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Tehmina Durrani made her sensational literary debut in 1991 with her controversial autobiography My Feudal Lord. Blasphemy, her next major work, promises to generate the same degree of excitement. Set in south Pakistan, the novel inspired by a true story, is a searing study of evil; an uncompromising look at the distortion of Islam by predatory religious leaders.
In prose of great power and intensity, the author tells the tragic story of the beautiful Heer, brutalized and corrupted by Pir Sain, the man of God, whom she is married to when barely fifteen. But the nightmare she is locked into is not hers alone; it affects the entire clan that owes allegiance to the pir. In the Pir's haveli, unspeakable horrors are perpetrated every day and every night, all in the name of Allah. Sucked into the fetid hell of her lord's making, Heer loses her dignity, her freedom, even her humanity, till a terrible resolution gives her back to herself.
In prose of great power and intensity, the author tells the tragic story of the beautiful Heer, brutalized and corrupted by Pir Sain, the man of God, whom she is married to when barely fifteen. But the nightmare she is locked into is not hers alone; it affects the entire clan that owes allegiance to the pir. In the Pir's haveli, unspeakable horrors are perpetrated every day and every night, all in the name of Allah. Sucked into the fetid hell of her lord's making, Heer loses her dignity, her freedom, even her humanity, till a terrible resolution gives her back to herself.
299 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
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1952 people want to read
About the author
Tehmina Durrani
5 books300 followersTehmina Durrani (Urdu: تہمینہ درانی; born 18 February 1953) is the daughter of a former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan and Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines, S.U. Durrani and a granddaughter of Nawab Sir Liaqat Hayat Khan, prime minister of Patiala state for eleven years. He was the elder brother of former Punjab Premier Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan. Her first book, My Feudal Lord, caused ripples in Pakistan's male-dominated society by describing her abusive and traumatic marriage to Ghulam Mustafa Khar, then Chief Minister and later Governor of Punjab and her experience of a feudal society. She is currently involved in the emancipation of women in Pakistan.
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August 2, 2020
Blasphemy.. the book is an extreme depiction of male tyranny & religious fundamentalism. When I borrowed it - I felt it would be either a feminist book or one about a tortured women in an islamist state. When I started reading it turned out be the latter for sure but the extremity of torture was uncomparable to anything I had read.. How can someone be tortured so much and still survive and end up with a happy ending.. its quiet impossible that one lives a life of a slave, being raped, beaten to death almost everyday & still survive to tell the story & say they 'Happily lived everafter'. or i wonder whether it was just a symbolic ending with happiness & heaven after death..
The book says it is based on a true story but it seemed so fictional so out of this world and so primitive. There is every form of possible torture a man can do on a woman.. his wife, mother, daughter, sister.. the protagonist 'Heer' suffered in every form and every man in her life was an extreme. The author portrayed that men & women are determined through their birth. Some were born with strong characters while some were born weak. They were different from each other, one could not survive the evil prevailing around and fell prey.. and the ones which survived turned evil.. so there is only a choice, either you be evil or die a nameless death.
There was nothing conventional in the type of torture. Every evil was extreme - selling wife as a pimp, incest sleeeping with sister or daughters, paedophiles lurking on young girls as old as 9 or 10, making cheap blue movies of your wife & selling, killing your own son on stake of possesiveness & jealousy, raping a pregnant woman, the unsatiated sexual fantasies of a man let loose on every woman in his vicinity, the crimes are gross and limitless.. there is no guilt - its only survival instinct, to fight evil you had to be more evil, so there was no limit to the devlish acts of the tormenter & the tormented.. they tried to save oneself by cutting each other. Also the kind of risks the women took while living in such a dangerous family or social structure.. it is quiet impossible that she was not stoned to death.
The protagonist herself creates a bait for her survival but that ends up as a noose for her. She manages to live through it all for 24 years and then when she is finally loosing everything, she is just set free like a miracle.. well in a book where such extreme tortuous acts happen the miracles are also quiet believable because possibly that is the only hope for survival in such worlds, in such social patterns and people.
Its not a great read. Read it if you want to feel sad for such women or read to feel good and thankful for your own lives in an independent world where you can be what you are. Where men & women though not equals but stay parallel.. It is more important to be parallel and not cut each other than being an equal and keep cutting.. that maintains the equilibrium of this world...
The book says it is based on a true story but it seemed so fictional so out of this world and so primitive. There is every form of possible torture a man can do on a woman.. his wife, mother, daughter, sister.. the protagonist 'Heer' suffered in every form and every man in her life was an extreme. The author portrayed that men & women are determined through their birth. Some were born with strong characters while some were born weak. They were different from each other, one could not survive the evil prevailing around and fell prey.. and the ones which survived turned evil.. so there is only a choice, either you be evil or die a nameless death.
There was nothing conventional in the type of torture. Every evil was extreme - selling wife as a pimp, incest sleeeping with sister or daughters, paedophiles lurking on young girls as old as 9 or 10, making cheap blue movies of your wife & selling, killing your own son on stake of possesiveness & jealousy, raping a pregnant woman, the unsatiated sexual fantasies of a man let loose on every woman in his vicinity, the crimes are gross and limitless.. there is no guilt - its only survival instinct, to fight evil you had to be more evil, so there was no limit to the devlish acts of the tormenter & the tormented.. they tried to save oneself by cutting each other. Also the kind of risks the women took while living in such a dangerous family or social structure.. it is quiet impossible that she was not stoned to death.
The protagonist herself creates a bait for her survival but that ends up as a noose for her. She manages to live through it all for 24 years and then when she is finally loosing everything, she is just set free like a miracle.. well in a book where such extreme tortuous acts happen the miracles are also quiet believable because possibly that is the only hope for survival in such worlds, in such social patterns and people.
Its not a great read. Read it if you want to feel sad for such women or read to feel good and thankful for your own lives in an independent world where you can be what you are. Where men & women though not equals but stay parallel.. It is more important to be parallel and not cut each other than being an equal and keep cutting.. that maintains the equilibrium of this world...
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September 13, 2020I have very mixed impressions about Tehmina Durrani and her books.She shot to fame or rather notoriety,when the controversial bestseller,My Feudal Lord was published.It was a tell all account of her life with controversial Pakistani politician,Ghulam Mustafa Khar.
After that,she redeemed herself through her biography of Abdul Sattar Edhi,Pakistan's most pre eminent humanitarian worker.
And then,she tried her hand at writing fiction.Blasphemy was the result.
Seldom have I read such a dark tale of raw suffering and oppression.I didn't like it at all,very disturbing.
It is about the sufferings inflicted on a woman in rural Pakistan by her husband,a so called religious leader (pir).It was a very difficult book to read,it made me very uncomfortable.If it was indeed based on a true story,it's very sad.
After that,she redeemed herself through her biography of Abdul Sattar Edhi,Pakistan's most pre eminent humanitarian worker.
And then,she tried her hand at writing fiction.Blasphemy was the result.
Seldom have I read such a dark tale of raw suffering and oppression.I didn't like it at all,very disturbing.
It is about the sufferings inflicted on a woman in rural Pakistan by her husband,a so called religious leader (pir).It was a very difficult book to read,it made me very uncomfortable.If it was indeed based on a true story,it's very sad.
May 21, 2013
The rating is in now way a reflection of my disbelief in Durrani's story, which could very well be a depiction of reality and the kind of oppression women face. I just want to throw light on how raw and uncontrolled writing can make the reading distasteful and not literature. The book, right from the beginning, was unpalatable and only made the experience painful, which probably could be the aim of the author. There is pain everywhere, but the way literature can bring it to the reader must be tactful, lest the purpose of writing itself will remain futile. One of the worst books I have read which could have been so much more if only it was dealt with more sensitively.
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April 7, 2013This makes for a difficult and painful read and is certainly not for the faint hearted. Often, it leaves you reeling between horror and disbelief. One keeps asking the same question over and over again: How can such oppression and cruelty be permitted, especially in the name of religion? What makes it even harder to believe is that this IS a true story and that this unimaginable reality is being lived by many women even today. Overall, I have to say that I have rarely read such a powerful and gripping book, which left me close to tears and feeling deeply saddened and helpless.
I must add that Durrani's courage and strength has moved me even beyond the book. To have written a story like this, so openly challenging the Peer culture and feudal system in Pakistan and to expose their corruption and ignorance takes more guts that we can ever imagine. I have only admiration that no words can express. Thank you for such a powerful story and for being brave enough to write it. Highly recommended!
I must add that Durrani's courage and strength has moved me even beyond the book. To have written a story like this, so openly challenging the Peer culture and feudal system in Pakistan and to expose their corruption and ignorance takes more guts that we can ever imagine. I have only admiration that no words can express. Thank you for such a powerful story and for being brave enough to write it. Highly recommended!
January 17, 2016
অবিশ্বাস্য নির্মম এক উপাখ্যান।
কিছু জায়গা পড়ে নির্বাক হয়ে বসে ছিলাম আসলেই কি রিলিজিওনকে এই ভাবে ব্যবহার করা যায়?
আমি যতই অস্বীকার করে যাই আসলেই কিছু মানুষ ধর্মকে অন্যায় করার হাতিয়ার হিসাবেই নেয়। যার মাঝখানে হীরের মত কিছু নারী সারাজীবন ধরে শোষিত হয়ে যায়।
ধর্মের এক অন্ধকার কাহিনী। ভয়ংকর সত্য কিছু ঘটনা লেখিকা তুলে এনেছে।
কিভাবে প্রজন্মের পর প্রজন্ম ধর্মকে তাদের শান শৌকত বিলাসিতা, ভোগ দখলের হাতিয়ার হিসাবে ব্যবহার করেছে।
ধর্ম সব সময় শান্তির না অনেক সময় মানুষের কারনে ভয়ানক ও হতে পারে।
কিছু জায়গা পড়ে নির্বাক হয়ে বসে ছিলাম আসলেই কি রিলিজিওনকে এই ভাবে ব্যবহার করা যায়?
আমি যতই অস্বীকার করে যাই আসলেই কিছু মানুষ ধর্মকে অন্যায় করার হাতিয়ার হিসাবেই নেয়। যার মাঝখানে হীরের মত কিছু নারী সারাজীবন ধরে শোষিত হয়ে যায়।
ধর্মের এক অন্ধকার কাহিনী। ভয়ংকর সত্য কিছু ঘটনা লেখিকা তুলে এনেছে।
কিভাবে প্রজন্মের পর প্রজন্ম ধর্মকে তাদের শান শৌকত বিলাসিতা, ভোগ দখলের হাতিয়ার হিসাবে ব্যবহার করেছে।
ধর্ম সব সময় শান্তির না অনেক সময় মানুষের কারনে ভয়ানক ও হতে পারে।
April 16, 2017
বইটার একেকটা পৃষ্ঠা পড়ছিলাম আর শিউরে উঠছিলাম। লেখিকা বলেছেন এটি নাকি সত্য ঘটনা অবলম্বনে লিখেছেন। আমি ভাবছি সত্যি মানুষ এতোটা পাষাণ হয়?
বইয়ের কাহিনী আবর্তিত হয়েছে হীর নামক এক দুর্ভাগা নারীকে কেন্দ্র করে। হীর তখন কিশোরী, চোখে পড়ে যায় এক ভন্ড পীরের। কৈশোরেই তাকে বিয়ে করতে হয় সেই পীর কে, দরিদ্র ও পিতৃহারা হীরের আর কিছু করার ছিল না। কিন্তু বিয়ের রাত থেকেই তার উপর শুরু হয় পাশবিক যৌন ও মানসিক নির্যাতন। ক্ষতবিক্ষত হতে থাকে তার ছোট্ট দেহ ও মন। এমনকি হীর কে অ্যাবরশন করতে বাধ্য করা হয় স্বামীর যৌন চাহিদা মিটাতে।
ধীরে ধীরে হীর দুই পুত্র ও তিন কন্যা সন্তানের জননী হয়। নিজের মেয়েকে পর্যন্ত ধর্ষণ করতে ছারে না হীরের স্বামী। পীরের একটা মাদী উট ছিল। সেটাকে প্রতিদিন ছেরে দেওয়া হতো। উট গ্রামে ঘুরে বেড়াতে বেড়াতে যে বাড়ির সামনে বসে পড়তো সে বাড়িতে কুমারী মেয়ে থাকলে তাকে রাতে পীরের কাছে পাঠাতে হত। বইটির পাতায় পাতায় যেন ভয়ানক বিভীষিকা।
বইয়ের কাহিনী আবর্তিত হয়েছে হীর নামক এক দুর্ভাগা নারীকে কেন্দ্র করে। হীর তখন কিশোরী, চোখে পড়ে যায় এক ভন্ড পীরের। কৈশোরেই তাকে বিয়ে করতে হয় সেই পীর কে, দরিদ্র ও পিতৃহারা হীরের আর কিছু করার ছিল না। কিন্তু বিয়ের রাত থেকেই তার উপর শুরু হয় পাশবিক যৌন ও মানসিক নির্যাতন। ক্ষতবিক্ষত হতে থাকে তার ছোট্ট দেহ ও মন। এমনকি হীর কে অ্যাবরশন করতে বাধ্য করা হয় স্বামীর যৌন চাহিদা মিটাতে।
ধীরে ধীরে হীর দুই পুত্র ও তিন কন্যা সন্তানের জননী হয়। নিজের মেয়েকে পর্যন্ত ধর্ষণ করতে ছারে না হীরের স্বামী। পীরের একটা মাদী উট ছিল। সেটাকে প্রতিদিন ছেরে দেওয়া হতো। উট গ্রামে ঘুরে বেড়াতে বেড়াতে যে বাড়ির সামনে বসে পড়তো সে বাড়িতে কুমারী মেয়ে থাকলে তাকে রাতে পীরের কাছে পাঠাতে হত। বইটির পাতায় পাতায় যেন ভয়ানক বিভীষিকা।
April 21, 2017
তেহমিনা দুররানির 'ব্লাসফেমি' উপন্যাসটি পাকিস্তানে প্রথম প্রকাশিত হয় ১৯৯৮ সালে। এটি একটি বেস্টসেলার উপন্যাস। প্রকাশের পরপরই এটি পাকিস্তান সহ সারা বিশ্বে আলোড়ন তোলে।
স্বাভাবিক, কন্ট্রোভার্সাল টপিক। হিট তো খাবেই।
স্বাভাবিক, কন্ট্রোভার্সাল টপিক। হিট তো খাবেই।
June 30, 2020
ইশ! কী ভয়ংকর!
বইটা শেষ করতে গেলেও প্রচুর সাহস দরকার। পাতায় পাতায় এতো অত্যাচার আর নির্মমতার বিবরণ নেওয়া যায় না।
বইটা শেষ করতে গেলেও প্রচুর সাহস দরকার। পাতায় পাতায় এতো অত্যাচার আর নির্মমতার বিবরণ নেওয়া যায় না।
November 2, 2016
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A 2.5 star book
As soon as it was known that I wanted to read Blasphemy by Durrani, I was told by any friends that it will leave me disturbed and I will have nightmares for many nights. All these comments did, was fuel the fire of my curiosity and I was all the more inclined to reading it.
After getting my hands on a copy, as soon as I could, I started reading it.
In a nutshell, it is, indeed, a disturbing tale. The first night I sat reading it, I had a hard time sleeping. The thoughts going round and round in my head, making me ponder about the lack of humanity in the human race.
Blasphemy is the tale of Heer. What befell her and what she did.
While I could sympathise with the girl who was forced into a marriage, I could not sympathise with the woman who forced a child into the wolf's path. While I could feel protective and be angry on behalf of the woman whose husband raped her and forced other men on, I cant bring myself to feel anything for the woman who found pleasure in the same bed and then kept saying her husband forced it on her. Once she decided to have the pleasure for herself, it ceased to be rape, she did it of her will!
Never personally being in the situation as Heer, I would not claim to say what should or what should not have been done or felt. But, as this book propagates the misfortune of the Muslim women, I must say, the issue here is not Islam. The issue is illiteracy.
If people knew enough to understand their scripture, their holy book, there would have been no platform for the pirs or such to build a presence for themselves.
The same stands true for other religions. For religion is one weapon that such people bring to their disposal to cripple the masses who don't understand what their religion is all about.
A one time read for me because who can digest this again?
Leaving the story for a bit, the writing style is not engaging. At all. Emotions are what would keep people glued to the pages instead.
A 2.5 star book
As soon as it was known that I wanted to read Blasphemy by Durrani, I was told by any friends that it will leave me disturbed and I will have nightmares for many nights. All these comments did, was fuel the fire of my curiosity and I was all the more inclined to reading it.
After getting my hands on a copy, as soon as I could, I started reading it.
In a nutshell, it is, indeed, a disturbing tale. The first night I sat reading it, I had a hard time sleeping. The thoughts going round and round in my head, making me ponder about the lack of humanity in the human race.
Blasphemy is the tale of Heer. What befell her and what she did.
While I could sympathise with the girl who was forced into a marriage, I could not sympathise with the woman who forced a child into the wolf's path. While I could feel protective and be angry on behalf of the woman whose husband raped her and forced other men on, I cant bring myself to feel anything for the woman who found pleasure in the same bed and then kept saying her husband forced it on her. Once she decided to have the pleasure for herself, it ceased to be rape, she did it of her will!
Never personally being in the situation as Heer, I would not claim to say what should or what should not have been done or felt. But, as this book propagates the misfortune of the Muslim women, I must say, the issue here is not Islam. The issue is illiteracy.
If people knew enough to understand their scripture, their holy book, there would have been no platform for the pirs or such to build a presence for themselves.
The same stands true for other religions. For religion is one weapon that such people bring to their disposal to cripple the masses who don't understand what their religion is all about.
A one time read for me because who can digest this again?
Leaving the story for a bit, the writing style is not engaging. At all. Emotions are what would keep people glued to the pages instead.
February 28, 2011
Blasphemy is Tehmina Durrani's novel about the exploitation at the hands of her husband. Many describe the novel to be about "religious" exploitation, however, it is evident in the story that religious plays no part in the sins of a man, its the exploitation of a religion that allows a mere man to act like God, in the case of this woman. A lot of Muslims may take offense to this book, however, I do not think that Durrani was speaking against Islam, as a matter of fact, I think this story condemns people in power (such as politicians and clergy-men, or worse...politicians who are also clergy-men, or clergy-men owned by politicians) who exploit and prey on the ignorant people; who thrive and exist on the hopes of their faith saving them. To make it clear, such exploitations take place in ALL cultures, and all religions - not just in Islam.
This is a heartbreaking read, however, quite crude and visual at times. You may feel the plight of the protagonist, but, if you're at all educated - you'll balk at the extreme nepotism and dictatorship of 'Peer Sain', and the ignorant and helplessness of the protagonist. My fear, and the thing that I do not appreciate about this book, is that someone/anyone reading it from the Western culture will believe that this is the way Pakistan is - Durrani makes NO attempt to clarify that what happens in this book is not the norm; it is merely an instance.
This is a heartbreaking read, however, quite crude and visual at times. You may feel the plight of the protagonist, but, if you're at all educated - you'll balk at the extreme nepotism and dictatorship of 'Peer Sain', and the ignorant and helplessness of the protagonist. My fear, and the thing that I do not appreciate about this book, is that someone/anyone reading it from the Western culture will believe that this is the way Pakistan is - Durrani makes NO attempt to clarify that what happens in this book is not the norm; it is merely an instance.
February 27, 2020
Every evil, that can be inflicted on a woman in one lifetime, is literally the story of this book. Extremely shocking and ugly details of religious leaders in interior Sindh, who would do all the horrendous and evil things in the name of Islam. When I read on the first page that it's based on a true story, i felt I was gonna be stunned on the extreme plight of women for the rest of my life. Religious fundamentalism at its extreme, and patriarchy and male domination at its peak. The story of Heer, whom her mother married off to a man double her age, a religious fanatic, and everything she underwent while living with him, is enough to send shivers down your spine. In her own words:
To me, my husband was my son’s murderer. He was also my daughter’s molester. A parasite nibbling on the Holy Book, he was Lucifer, holding me by the throat and driving me to sin each and every night. He was the rapist of orphans and the fiend that fed the weak. But over and above all this, he was known to be the man closest to Allah, the one who could reach Him and save us.
This is such a disturbingly shocking book for people like us, who are privileged enough to sit back, relax, and read in the comfort of our homes. Even though,Ttehmina Durrani belongs to the 1% elite class of this country, she has still managed to struck a nerve by exposing the raw brutality on women and religious fanaticism in rural Pakistan.
To me, my husband was my son’s murderer. He was also my daughter’s molester. A parasite nibbling on the Holy Book, he was Lucifer, holding me by the throat and driving me to sin each and every night. He was the rapist of orphans and the fiend that fed the weak. But over and above all this, he was known to be the man closest to Allah, the one who could reach Him and save us.
This is such a disturbingly shocking book for people like us, who are privileged enough to sit back, relax, and read in the comfort of our homes. Even though,Ttehmina Durrani belongs to the 1% elite class of this country, she has still managed to struck a nerve by exposing the raw brutality on women and religious fanaticism in rural Pakistan.
June 26, 2016
If you feel your organized religion in its purest form needs to evolve and change, why follow it at all in the first place? If you have the gumption to decide right from wrong yourself and the the Holy Book sent from your God seems outdated or irrelevant to you... Maybe it isn't the word of God after all. Saying you're a Muslim, but don't believe in everything that the Quran says is so ridiculous. OK.
I need to stop watching Nat Geo documentaries and get back to the book. Pfft!
I don't know much about Tehmina Durrani. According to google, she is quite a character herself though I am not going to judge her. I don't have any any rights to judge her. All I can do is, review her book. The theme of the novel is tragic and controversial. The story depicts the piri faqiri system in the Pakistani society. Unlike many readers, I don't feel the story was totally fabricated but there sure was everything going wrong for the characters, who were weaker and helpless - which makes it a gloomy read. But most importantly, to end the book in such a whimsical way, is totally unflattering and irritating. Makes you cringe every single page...
Only 2 stars- for the concept. However I will add one more just for the brave effort of the author to speak about the sufi culture in Pakistan and give voice to the injustice of women.
I need to stop watching Nat Geo documentaries and get back to the book. Pfft!
I don't know much about Tehmina Durrani. According to google, she is quite a character herself though I am not going to judge her. I don't have any any rights to judge her. All I can do is, review her book. The theme of the novel is tragic and controversial. The story depicts the piri faqiri system in the Pakistani society. Unlike many readers, I don't feel the story was totally fabricated but there sure was everything going wrong for the characters, who were weaker and helpless - which makes it a gloomy read. But most importantly, to end the book in such a whimsical way, is totally unflattering and irritating. Makes you cringe every single page...
Only 2 stars- for the concept. However I will add one more just for the brave effort of the author to speak about the sufi culture in Pakistan and give voice to the injustice of women.
March 19, 2015
As I finish this book, I have this desperate urge to wash myself off again & again untill the water starts to burn me up like molten lava. only then I think Heer's dreadful pain would come at par with justice or not even then, maybe I need to wash off myself till the time I loose my masculinity on the behalf of everything she had been kept down for. closing the book was like worse kind of pain one can ever come across.
I might never be able to re-read this book but Heer has been latched on to me forever like a ghost and I might never be able to budge away from her grave. Maybe because I want to carry her off onto my shoulders or maybe I want stand infront of her grave forever.
I might never be able to re-read this book but Heer has been latched on to me forever like a ghost and I might never be able to budge away from her grave. Maybe because I want to carry her off onto my shoulders or maybe I want stand infront of her grave forever.
August 9, 2018
Its not sort of book want to rate as good. This book will leave a taste of blood in your mouth. It will nauseate you, and really make you sick to stomach. Every possible sick thing that a human can do to another is explored in this book. It says it based on true stories, if that's true that leaves me ever more speechless and my insides twisting with disgust.
I will give the writer this much credit she might not be the best writer i have read but she gets are message across quiet loud and clear.
Also the use of word Blasphemy in this book is aligns quiet well with how we use it in our culture contrary what it actually means and stands for in our religion.
I will give the writer this much credit she might not be the best writer i have read but she gets are message across quiet loud and clear.
Also the use of word Blasphemy in this book is aligns quiet well with how we use it in our culture contrary what it actually means and stands for in our religion.
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July 29, 2024I need to sit with this for a while before I rate it.
August 6, 2013
The theme of the novel is tragic and controversial. The story depicts the piri faqiri system (devotion to so called spiritual men) in the Pakistani society.
Unlike many readers, I don't feel the story was totally fabricated but there sure was everything going wrong for the characters, who were weaker and helpless - which makes it a gloomy read.
Since I read the novel way back in 1999 so I don't remember much of the author's style of writing. At that time, as I was beginning to discover Pakistani authors and their work of fiction in English so I paid very little attention to the author's way of storytelling. Only thing that stays with me even today is that one would never wish to be trapped in an environment like the female protagonist was.
Unlike many readers, I don't feel the story was totally fabricated but there sure was everything going wrong for the characters, who were weaker and helpless - which makes it a gloomy read.
Since I read the novel way back in 1999 so I don't remember much of the author's style of writing. At that time, as I was beginning to discover Pakistani authors and their work of fiction in English so I paid very little attention to the author's way of storytelling. Only thing that stays with me even today is that one would never wish to be trapped in an environment like the female protagonist was.
October 7, 2013
So shocking that you sometimes don't want to believe the author for the sake of preserving your own idealistic view of humanity...
Are men really capable of such vulgarity? Makes you cringe every single page...
Are men really capable of such vulgarity? Makes you cringe every single page...
May 23, 2013
Begins with protagonist's (young and beautiful Heer) mother, out of utter ignorance and fear of Allah (read Pir Sain), marrying and pushing her off into the beast Pir Sain's hell.
What follows is her ordeal for years. In the Pir's haveli, unspeakable horrors are perpetrated every day and every night on her body, mind, dignity, all in the name of Allah.
What to say of Pir- a son's murderer, a daughter's molester, a parasite nibbling on the Holy Book.
The author speaks of religious bigots not letting people realize their freedom of conscience, instilling in them the fear of Allah through propagandist means- distorting the message of Islam. All just to hold firm, their fiefdom, fear and to exercise power through violence to subjugate, humiliate and feed upon the weak.
What shakes me even more is the cruelty meted out by Heer's son, who, even upon knowing all her sufferings, refuses to let go of his wild greed for power which came to him after Pir's demise and further traumatizes her his way.
What follows is her ordeal for years. In the Pir's haveli, unspeakable horrors are perpetrated every day and every night on her body, mind, dignity, all in the name of Allah.
What to say of Pir- a son's murderer, a daughter's molester, a parasite nibbling on the Holy Book.
The author speaks of religious bigots not letting people realize their freedom of conscience, instilling in them the fear of Allah through propagandist means- distorting the message of Islam. All just to hold firm, their fiefdom, fear and to exercise power through violence to subjugate, humiliate and feed upon the weak.
What shakes me even more is the cruelty meted out by Heer's son, who, even upon knowing all her sufferings, refuses to let go of his wild greed for power which came to him after Pir's demise and further traumatizes her his way.
April 8, 2014
Durrani depicted a very important issue of the rural Islamic culture, prevailing still today, especially in the sub-continent. It is about how the religion is exploited by the so called Pirs, who in their personal lives are away from the Islamic principles.
She claimed that it is a true story in the face of a novel, which a reader will agree to a great extent. I think about 70-75% of the story is true while there is exaggeration of the events especially in the second half. The writing style is strong with very selective use of words and efficient language skills.
This is a dark and harsh read with extreme brutality and violence. I would not suggest if you are weak-hearted or living a happy care-free life. :-)
She claimed that it is a true story in the face of a novel, which a reader will agree to a great extent. I think about 70-75% of the story is true while there is exaggeration of the events especially in the second half. The writing style is strong with very selective use of words and efficient language skills.
This is a dark and harsh read with extreme brutality and violence. I would not suggest if you are weak-hearted or living a happy care-free life. :-)
November 25, 2010
I couldn't finish this book. The abuse this woman faced was just awful and made me mad enough to want to throw the book across the room. I feel like the author just wanted to heap on the abuse and not bother with a proper storyline. It's like, okay we get it, there's a lot of ignorance in the villages of Pakistan. Now what?
April 23, 2014
This book left me feeling all cold inside. Next reaction was to feel blessed.
November 12, 2017
This book is graphic and disturbing, I could not finish it.
What was the main character thinking when she used the orphan girl as a shield to protect herself and her daughter from her oppressive husband?! She had the upper-hand to protect her as the adult and being apart of the ruling class. The authority give to this family obliges them to listen and attend to the needs of the people; not force their will on them.
Both the protagonist and antagonist are faithless characters, they deserve each other. Every person has the ability to decide between right and wrong in every situation, so what was stopping Heer from speaking out against the ills of her husband? Faith is not found in the clothing you wear or by how many people revere you as a religious person. God is found in the heart and the actions we perform mirror the condition of the heart.
Not discussing and spreading awareness of the stark reality women and the weak undergo will only allow the disease of ignorance to continue to spread - and slavery within communities like these.
What was the main character thinking when she used the orphan girl as a shield to protect herself and her daughter from her oppressive husband?! She had the upper-hand to protect her as the adult and being apart of the ruling class. The authority give to this family obliges them to listen and attend to the needs of the people; not force their will on them.
Both the protagonist and antagonist are faithless characters, they deserve each other. Every person has the ability to decide between right and wrong in every situation, so what was stopping Heer from speaking out against the ills of her husband? Faith is not found in the clothing you wear or by how many people revere you as a religious person. God is found in the heart and the actions we perform mirror the condition of the heart.
Not discussing and spreading awareness of the stark reality women and the weak undergo will only allow the disease of ignorance to continue to spread - and slavery within communities like these.
December 4, 2014
I would say one of the best books on blasphemy. it is one book that discusses several disgusts of the patriarchal society. this is one of those books that shook my empathy and with each turning page ,i was wiping my tears off. this book not only made me disgust but it pierced my heart . it was hard to go continuously for it was hard to digest the pain all at same time . its hard for a reader to imagine such pain while she has endured it all in her life . i do not pity her for i dont have the right , she the one who had been brutalized is of much respect and honor. it is not an autobiography but certainly a biography of a woman oppressed by her so called Pir (her husband) who doesn't only corrupt her of her deserved happiness but all those who considers him to be a messenger of God. this is one of those books that would always be close to my heart . Great work by the writer of controversial autobiography "MY FEUDAL LORD", TEHMINA DURRANI. i am awestruck.
February 28, 2018
I was very young when I borrowed this book so I actually failed to apprehend the rudiments of it until I re-read it again. When I picked up this book, I was expecting it to be a book on distorted religious extremism and tortures on a malleable woman in the context of south pakistan but I wasn’t expecting the extent of the tortures to be this horrendous, that I cried to bed every night as I could almost see the gruesome scenes right before my eyes. Everything bad that can happen to a woman, happens to the protagonist “heer” in this book which was quite heart wrenching for my 16 year old self, even now. What scarred me for life was the fact that this book is based on true story.
Food for thought , Despite all the disturbing narration, people should read this book as it depicts the brutalities in an incomprehensible way. For me, it is better to know than not know. So I give it a 4/5 being a huge fan of Tehmina Durra as I didn’t quite like the convenient happy ending.
Food for thought , Despite all the disturbing narration, people should read this book as it depicts the brutalities in an incomprehensible way. For me, it is better to know than not know. So I give it a 4/5 being a huge fan of Tehmina Durra as I didn’t quite like the convenient happy ending.
December 7, 2007
An insider look into the traditional culture of Islam in Pakistan. I'd say it's more like a long essay. Durrani didn't pin point any exact location of her story, although it is most probably took place in one of Lahore's thousands of Islamic boarding school or similar religious school.
I haven't read many Pakistani writer, especial women ones. I'd say Durrani was brave enough to highlight and bring up the subject. Similar to what Marjane Satrapi did through "Persepolis 1, 2" and "Embroideries".
I haven't read many Pakistani writer, especial women ones. I'd say Durrani was brave enough to highlight and bring up the subject. Similar to what Marjane Satrapi did through "Persepolis 1, 2" and "Embroideries".
April 4, 2013
I think that this book could have been much much more better than the way tehmina durrani wrote. im not fond of her as a writer. and this book of her failed me. there is so much complexity in the way she writes in this book. it was more of a headache than reading for pleasure. i just wanted to get over with this book. the problem on which she wrote is genuine and but she could more clearly define it... i dont like the way she writes... theres no easiness in her writing, i wont recommend her to anyone.
February 24, 2015
The book was honestly a disappointment. Not once was I able to connect with the protagonist "Heer". The reader is just over burdened with too many things. It almost feels like we are reading the list of sufferings of the character. The book is too shallow and lacks a certain depth due to which you fail to empthasize and connect with the characters. The book actually deserves just one star however I added one more just for the 'brave effort of the author to speak about the pir culture in Pakistan and give voice to the injustice of women.
November 13, 2008
this book will give girls the fear that if u dont liberate yourself u will suffer...heer the protagonist of the book doesn't say anything when she is married off the a man much much older to her... doesn't say anything, when the lil servant girl has to have sex with her own husband(the "saint")... i think all girls must speak up n demand their freedom...and those who are blessed with it must be grateful and should exploit it....u never get lucky twice....
October 12, 2020
An interesting book that tries to shake the reader out of their comfort zone and challenges them think about who they put their faith in. Following self-appointed leaders in hope of salvation..
I liked that the writing style sucked me into the story, however, some parts are so violent and visual that I had a hard time staying with it.
I finished most of it in one sitting torn between revulsion and dread at what horrible thing would happen next.
I liked that the writing style sucked me into the story, however, some parts are so violent and visual that I had a hard time staying with it.
I finished most of it in one sitting torn between revulsion and dread at what horrible thing would happen next.
April 13, 2013
You may find the book a lot too depressing and unreal...but apparently it's based on a real story according to Durrani. Nevertheless, it adds to your knowledge about the lifestyles of pirs and feudal lords.
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