob riot in the market this was a really good book..I am so glad I read it as its not something I ever would but can now recommend to others…India is such a beautiful country and this book highlighted its strength and religious diversity and I look forward to learning more..
November 23, 2018
Set in post-war India, this incredibly warm and realistic middle-grade tale is about a young boy called Bilal. He lives in a small market town - at the time when sectarian violence is erupting between Muslims, Sikhs and Christians – and is nursing his sick father (or “Bapuji”) who is dying from cancer.
Irfan Master’s story is beautifully accessible, a real page-turner and addresses some of the really horrific realities of what people experienced during post-Colonial rule and the subsequent partitioning of India. People’s lives and families were torn apart, and we feel this tension through A Beautiful Lie as background noise that – every now and then – invades the main narrative of the book.
And the main narrative is a simple one: Bilal is determined that his dying father will not know the terrible truth about his beloved India being broken into pieces. He wants his father to die believing everything is still alright. And the boy goes out of his way to recruit half the town (and his close set of friends) to join him in this both sad and happy charade.
There are fun, action-packed moments as well as really touching ones between Bilal and his father...but be warned, there are also some really quite nasty ones too. This book is most definitely upper middle-grade because some of the racist violence it addresses can be almost adult in theme. However, it is never full-on disturbing, it’s just not shy at telling it like it was.
And, for that, and many other reasons, that’s why this book is very special - magical even – to read. Highly recommend this one!
Irfan Master’s story is beautifully accessible, a real page-turner and addresses some of the really horrific realities of what people experienced during post-Colonial rule and the subsequent partitioning of India. People’s lives and families were torn apart, and we feel this tension through A Beautiful Lie as background noise that – every now and then – invades the main narrative of the book.
And the main narrative is a simple one: Bilal is determined that his dying father will not know the terrible truth about his beloved India being broken into pieces. He wants his father to die believing everything is still alright. And the boy goes out of his way to recruit half the town (and his close set of friends) to join him in this both sad and happy charade.
There are fun, action-packed moments as well as really touching ones between Bilal and his father...but be warned, there are also some really quite nasty ones too. This book is most definitely upper middle-grade because some of the racist violence it addresses can be almost adult in theme. However, it is never full-on disturbing, it’s just not shy at telling it like it was.
And, for that, and many other reasons, that’s why this book is very special - magical even – to read. Highly recommend this one!
April 5, 2024
Goodbye Lenin for a younger audience. With important history.
A sad and sometimes scary tale, set at the very moment India splinters with Partition imminent in 1947, an important moment in world history.
One boy is both aware of what's going on around him but also fixed on his family - his father is dying. Bilal is 13 and decides that he will protect his much-loved parent from the pain and horror of their beloved country and people falling apart, by pretending all is well. To do this, he will need to call on his friends and even other people in the community to maintain their facade.
It's a touching proposition, and I enjoyed watching Bilal engage his elders and father's friends in his 'deceit', as well as watching his internal struggles.
A lot of the story also shows the effects on someone like Bilal - a boy with friends both Hindu and Muslim, a brother of someone engaged in the politics - making him a target, an observer watching his life and country fall apart and change around him.
There are some moments of violence/tension that do feel threatening. The history though is an important era for students and readers to be aware of, for the effect it's had ever since, the reverberations and similar experiences around the world.
Goodbye Lenin did this on film, with more comedy for European history. But for teen readers, this brings home the lived experience of a young person like them for whom 'home' and indeed family will never be the same again.
A well-read audiobook, smoothly portraying Bilal and his community.
For ages 11 and above.
A sad and sometimes scary tale, set at the very moment India splinters with Partition imminent in 1947, an important moment in world history.
One boy is both aware of what's going on around him but also fixed on his family - his father is dying. Bilal is 13 and decides that he will protect his much-loved parent from the pain and horror of their beloved country and people falling apart, by pretending all is well. To do this, he will need to call on his friends and even other people in the community to maintain their facade.
It's a touching proposition, and I enjoyed watching Bilal engage his elders and father's friends in his 'deceit', as well as watching his internal struggles.
A lot of the story also shows the effects on someone like Bilal - a boy with friends both Hindu and Muslim, a brother of someone engaged in the politics - making him a target, an observer watching his life and country fall apart and change around him.
There are some moments of violence/tension that do feel threatening. The history though is an important era for students and readers to be aware of, for the effect it's had ever since, the reverberations and similar experiences around the world.
Goodbye Lenin did this on film, with more comedy for European history. But for teen readers, this brings home the lived experience of a young person like them for whom 'home' and indeed family will never be the same again.
A well-read audiobook, smoothly portraying Bilal and his community.
For ages 11 and above.
May 3, 2020
A Beautiful Lie
He just wanted his father to die happy. To die while believing that everything is fine outside the bubble of his home . And he would do anything to make sure his father believe that.
Although his father shared the story of Fate, why we should still work hard even tho it is predestined how our life will go , he still thinks that he's able to not let fate take over their life.
It is truly sad that Muslims,Hindus and Sikhs in certain region in India unable to see eye to eye even though they had been living together for years. With different ideology and faith doesnt mean that we cant live together harmoniously.
'If u tell a lie long enough, it becomes real. Then the lie no longer exists and all you're left with is your version of truth'
Lie for the sake of love. For the sake of friendship. For the sake of freedom . We all lie at certain point of our life . Just bear this in mind - is it worth it?
He just wanted his father to die happy. To die while believing that everything is fine outside the bubble of his home . And he would do anything to make sure his father believe that.
Although his father shared the story of Fate, why we should still work hard even tho it is predestined how our life will go , he still thinks that he's able to not let fate take over their life.
It is truly sad that Muslims,Hindus and Sikhs in certain region in India unable to see eye to eye even though they had been living together for years. With different ideology and faith doesnt mean that we cant live together harmoniously.
'If u tell a lie long enough, it becomes real. Then the lie no longer exists and all you're left with is your version of truth'
Lie for the sake of love. For the sake of friendship. For the sake of freedom . We all lie at certain point of our life . Just bear this in mind - is it worth it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2021
This is a wonderful book and one that holds great memories for me. 'A Beautiful Lie' is about the Indian Partition that occurred in 1947. It follows a young boy named Bilal who's father has a terminal illness, during this period of time talk of independence was going on, as well as the prospect of the partition occurring. Because of Bilal's father's state he did not want him to learn about the truth of India, hence the implementation of the beautiful lie. This book brings light to the sacrifices families make for their loved ones as well as unconditional love. The writing of this book was absolutely wonderful, I particularly loved the way he described the surroundings and his implementations of motifs. This is a great book for people to read if they want to learn more about Indian history.
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