Moirae

by Mehreen Ahmed

Following the stream of consciousness technique and embedded in dream allegory, Moirae depicts human predicament exploring notions of fate and religion. Set in a fantasy land, called the Lost Winds, on a planet with two moons, this story is about human oppression under a tyrannical regime which calls itself democratic. Much like our planet earth, people flee to seek protection in a place called Draviland, a long way away from the Lost Winds. Dramas pertaining to such human conditions often appear in the main character's lucid dreams which she dreams knitting in a pink honeycomb pattern. This metaphor is used to construe self-organized behavior among men, herding as they try to escape from persecution.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2013

About the author

Australian author Mehreen Ahmed is celebrated by the Midwest Book Review for her "exceptional flair for narrative storytelling and compellingly memorable characters" in her novel, "The Pacifist". The review describes the book as "deftly crafted and consistently entertaining," as well as "original, compelling, skillfully written from cover to cover," making it "very highly recommended."It is also, a Drunken Druid Editor's Choice.She has authored eleven books comprised of novels, novellas and shorts_short stories, micro/flash fictions were widely published and translated into Greek,Bangla,German and have won contests,shortlisted for Editor's Choice Awards,nominations for BestSmallFictions,5botN,2Pushcart and JamesTait.AntipodeSF Radio featured her shorts. Currently,she is the Guest Fiction Editor of Panorama:Journal for Travel,Place,and Nature,UK.

>Publications/Forthcoming
BendingGenres,Boudin:McNeeseStateUniversity,CambridgeUniversityPress,ChironReview,UniversityofHawaii Press,MichiganStateUniversityPress,PerceptionMagazine:SyracuseUniversity,StraylightMagazine:WisconsinParklandUniversity,TheTalonReview:NorthFloridaUniversity,MetachrosisLiterary:DundeeUniversity,BitterleafBooks:YSJ,PopshotQuarterly,CoffinBell,AntipodeanSF,Aphelion:Website of ScienceFictionandFantasy,Callej,UniversityofKentPress,TheSheaf,Jimson WeedUVA,UltramarineLitRev,TheBayouReview,MuseIndia,CentaurLit,HootReview,
ShortsMagazine,BlazeVOX,ArgyleLiteraryMagazine,JournalofExpressiveWriting,SixSentences,IceFloePress,LitroUK,PanoramaTheJournalofTravelPlaceandNature,MrBull,Otoliths,SoFloPoJo,
OlneyMagazine,AlternateRoute,TheGorkoGazette,PorchLitMag,WordCityLit,TheAntonym,The HennepinReview,LiteraryHeist,MadSwirl,
AlienBuddha,RogueAgent,VineLeafReview,OctoberHillMagazine,OddballMagazine,InParenthesis.artLitMagNew Modernism,ConnotationPress,DoorIsAJar,ELJ
ScissorsandSpackle,VisualVerse,FlashBoulevard,
FiveMinutes,QuateraryRealmsAnthology,ChewersandMasticadores,QuailBell,Crêpe&Penn,FlashFrontier,EllipsisZine,Ginosko#24#29#30,TheCabinetofHeed,ActiveMuse,HeroinChic,LoveInTheTime ofCovidChronicle,WellingtonStreetReview,NailpolishStories,Setu,ImpspiredMagazine,ThornLiterary,Magazine,3MoonMagazine,SageCigarettes,TheBombayReview,FlashBackFiction,DownInTheDirt,DarkWinterLiteraryMagazine,AcademyOfHeartAndMind,PikerPress,Kitaab,CommuterLit,AngelCityReview,FreeFlashFiction,CafeDissensus,ThePunch,FurtiveDalliance,InkPantry,FlashFictionNorth,BridgeHouse,CosmicTeapot and others.

Awards/Nominations/Recognitions
>Winner
DrunkenDruidEditor'sChoice2017/ThePacifist
FirstPlace_AcademyoftheHeartandMind,May FlowersContest2022/ThePhasesoftheMoon
CoWinner_WaterlooWritingCompetition May2020/Dolly
AyaskalaLiteraryMagazine2023/RainandCoffee
Cabinet-of-Heed Stream-of-ConsciousnessChallenge April2020 DrawerFour/BlackMirror
>Nominations
2Pushcart:ParadoxOfLove:CentaurLit2026,Ylem:PaperDjinn2020
BestSmallFictions,TheStretch:Boudin2025
5BestoftheNet:Interlude-LiteratiMagazine2020,Elysium:FlashFictionNorth2020,NumberNinetyFour:DecolonialPassage2024,OftheBlueEvening:GorkoGazette2025
JamesTaitBlackPrize2021,Gatherings:BridgeHousePublishing
>Finalist/Shortlist
Finalist:FourthAdelaideLiteraryAward contest,February2020/FlowerGirl/
Shortlisted:FreedomFictionJournalEditor'sChoiceAwards/Flamenco24/AroundtheBend25
>Honourable Mentions
WeaversOfWordsContestUnpublishedPlatform 2022/SilentBleat
>Bestof/MostRead/Top10
AntipodeanSF25PainttheCityRed
AntipodeanSF25Cloudfields
EthelZine24Dead-Fly
AlienBuddha23/24TheRiverofMelted Chocolate/The Scripts
TheGorkoGazette23/OftheBlueEvening ReadersFavFic
MadSwirl23/24Space/Vape/CitySmell/InStillness
ImpspiredMag/MultipleTimesTop10Read
CafeLit8Writer'sChoice2019BatsDownunder.
>Milestone Selection
AlienBuddha2023/DeepWell
>Special Collector's Edition
PopshotQuarterly 41:2023/RiverofMeltedChocolate.
>Audiobooks Best Seller/Others
ThePacifist2017
PeekingCatLiterary

Reviews

[Boyko Ovcharov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreamland!

Symbolic, dreamlike, thought-provoking - these are only few of the qualities this contemporary fiction book could boast about. The main message though is quite powerful and down-to-earth. Namely, the human struggles, hidden motives, weaknesses and aspirations hold true across various cultures, geographic locations and timeframes. Nevertheless, perhaps our personal and brave choices make the difference in our diverse lives.

[Mehreen Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed reviewed by Dr. Tony McMahon: School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

Mehreen Ahmed is a wildly interesting writer. Moirae is not the first book from the Queensland scribe that I’ve read, but it is undoubtedly the best, most mature work. This is a nebulous yet - paradoxically perhaps – razor sharp text that speaks to the reader on a number of intellectual levels. Ahmed somehow manages to blend stream of consciousness type prose with a sure knack for story telling, and the results are no less than delightful. If you think about it, this kind of mixture is one that few writers have the ability – or the audacity – to attempt. Joyce is one exception that springs to mind, but he is probably an exception that only proves the rule. Jack Kerouac maybe. Either way, with this work, it is obvious that Ahmed joins a very select group indeed. Thoroughly recommended for both its technical beauty and, not inconsiderably, its bravery.

https://cosmicteapot.net/2016/09/22/m...

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for that very different type of read, one that pulls you directly into the hearts and minds of its characters? Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed is nothing like anything I have ever read before.

In the fantasy world created by this author, a government claiming to be totally democratic in its policies proves anything but as we follow a young girl whose only hope of fleeing the stigma of poverty and persecution is to become one of the fortunate few who find a new life in a land of plenty, far away. Her family has lived under the “shame” of a well-meaning brother who has fled to save his life for a debt he incurred. Worse, he has taken to another religion, worshiping the same god, but differently. As he matures and comes into his own, we follow his life, his understanding of his place in a world whose true face is hidden behind a dark mask. We are invited to see, feel and hear each thought as if they were our own as Ms. Ahmed chooses to add another layer of reality by streaming these thoughts across the page. Think about it, are your thoughts clear, concise and written out like a report in your head or are they a constant flow that follows different paths at any given time?

A fascinating tale of humanity, hardship, betrayal and fear are woven much like a continuing honeycomb pattern the knitter is compelled to keep adding on to. Enjoyable as great reading or a search for symbolism in the author's words.

I received this copy from Mehreen Ahmed in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: December 31, 2014
Publisher: PostScript Editions
Genre: Dystopian | Fiction
Print Length: 109 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Mehreen Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Tony McMahon's review of Moirae

Mehreen Ahmed is a wildly interesting writer. Moirae is not the first book from the Queensland scribe that I’ve read, but it is undoubtedly the best, most mature work. This is a nebulous yet - paradoxically perhaps – razor sharp text that speaks to the reader on a number of intellectual levels. Ahmed somehow manages to blend stream of consciousness type prose with a sure knack for story telling, and the results are no less than delightful. If you think about it, this kind of mixture is one that few writers have the ability – or the audacity – to attempt. Joyce is one exception that springs to mind, but he is probably an exception that only proves the rule. Jack Kerouac maybe. Either way, with this work, it is obvious that Ahmed joins a very select group indeed. Thoroughly recommended for both its technical beauty and, not inconsiderably, its bravery.

Dr. Tony McMahon, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University.

[Lala_Loopsie [fire breathing B!tch Queen]]

Indeed something to read soon as possible.

[Nico Genes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece by all means!

The stream-of-consciousness style chosen for big parts of Moirae was something new to me. Nalia is an intelligent, poor village girl. At the age of 16, she married Romeo, the love of her life. Unfortunately, on the wedding night, he was arrested and her suffering starts to evolve in front of our eyes, All this time she is knitting a pink sweater. I could feel Nalia’s feelings and thoughts while she was caught in some kind of a lucid dream. While she was trapped in this strange dream phase, danger loomed ahead for her, her friends and family and yet I felt so relaxed, due to the masterly deployed stream-of-consciousness writing. All the retailed happening is sad and it really touches your heart. I felt sorry for Nalia, yet I felt her strength too. As for the other characters, in stream-of-consciousness, they are conceived in Nalia’s dream, where thoughts, voices, actions, and experiences have slipped. I must point out the many “errors” littered across the novel are meant to be, due to the writing style. Despite the fact that the action takes place in a village called Lost Winds, on a planet with two moons, it does resemble quite a lot with certain parts of our world. I would dare and say that the Lost Winds can be actually any village or smaller city in underdeveloped countries. And all the happenings may look similar to especially some current worldwide happenings. The villagers suffer from oppression, killings, and rape take place. Some people flee to a better place, Draviland, where they seek safety. While some riders may need to change their religion to be accepted, others have not. Destines are different, some are luckier, some are not. And above everything, there is love too, pure, deep, honest, overcoming barriers, pain and time.
Moirae it does urge an open mind with a thirst for a multifaceted wave of knowledge. A real masterpiece from the literary point of you but also through its deep and straightforward messages.

Type of reader: Anyone that loves literary fiction, contemporary, poetry, fantasy and interested to try new writing styles such as stream-of-consciousness.

My favorite quotes from this book:

“Tahu What a joke peace had become Joke People have forgotten about peace They craved for peace No Then why were people leaving in droves if they did not crave peace Tahu”

“Riders were not welcome here. Yet, some people’s hearts said differently, as they took to the streets for rallies and demonstrations. What crimes had the riders committed though? Being poor. Was that a crime? Were proper avenues open only to those who had clout and money? Queue jumpers, what other pathways were available for the poor?”

“They both faced each other quietly and remained looking for a long time; sipping out of the cup of joy, the tender moments of delightful love in infinite profusion.”

More book reviews on: https://www.nicojgenes.com/book-reviews

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although "Moirae" may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is however an intellectual read that may not entail what you may perceive things of this nature to be but, it does urge an open mind with a thirst for a multifaceted wave of knowledge, maybe even bordering on the philosophical or suggestive. Either way to me it's about faith in yourself not particularly just a higher power. It's about dreams and having the forethought and inner strength to make those dreams come to fruition and to be willing to go through the journey, the process of getting there despite the fact that you will struggle, which is the point of the journey, the essence of faith. Whether we want to endure that part of it or not, well that's always a question lingering in the background of our minds.

As Bishop T.D. Jakes once said, "Everybody wants to get there but, they forget to enjoy the journey." (paraphrased)

[Mehreen Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony McMahon, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

Mehreen Ahmed is a wildly interesting writer. Moirae is not the first book from the Queensland scribe that I’ve read, but it is undoubtedly the best, most mature work. This is a nebulous yet - paradoxically perhaps – razor sharp text that speaks to the reader on a number of intellectual levels. Ahmed somehow manages to blend stream of consciousness type prose with a sure knack for story telling, and the results are no less than delightful. If you think about it, this kind of mixture is one that few writers have the ability – or the audacity – to attempt. Joyce is one exception that springs to mind, but he is probably an exception that only proves the rule. Jack Kerouac maybe. Either way, with this work, it is obvious that Ahmed joins a very select group indeed. Thoroughly recommended for both its technical beauty and, not inconsiderably, its bravery.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moirae opens with the mass exodus of people from a mythical land called Lost Winds. The setting is one of brutal oppression, moral and political descent. We follow the lives of a young woman, Nalia, and her brother, MD, after they escape. After they take the harrowing sea voyage to a new land, what they experience calls into question all of their hopes for a new life, their assumptions about civilization, and humanity. An interesting story, dark and disturbing in its religious overtones and lack of regard for human life. However Moirae has sparkly moments of transcendence that show the strength of the human spirit. Sometimes lyrical and lush, sometimes dissonant and disturbing, it reads like a modern symphony. Multiple points of view and lapses into stream-of-consciousness give it the urgent, spiraling effect of a James Joyce or Jack Kerouac novel. It is not an easy read, but a scholarly audience might enjoy the literary allusions, devices, and play of language. Thank you, Mehreen Ahmed for providing a free PDF!

[Sarah Butfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great initiation into Stream of Consciousness writing!

Moirae is written in a style of writing called 'stream of consciousness' and I have never read a whole book in that style before, although I am familiar with the concept of free-writing. I did Google the meaning of the term 'stream of consciousness' to be sure that I was developing an understanding of the style and meaning and that it was inline with the intention of the author. Initially the lack of punctuation and the seemingly random capitalized letters threw me a little, although I now know this is characteristic of this writing style. That said, I did need to re-read some sections to fully appreciate the story. However, once I adapted, which was very quickly because of the captivating content, I was drawn into the vivid storytelling. The visual imagery is well executed and delivers a well crafted story set in the imaginary world created by the author. I do feel that this a book I will probably read again and it has encouraged me to experience more of this style of writing.

[Richard Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5 stars. The subject and switching writing styles reveal tragidy against the enduring human spirit.

A Most Revealing Read for a Westerner. Class struggle exists around the world, and this story picked the hardships in and around India to lift its veil. It was shockingly real, candid, and made an impression on me like looking upon another strange, populated planet.

The stream of consciousness style chosen for parts of 'Moirae' was interesting and I had never read it before. It was like sliding through the events and feelings on a water slide. I was awash in the plights and pure survivalism inside families and outside where the clash became extreme.

Mehreen doesn't pull punches. I was struck multiple times knowing of rape, human trafficking, etc. but it feels as if I have now experienced it for myself. As perturbing as it sounds, there were plenty of times where I was lifted into the light above the dark, dangerous alleys and peasant village life.

Life, that is what this book is about and does a great job transporting you into one that is not your own.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moirae, by Mehreen Ahmed, is a creative novella written in the style of "stream of consciousness" writing. Its setting is a fictitious land called the "Lost Winds." Ahmed clearly has both literary and linguistic knowledge, with descriptive prose reminiscent of other well known writers of this style (for ex: J. Joyce, W. Faulkner & V. Woolf). Yet, at times, awkward phrasing and lack of punctuation may cause readers to have trouble following the story. Themes of extreme hardship and violence are dealt with, including: natural disasters, religious persecution, political tyranny, rape and war - all of which lead to characters dealing with pain, loss and oppressive circumstances. Ahmed has created a daring, out-of-the-box piece of writing that, while both intelligent and evocative, may confuse rather than engage readers.

[Susanne Leist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little dark and disturbing at times, the story follows Nalia and her family as they attempt to escape from their hardships and religious stress. Their eyes are opened to reality, as awful as it may be, on board their voyages. They find that their lives aren't any better in the new land. They have the same problems, but in a different setting.
The story is about one's journey in life. With faith and hope, and not by fleeing, one cannot fight to overcome any hardships by using our inner strengths. A good lesson for us all.

[Neal Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just completed reading Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed,when I first began to read it I wasn't sure what to expect as this isn't a genre I would normally indulge in but the further I read the more captivated I become until I couldn't put the book down until I had read it completely. It put me on a journey through interwoven stories where dreaming and reality became one. Beauty,love, drama and tragedy danced romantically around my mind in this enchanting book and I would highly recommend it to readers of all genres.
Neal Davies Author

[Glen Hepker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such impeccable work! Please check it out.

[Belart Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Well Written and Thought Provoking Tale With a Unique Writing Style

Moirae is a story with many themes running through its narrative. There's the story of a young woman longing for her beloved, the tale of an imprisoned man longing for a better life, and the story of a woman and her child. There are also other stories present and they all connect at various points as the characters all have a connection to the village of their childhoods. Along the way each of the characters is met with the rigorous struggles of their harsh lives.

The story takes place in what I believe is a fictional place, though it at times feels real enough. The conflicts definitely have real world connotations including the rift between the two fictional religions that drives much of the story's conflict. What's strange though, is that there is mention of real world places in the story so it does share some geography and events with our world. Much of Moirae reads like a commentary on real world issues so those without much knowledge in real geography may even mistake the Dravilands as a real place.

The story is written in a unique and strange style called "stream of consciousness." Britannica.com says of the style "Stream of consciousness, narrative technique in nondramatic fiction intended to render the flow of myriad impressions—visual, auditory, physical, associative, and subliminal—that impinge on the consciousness of an individual and form part of his awareness along with the trend of his rational thoughts" I am not at all familiar with the style. Moirae is my first foray into it. There were two particular chapters near the beginning that featured no punctuation. What seemed to separate one sentence from the next was capital letters. It was confusing to say the least, but the brain is adaptable so after a while it did become easier to read. I did not find much enjoyment from this sort of thing nor did it enhance the story in any way, for me at least. It is an artistic choice though and so I respect the bold commitment to it.

Much of the content in the story was featured around this large extended family and it was a story that I enjoyed. There was a lot of food for thought when it came to the topics of poverty, immigration, religious warfare, civil strife, crime, violence against women, and quite a few other topics. I would say that Moirae is a tragedy. Throughout there is a big look at the very human condition. What does it mean to be poor in a place filled with strife and warring ideologies? What does it mean to be thought of as a second class citizen? All of this is handled in a fairly natural way and what stands out about many of these stories is the effect of hope. For even when a situation seems at its most desperate and hopeless, these people persevere to face the next challenge. There is also a strong tale about tortured motherhood and madness. It adds an almost supernatural aspect to the story. I found that to be my favorite POV of them all, though it makes the most use of the stream of consciousness style.

Now I'll express my criticisms for the story. To me, it didn't feel personal enough. I was never completely immersed in the story. The narration style felt very distant and matter of fact. It had the effect of reading like a much older book. It didn't manage to reach at anything deep inside of me to truly connect me with characters like MD, Pontu, Tahu, and Nalia. The characters and even many of the events fell flat to me because of plain narration and dialogue. I think I could've enjoyed the style more if those aspects were more engaging. I also found the timeline and POV jumping to be very distracting. Most likely it's another aspect of the stream of consciousness writing style, but I didn't much care for it. There was also some confusion on my part regarding the timeline and setting of the story. I wasn't sure if it were modern day or if it had taken place in the past. And since it was a fictional setting, I was always taken out of the story whenever a place in the real world was mentioned. I had to google Dravilands just to make sure it wasn't a real place.

Regardless, once you give the story some time, it does start to make its point and the characters did grow on me, even those introduced later. So I did have a good reading experience with Moirae. For fans of the stream of consciousness style and those interested in books about the human condition, I think this one is a good read. Try it out and let me know what you think of it in the comments below.

Was given a free copy for review.

[Glenn Conley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. It had too much politics and religion for me to give a shit. The story is supposedly set on some fantasy world, but it seems to me that this fantasy world is simply the Middle East. Because there's all the jihad shit, and Muslims, and Mohammad and Jesuits.

This story is about the battle between those religions. Where families and farms are wiped out by roving gangs of jihad thugs. Because if you don't belong to their religion, you don't deserve to live. You don't deserve to have a home and a farm. You don't deserve happiness.

One young man is framed for murder, or something. His family struggles to get enough money to get the boy out of the country. But instead, the boy takes off on a bus. He goes off to try to live his own life somewhere else. And it's always a struggle. No food. No water. No place to sleep. No pot to piss in.

His life sucks donkey balls, but he struggles on, praying to the random god of the week. Because he can't decide what he believes in. He's trying to convert to the best religion, to play with the politics, and finally get a decent job. Or maybe move further out in the country, where nobody will find him.

He finds a church that wants to help him. They give him a place to stay, and chores to do. They feed him, and wash his feet. Because apparently that's their sick fetish, or something.

Eventually, word gets to him that his family has been brutally murdered, and their farm is just an unclaimed wasteland. So yippie! He goes back home to start his life anew. But everyone knows that the thugs will be back again. They'll probably rape and pillage once more. But hey, live dangerously, right? Sure.

This entire book went on and on about how God will provide. Don't worry. I know you're starving, but God will provide. I know you're living on the streets. You're cold. You're miserable. You want to kill yourself. But don't worry, God will provide.

Fucking bullshit. God doesn't provide shit. Ever heard of free will? God helps those that help themselves. In other words, God doesn't help at all. He gave us free will, so we can fend for ourselves. He's an absentee landlord. He doesn't give a fuck about you. People die every fucking day. God doesn't care.

The characters in this book do finally realize that it's all a crock of shit. They start doing things for themselves, because it's pretty goddamn obvious that God's out to lunch or something. You can't wait forever for your God fantasy. You have to do it yourself.

Then, of course, when they finally get what they want, they thank God for providing. HE DIDN'T PROVIDE SHIT, YOU STUPID CUNTS! When will people get this through their stupid thick skulls? Probably never. Because people are stupid ass sheep.

[James Pitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The central theme of Moirae is hope. Set against a backdrop of poverty, laden with a sense of helplessness from living under an autocratic, tyrannical regime, Nalia struggles to come to terms with the loss of her newly-wed husband after he's arrested for profiteering. There follows a disturbing, yet familiar and sometimes dream-like narrative on human oppression which is cleverly woven into the lives of the characters that helps bring each of their stories to life.

Although unfamiliar with the stream of consciousness style of writing, I began to find myself feeling as though I were reading the author's unedited thoughts which gave it a strange kind of authenticity. There are some colourful and poetic descriptive passages which help provide a vivid sense of place, like 'West Mountains stood in the backdrop, with all its alluring blue haze; the clouds floated straight into its summits. Craggy and green, the stalwart peaks stood the ravages of time'.

Mehreen is clearly a deep thinker and Moirae is an ambitious book with many historical and literary references. There's some interesting nuggets of wisdom buried in the narrative, such as 'Life's journey was at odds. It could pass without fully understanding exactly what we were supposed to do here; what paths to take and what the cosmic plan of our existence meant'. Moirae, however, is not an easy read in terms of the reality of the difficult themes the book contends with. But, despite this, there is an overriding sense of hope – hope for an end to the violence and killing, hope of an end to hunger, hope to be in control of one's own destiny and the hope for love in all its forms.

For life to have any worth or meaning, there has to be hope. The following sentence towards the end of the book captures this point perfectly: 'However aspirations, dreams were some of the most powerful components that also held life from falling apart. They propelled life towards the fulfilment of a destiny'.

[Matt Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moirae was an interesting read for me, thanks in part to the stream of consciousness style in which it is written. What this means is that the book runs in a ‘free flow’ with little in the way of punctuation and a focus instead of letting the story run its course in a natural way. While it can be said that this style of writing is divisive amongst readers, one thing that you often hear is that it will put you straight into the character’s heads, perhaps even more so than conventional styles. While how much this rings true will vary from person to person, I really do recommend that you give it a try. Once you find a natural rhythm, you’ll breeze through the book with relative ease.

Now, the story itself will take you to some uncomfortable places. While set on the fictional world of ‘Lost Winds’, the book takes you through some unfortunately familiar issues such as rape, oppression and political unrest. That is not to say that the book is without uplifting moments however. After all, even in the darkness, a light can still shine. Faith also features as a strong theme throughout the story, which will no doubt resonate. In particular, the familial conflict of MD converting to a religion that worships the same God as his family, but different is something that will be familiar to many on one level or another. While the situation is different, the sheer number of different Christian denominations always comes to mind for me when reading such things: all worshipping the same God but at times viewing others with disdain for a different interpretation of the same texts.

In summary, Moirae’s style and subject matter ensure that it is not an easy read, but it is a rewarding one. Find your way through the rich world that Mehreen has created, and you’ll be glad to have given the book a shot.

A free copy was supplied by the author in return for an honest review.

[Saradia Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moirae has a fantasy land for its setting. But the inhabitants of the land and their living condition echo the plight of millions on our very own planet earth. These people are supposed to be under a democratic rule, but this idea itself is farcical. They are subject to tyranny and have little rights. The book with its unique narrative technique explores how these people are torn between their own land which maltreats them and a land of hope which does not accept them.

Having read one of Ahmed’s works previously, I was expecting the writing style to be quite astounding and it was. Stream of consciousness is one of my favorite styles of narration because it can truly express the numerous intricate thoughts and feelings going down in one’s mind. The author uses dreams and imageries to bring home to us the despicable nature of reality as faced by many people in this world. Stream of consciousness mingled with certain elements of magic realism makes Moirae an outstanding piece of literary fiction. Needless to say it is not for everybody and readership might be restricted to the more serious admirers of literature. The purpose of this book is not solely to tell a story. What is more important here is the observation and study of human tendencies, their response to unjust autocracy and desire to gravitate to an idealized land of freedom. I would call Moirae one of the finest examples of modern day literature.

[David Tanager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my first time reading a novel written in the stream of consciousness style and I have to state that Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed is leaps and bounds above others. The prose is delicate at times, poetic in others, then wildly aggressive and chaotic, yet in outstanding fashion the book flows together so smoothly, at times I had to remind myself of the technique employed in writing because everything just meshed so well together - which is quite a feat considering!

Moirae is everything you want from a good book, it takes you to into a fantasy setting, yet the world in the novel is built upon foundations of reality which pair the genres of fantasy and literary, which in my opinion is quite hard to do well, yet Mehreen succeeds splendidly. While one could attempt to draw comparisons to certain aspects of the current state of the world, I think this would be incorrect as the human condition and struggle of life that is so well described in the novel are universal and more importantly they are believable in the Lost Winds.

This is an outstanding book, and would fit ones tastes in fantasy, poetry, and literary fiction. Mehreen is a master of allegory and metaphor and a fine writer!

[Kathleen Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed is written from the point of views of exploited or marginalized persons who escape to the fantasy shores with strong reminders of the caste system in India. This world is controlled by two moons. These people might try to improve their situations but can’t. In the name of religion people are put down. Is there any hope for them? As a reader I wanted them to have power of their minds which is the first step to control one’s destiny. As an American with contrasting benefits of freedom, Moirae is an eye opener. To survive hardships people have to hide. Oppressive situations such as this have taken place all through history and this horror exists today.
Mehreen Ahmed writes in a stream of consciousness style that passes through events, making the reader aware of horrible situations people face. Written well with sharp imagery, there’s betrayal by a husband who profits with human trafficking, poverty, and danger. Is there hope for the human spirit under a caste system?

Recommended for outside-the-box readers of literary fiction.

[Ash ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very hard book to get into but I eventually did and enjoyed it quite a bit. The only reason why I rated it 3/5 is because I couldn't handle the style of writing that seemed like it hadn't been edited or had no punctuation (sorry I have no idea what it's called, I think it's called lucid writing).

It was very hard for me to read as I am an avid writer myself and very, very, very OCD which me at I couldn't really enjoy the sections that had that style of writing. In more positive notes, the character development and plot depth was incredible. The author was very good at engaging the reader in the constant plot twists and unexpected occurrences!!!

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a challenge and is after something that is a tad bit different. Anyone who loves fantasy and dystopian novels who is interested in a short, quick read will love this book so I suggest you go pick it up on amazon as soon as you can!

[Mark Kasniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about Moirae? Without a doubt it is unlike anything I’ve ever read! Mehreen Ahmed brings to you a story that I would have to describe as a “freely flowing consciousness” it’s like being in a dream state with all its shifts and turns brought to you in the text. Moirae is part dystopian, overcoming adversity, class oppression, deep faith, and family, all rolled up in one.

Moirae follows a young girl by the name of Nalia as she and her family flees from civil unrest and oppression in a place called the Lost Winds. As the story progresses, the characters question their faith and their place in the world as they struggle to overcome adversity. But, like all of life’s big problems they find that their struggles are not something they can run from.

Moirae was definitely a weird read for me, but I found it an enjoyable one. If, you are looking for something out of the norm or something that “breaks the mold” I highly recommend Moirae.

[John Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed is a dream-like experience. There is the feeling that a lot of this is written in a “stream of consciousness” style. Lost Winds is a fantasy land and the people and events are presented allegorically in the main characters dreams. The many-worlds of knitted pink honeycomb patterns are a very original concept, though it echoes in some ways the many-worlds theory of quantum physics. The honeycomb pattern in bee hives is repeated through out all existence, because of its sophistication. Indeed the multi-verse itself has to be seen as a marvel of geometric perfection. Ms Ahmed takes us on a journey that seems simple at first glance, but in reality is very complex and multi-layered. I’d recommend this book to all those who have the ability to think outside the square (and inside the hexagonal).

[James Bizzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moirae was a fascinating read. I am not well-versed in the stream-of-consciousness style. The only book that I’ve read that I think comes close is Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner. But it seems to me that the heart of the book is defined as much from what the reader draws out of it as from what the writer puts in.

The story follows several characters: men conscripted into governmental service and converting their faith—and women struggling to keep their families and sanities together in the face of sudden horror. Mehreen Ahmed’s style is ethereal and dreamlike, but it often portrays inequity and brutality which seem to be all too commonplace any every culture around the globe. Her characters question their faith in God and their place in the world, and their stories are gripping—and alternately devastating and uplifting.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself reading Moirae not particularly interested in the subject, but by the time I reached the last page I was pleased to have given it a go. The plot deals with oppression and the premise of the story is focused on the escape from it. Where I found the true strength of the work is the writing style, breaking loose from any conventions and rules, ignoring them to the effect of creating a unique voice. Once the reader is used to it, he learns to give another perspective to the top layer of the novel, reaching beneath it and delving into flowing thoughts which are presented with an obvious insight and perception by the author. Though some themes evaporate before they've been given a chance to take root in the mind's eye, one cannot say Moirae is not well imagined, and executed work.

[Paul Landes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t imagine a more difficult style of writing to undertake, yet Ahmed has created a vibrant story full of intriguing and delightful images. It did take me a while to fully understand the stream of consciousness style, but once I gained an understanding of how the author was telling her story I was captivated.

The overall subject matter deals with class struggle and poverty and Ahmed has told a story that really made me take a look at the problems facing many parts of our world. While not the most uplifting topic, Ahmed managed to weave in scenes and tales of the positive emotions and pleasantries of small town life- brilliant.

I have read some of Ahmed’s prior works and while I enjoyed them all, Moiree is a book that made me take stock of my own consciousness.

[Dylan Callens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moirae is a must for anyone seeking to be challenged by unusual narratives. It is hard to discuss the book without getting into the stream-of-consciousness style, which is the real highlight of the story. Mehreen Ahmed has created a truly unique voice. In fact, the only time when something seemed familiar in the style was when the narrative shifted from third to first person, when we are fully immersed in Nalia’s thoughts, reminding me of Toni Morrison’s Sula.

The story itself covers a number of dark themes, the most predominate of which are rape and oppression. In light of that, this is not a light-hearted tale for those seeking pop-fiction. This is certainly a book for those that appreciate works of literature.

[Irum Zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 Stars.

I'm a huge fan of details in any novels. They make or break the characters.
Mehreen has described every character, every weather, every motion of the image in such a beautiful way that I had the picture of the whole book in my head like a movie.

It was dark and real, just the way I like my books. There was no false hope, no fake promises. Just truth and reality. That is why I loved reading the book.

I cannot imagine how she poured out all these words and I kept wanting more and more. Pages turned, It was an emotional ride indeed.

Well done, Mehreen.

I can't wait to read your next novel.

You're amazing.

Happy Reading!