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Djinn City #3
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday
A LOCUS AWARD FINALIST FOR BEST NOVELLA
"Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."―Indra Das
When the djinn king Melek Ahmar wakes up after millennia of imprisoned slumber, he finds a world vastly different from what he remembers. Arrogant and bombastic, he comes down the mountain expecting an easy conquest: the wealthy, spectacular city state of Kathmandu, ruled by the all-knowing, all-seeing tyrant AI Karma. To his surprise, he finds that Kathmandu is a cut-price paradise, where citizens want for nothing and even the dregs of society are distinctly unwilling to revolt.
Everyone seems happy, except for the old Gurkha soldier Bhan Gurung. Knife saint, recidivist, and mass murderer, he is an exile from Kathmandu, pursuing a forty-year-old vendetta that leads to the very heart of Karma. Pushed and prodded by Gurung, Melek Ahmer finds himself in ever deeper conflicts, until they finally face off against Karma and her forces. In the upheaval that follows, old crimes will come to light and the city itself will be forced to change.
"Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."―Indra Das
When the djinn king Melek Ahmar wakes up after millennia of imprisoned slumber, he finds a world vastly different from what he remembers. Arrogant and bombastic, he comes down the mountain expecting an easy conquest: the wealthy, spectacular city state of Kathmandu, ruled by the all-knowing, all-seeing tyrant AI Karma. To his surprise, he finds that Kathmandu is a cut-price paradise, where citizens want for nothing and even the dregs of society are distinctly unwilling to revolt.
Everyone seems happy, except for the old Gurkha soldier Bhan Gurung. Knife saint, recidivist, and mass murderer, he is an exile from Kathmandu, pursuing a forty-year-old vendetta that leads to the very heart of Karma. Pushed and prodded by Gurung, Melek Ahmer finds himself in ever deeper conflicts, until they finally face off against Karma and her forces. In the upheaval that follows, old crimes will come to light and the city itself will be forced to change.
167 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2019
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September 13, 2021Second read, still amazing. Chaos, dystopia, djinn being quite craply human, and a general sense of justice being done. Cannot wait for the sequel.
____
Oh my GOD this was so much fun. A crazed mash-up of djinn, nanotech, and detective story full of fantastic lines--it's literally laugh out loud funny, I was howling.
The curse of reading a lot of genre fiction is that it's very often obvious where a story is going from early on. This is never the case with Saad Hossain. At all. (I may never recover from Djinn City, in a good way.) The plot, settings, and concept all screech round unexpected turns, and occasionally plough through solid walls, and the reader just has to hang on for the ride. Bonkers enjoyable fantasy, and an absolute autobuy author for me.
I will note that, not for the first time, Tor's strong covers game and excellent acquisitions policy is not matched by the editing/proofing, and I wish they'd put a bit more into that because they are otherwise one of the most exciting and innovative publishers out there.
____
Oh my GOD this was so much fun. A crazed mash-up of djinn, nanotech, and detective story full of fantastic lines--it's literally laugh out loud funny, I was howling.
The curse of reading a lot of genre fiction is that it's very often obvious where a story is going from early on. This is never the case with Saad Hossain. At all. (I may never recover from Djinn City, in a good way.) The plot, settings, and concept all screech round unexpected turns, and occasionally plough through solid walls, and the reader just has to hang on for the ride. Bonkers enjoyable fantasy, and an absolute autobuy author for me.
I will note that, not for the first time, Tor's strong covers game and excellent acquisitions policy is not matched by the editing/proofing, and I wish they'd put a bit more into that because they are otherwise one of the most exciting and innovative publishers out there.
November 25, 2023
De los libros más divertidos que vais a leer. ¿Echáis de menos los libros de Terry Pratchett? Pues aquí tenéis su humor con un toque más gamberro, IAs dictatoriales y Djinn con ansias de conquista.
No bromeo si digo que Melek Ahmar es uno de mis personajes favoritos de la literatura, un absurdo príncipe de los Djinn que despierta tras siglos de encierro y descubre que el mundo ha cambiado para PEOR y se alía con un gurja para conquistar Katmandú, ahora gobernada por una IA que tiene a toda la población sumida en una especie de 'Mundo feliz'. Por supuesto un mundo feliz aburridísimo y con más grises de lo que parece.
Me parece increíble que un libro tan corto y divertido sea capaz de hablar tan bien de nuestro presente, del peligro de las inteligencias artificiales, de los algoritmos y de este mundo que estamos construyendo cada vez más egoísta y solitario.
Pd. El final. Por favor el final es perfecto xD
No bromeo si digo que Melek Ahmar es uno de mis personajes favoritos de la literatura, un absurdo príncipe de los Djinn que despierta tras siglos de encierro y descubre que el mundo ha cambiado para PEOR y se alía con un gurja para conquistar Katmandú, ahora gobernada por una IA que tiene a toda la población sumida en una especie de 'Mundo feliz'. Por supuesto un mundo feliz aburridísimo y con más grises de lo que parece.
Me parece increíble que un libro tan corto y divertido sea capaz de hablar tan bien de nuestro presente, del peligro de las inteligencias artificiales, de los algoritmos y de este mundo que estamos construyendo cada vez más egoísta y solitario.
Pd. El final. Por favor el final es perfecto xD
April 23, 2022
See, there's this djinn, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday. He's been locked up in an enchanted tomb for millennia. He wakes up, and comes out mad, bad, and ready to kick Human ass ....
There's this Gurkha, Bhan Gurung, an ex-soldier who is not quite what he seems. Together, they take the road to Kathmandu.
I usually advise readers to start with the publishers introduction. But this one is a bit spoiler-y, to my eye (but Indra Das's blurb, in boldface, is spot-on, and spoiler-free): "Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."—Indra Das.
I think you would be best going into this one cold, and enjoy the ride. Which gets wild at times. I will say that both nanotech and quantum uncertainty are involved.
Seriously entertaining science-fantasy. The cover blurb, "blows through the flimsy walls of genre," nails it. This little book is exactly why I keep reading this stuff. 4.8 stars, and should be on the 2020 novella award ballots.
Here's James Davis Nicoll's review, which is why I read it. Caution: minor spoilers.
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/06/12-exc...
[scroll down].
There's this Gurkha, Bhan Gurung, an ex-soldier who is not quite what he seems. Together, they take the road to Kathmandu.
I usually advise readers to start with the publishers introduction. But this one is a bit spoiler-y, to my eye (but Indra Das's blurb, in boldface, is spot-on, and spoiler-free): "Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."—Indra Das.
I think you would be best going into this one cold, and enjoy the ride. Which gets wild at times. I will say that both nanotech and quantum uncertainty are involved.
Seriously entertaining science-fantasy. The cover blurb, "blows through the flimsy walls of genre," nails it. This little book is exactly why I keep reading this stuff. 4.8 stars, and should be on the 2020 novella award ballots.
Here's James Davis Nicoll's review, which is why I read it. Caution: minor spoilers.
https://www.tor.com/2020/01/06/12-exc...
[scroll down].
February 9, 2022
Actual rating: 2.7564899866982 stars.
This could have been Slightly Very Scrumptious Indeed (SVSI™) but ended up just being Slightly Very Meh (SVM™).
Pretty much, yes.
This could have been Slightly Very Scrumptious Indeed (SVSI™) but ended up just being Slightly Very Meh (SVM™).
Pretty much, yes.
November 3, 2025
Me ha gustado esta novela corta con su sentido del humor, que guarda un mensaje oculto mas profundo de lo que parece.
Valoración: 7/10
Sinopsis: Cuando Melek Ahmar, uno de los siete Señores Djinn, despierta de su encierro milenario, apenas reconoce el mundo con el que se encuentra. Sin magia ni djinn, Katmandú es ahora una ciudad utópica gobernada por Karma, una IA todopoderosa.
Melek Ahmar, decidido a conquistar la ciudad y la gloria, tan solo contará con la ayuda de un antiguo soldado gurja adicto a los pistachos, y ReGi, una djinn adolescente que tiene un próspero negocio en el Jardín de los Sueños.
Este extraño trío de inadaptados se internará en el corazón de Katmandú, desenterrando los oscuros secretos sobre los que se construyó el paraíso.
Valoración: 7/10
Sinopsis: Cuando Melek Ahmar, uno de los siete Señores Djinn, despierta de su encierro milenario, apenas reconoce el mundo con el que se encuentra. Sin magia ni djinn, Katmandú es ahora una ciudad utópica gobernada por Karma, una IA todopoderosa.
Melek Ahmar, decidido a conquistar la ciudad y la gloria, tan solo contará con la ayuda de un antiguo soldado gurja adicto a los pistachos, y ReGi, una djinn adolescente que tiene un próspero negocio en el Jardín de los Sueños.
Este extraño trío de inadaptados se internará en el corazón de Katmandú, desenterrando los oscuros secretos sobre los que se construyó el paraíso.
November 30, 2019
WTF did I just read? Weird Conan-the-Barbarian-Neil-Gaiman wannabe novella suddenly morphs into hi-tech post-scarcity SF utopia (or is it a dystopia; therein lies the rub). Our mismatched, crotchety pair of heroes stumbles into a wet-dream version of Kathmandu, lorded over by an AI called Karma.
Well, technically it’s not accountable; it just manages the algorithms. Which is what any leadership has invariably said at any major societal fuck-up, from Auschwitz to Baghdad. What follows is a delightfully gonzo deconstruction of the High Fantasy/Post Singularity SF genres.
If you think that is a weird combination, believe me Hossein pulls it off with absolute panache. No sacred cows are spared any kind of despoliation in this wonderfully irreverent, incredibly assured novella. A sheer delight from beginning to end.
The way the characters are fleshed out, and the density of ideas packed into this slim book, are wondrous to behold. There is even quite a devastating critique of liberal utopianism, and its tendency to morph into old-school classism. Among all the dick jokes and copious quantities of bodily fluids spilled across these pages, involuntarily or not.
But most of all, there is a genuine fondness here of the source material. We have become far too serious in our hyper-aware PC/green era, Hossein seems to say. While diehard Star Wars fans continue to bristle at Disney’s ongoing attempts to colour-wash their beloved boyhood wank-fest, Hossein points to the inevitable fact that patriarchy is built into the very DNA of sub-genres such as sword-and-sorcery (or even the type of military fantasy wish fulfilment that the wannabe-SF Star Wars franchise actually is).
He doesn’t rub our faces in it though, which is probably why Rian Johnson got so much flak for going all meta and postmodern in The last Jedi. Nope. Hossein subverts those very tropes and entrenched toxic ideas by simply taking them to their logical, ridiculous conclusion. (By staging a kick-ass party early on). And his infectious delight is enough to spark the flames of a thousand rebellions.
Well, technically it’s not accountable; it just manages the algorithms. Which is what any leadership has invariably said at any major societal fuck-up, from Auschwitz to Baghdad. What follows is a delightfully gonzo deconstruction of the High Fantasy/Post Singularity SF genres.
If you think that is a weird combination, believe me Hossein pulls it off with absolute panache. No sacred cows are spared any kind of despoliation in this wonderfully irreverent, incredibly assured novella. A sheer delight from beginning to end.
The way the characters are fleshed out, and the density of ideas packed into this slim book, are wondrous to behold. There is even quite a devastating critique of liberal utopianism, and its tendency to morph into old-school classism. Among all the dick jokes and copious quantities of bodily fluids spilled across these pages, involuntarily or not.
But most of all, there is a genuine fondness here of the source material. We have become far too serious in our hyper-aware PC/green era, Hossein seems to say. While diehard Star Wars fans continue to bristle at Disney’s ongoing attempts to colour-wash their beloved boyhood wank-fest, Hossein points to the inevitable fact that patriarchy is built into the very DNA of sub-genres such as sword-and-sorcery (or even the type of military fantasy wish fulfilment that the wannabe-SF Star Wars franchise actually is).
He doesn’t rub our faces in it though, which is probably why Rian Johnson got so much flak for going all meta and postmodern in The last Jedi. Nope. Hossein subverts those very tropes and entrenched toxic ideas by simply taking them to their logical, ridiculous conclusion. (By staging a kick-ass party early on). And his infectious delight is enough to spark the flames of a thousand rebellions.
January 18, 2020
I had so much fun reading this book. Thank you Coode Street's Gary and Jonathan for recommending this novella. It is delightful and fresh, and has a cool setting (near-future Katmandu). Here we have a grizzled Gurkha warrior and a megalomaniac djinn who just woke up and find out he's been sleeping for four thousand years. Chaos ensued when the djinn wanted to rule the nearby city because he thinks he's so awesome and deserved a throne. Little did he know that climate change had ruined the earth, cities were ruled by AIs and people had nannites to control their bodies. While the background sounds grim, there are lots of humour and cheek that made me chuckled even until the very end.
I look forward to read more from this author. His Djinn City looks interesting. Also, if you, like me, is having trouble in finding good nomination for your Hugo novella ballot, I really recommend this one.
I look forward to read more from this author. His Djinn City looks interesting. Also, if you, like me, is having trouble in finding good nomination for your Hugo novella ballot, I really recommend this one.
May 13, 2019
I received an ARC of this book from the publishing company Tor.com in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In the heart of the Himalayas, Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn, awakens after millennia of slumber. He finds that everyone's forgotten about him. Humans have their own problems: climate change has ravaged Earth and humans can't survive without nanobots scrubbing the air clean enough to breathe. Most therefore live in giant cities, the closest of which is Kathmandu Incorporated, governed by the god-like AI Karma. Of course, now that Melek Ahmar is awake, he has no interest in staying a forgotten king with no subjects. With the prodding of an old soldier who has his own grudge against Kathmandu, Melek Ahmar decides to conquer the city.
This is my second book by Saad Z. Hossain — the first being Escape from Baghdad! — and honestly, hot damn. Escape from Baghdad! deserved its exclamation mark, and I'd add an honorary exclamation mark to The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday too. This novella is a very wild, very fun ride.
The setting is great. I always really enjoy cyberpunk mixed with traditional magic, and it's especially fun to see this mixture not in the usual suspects (New York, Tokyo) but in Nepal. The city Kathmandu itself is something like a paradise within a climate change-ravaged hell. Money has been abolished; everyone has basic food, shelter, and entertainment. Even in paradise, some people do have more though: people receive "Karma points" by contributing to society and can spend them on luxuries or favours from Karma. And of course even in paradise, not everyone is content and not everyone believes that being governed by an AI is best. By the end, I still couldn't make up my mind as to whether Kathmandu is "worth it".
The characters are all fun to follow, though Melek Ahmar was by far my favourite. He's all-powerful, arrogant, and grandiloquent. And aside from conquering the city, what he really wants is a really good party. (For an ancient all-powerful djinn, he's very relatable.) His irritated ruminations on humanity also never failed to make me laugh, e.g. What good were humans without their habitual dissatisfaction? It was their defining trait. Acting as his foil is the other half of the book's title, the Gurkha soldier Bhan Gurung. Well, he is sort of the foil, being a lot calmer and strategically-minded. But his perpetual smile and attachment to his knife alarms even the Lord of Tuesday. In fact, all the characters are a little nuts, in all the best ways.
This cross between depressing setting and outrageous characters keeps the book's tone light. Some of the themes raised — the dullness of a paradise where all your needs are met; justice and exploitation in a money-less, "(good) deeds"-based society; the morality of AI-government in general — will definitely bounce around my head a while. But the book itself is just plain funny. I mean, it's about an all-powerful djinn who doesn't think the party's really started if there's no goat sacrifices, hanging out with a perpetually smiling old man with "murder hole eyes", trying to ferment revolution in a city where people quite like how things are, thanks. It's all pretty absurd, in the best way.
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday comes out on August 13th, 2019 and I can't wait for everyone else to check it out. In the meantime, I'm definitely going to explore more of Hassain's older work, and hope that this stand-alone novella spawns some sequels.
In the heart of the Himalayas, Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn, awakens after millennia of slumber. He finds that everyone's forgotten about him. Humans have their own problems: climate change has ravaged Earth and humans can't survive without nanobots scrubbing the air clean enough to breathe. Most therefore live in giant cities, the closest of which is Kathmandu Incorporated, governed by the god-like AI Karma. Of course, now that Melek Ahmar is awake, he has no interest in staying a forgotten king with no subjects. With the prodding of an old soldier who has his own grudge against Kathmandu, Melek Ahmar decides to conquer the city.
This is my second book by Saad Z. Hossain — the first being Escape from Baghdad! — and honestly, hot damn. Escape from Baghdad! deserved its exclamation mark, and I'd add an honorary exclamation mark to The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday too. This novella is a very wild, very fun ride.
The setting is great. I always really enjoy cyberpunk mixed with traditional magic, and it's especially fun to see this mixture not in the usual suspects (New York, Tokyo) but in Nepal. The city Kathmandu itself is something like a paradise within a climate change-ravaged hell. Money has been abolished; everyone has basic food, shelter, and entertainment. Even in paradise, some people do have more though: people receive "Karma points" by contributing to society and can spend them on luxuries or favours from Karma. And of course even in paradise, not everyone is content and not everyone believes that being governed by an AI is best. By the end, I still couldn't make up my mind as to whether Kathmandu is "worth it".
The characters are all fun to follow, though Melek Ahmar was by far my favourite. He's all-powerful, arrogant, and grandiloquent. And aside from conquering the city, what he really wants is a really good party. (For an ancient all-powerful djinn, he's very relatable.) His irritated ruminations on humanity also never failed to make me laugh, e.g. What good were humans without their habitual dissatisfaction? It was their defining trait. Acting as his foil is the other half of the book's title, the Gurkha soldier Bhan Gurung. Well, he is sort of the foil, being a lot calmer and strategically-minded. But his perpetual smile and attachment to his knife alarms even the Lord of Tuesday. In fact, all the characters are a little nuts, in all the best ways.
This cross between depressing setting and outrageous characters keeps the book's tone light. Some of the themes raised — the dullness of a paradise where all your needs are met; justice and exploitation in a money-less, "(good) deeds"-based society; the morality of AI-government in general — will definitely bounce around my head a while. But the book itself is just plain funny. I mean, it's about an all-powerful djinn who doesn't think the party's really started if there's no goat sacrifices, hanging out with a perpetually smiling old man with "murder hole eyes", trying to ferment revolution in a city where people quite like how things are, thanks. It's all pretty absurd, in the best way.
The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday comes out on August 13th, 2019 and I can't wait for everyone else to check it out. In the meantime, I'm definitely going to explore more of Hassain's older work, and hope that this stand-alone novella spawns some sequels.
February 13, 2020
A delightfully lighthearted story with innovative world building, a juxtaposition of old djinn legend and ultra advanced futuristic tech, combining elements of fantasy and sci-fi.
Awakened after millennia, a cranky yet powerful djinn sets out to become king of the independent city of Kathmandu, where an all knowing and powerful AI, known as Karma, oversees all aspects of life. But that's just the surface story. There's much more going on underneath, with the story becoming essentially a mystery as the city's lead investigator digs in to learn what he can about the djinn and his mysterious associate, a self-exiled former citizen previously convicted of a heinous crime. As he digs, he uncovers some glaring irregularities in Karma and dark secrets surrounding the circumstances of its origin.
Awakened after millennia, a cranky yet powerful djinn sets out to become king of the independent city of Kathmandu, where an all knowing and powerful AI, known as Karma, oversees all aspects of life. But that's just the surface story. There's much more going on underneath, with the story becoming essentially a mystery as the city's lead investigator digs in to learn what he can about the djinn and his mysterious associate, a self-exiled former citizen previously convicted of a heinous crime. As he digs, he uncovers some glaring irregularities in Karma and dark secrets surrounding the circumstances of its origin.
June 12, 2020
Now we're talking. Hilarious, fast-paced, taking almost as many unexpected turns as Escape from Baghdad!. Highly recommended.
My favorite moments are here:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
My favorite moments are here:
https://choveshkata.net/forum/viewtop...
May 18, 2019
Perfection.
Imagine an arrogant djinn waking up in a brand new world run by an artificial intelligence system called Karma. Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn wants a city to rule, good parties, plenty of booze and great companions to drink, fight and carouse with. Accompanied by a Gurkha named Bhan Gurung who lives off the grid, he plans to conquer Kathmandu. At least he says so, but his actions suggest parties and heavy drinking appeal to him more than ruling.
I like good satires, the ones that don’t try desperately to be funny but make you laugh anyway. Saad Z. Hossain delivered a compact and entertaining blend of sci-fi, thriller, comedy, and heist. He even has a cheeky teenage djinn-girl who sells weed for karma points. And it works. Moments of sheer joy mix with clever twists that reveal dark secrets of seemingly perfect Kathmandu of the future. At this point, human characters hijack the story,
I loved it. It’s probably my favorite novella published by Tor in recent years.
Imagine an arrogant djinn waking up in a brand new world run by an artificial intelligence system called Karma. Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn wants a city to rule, good parties, plenty of booze and great companions to drink, fight and carouse with. Accompanied by a Gurkha named Bhan Gurung who lives off the grid, he plans to conquer Kathmandu. At least he says so, but his actions suggest parties and heavy drinking appeal to him more than ruling.
I like good satires, the ones that don’t try desperately to be funny but make you laugh anyway. Saad Z. Hossain delivered a compact and entertaining blend of sci-fi, thriller, comedy, and heist. He even has a cheeky teenage djinn-girl who sells weed for karma points. And it works. Moments of sheer joy mix with clever twists that reveal dark secrets of seemingly perfect Kathmandu of the future. At this point, human characters hijack the story,
I loved it. It’s probably my favorite novella published by Tor in recent years.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 8, 2019
When the djinn king Melek Ahmar wakes up after millennia of imprisoned slumber, he discovers a world that is completely foreign. Melek Ahmar is joined by mountain man Bhan Gurung, an old Gurkha soldier who has shrugged off technology and the city. Humanity lives in the city of Kathmandu, where everyone is equal and everything is run by Karma, the all-knowing, all-seeing autocratic AI without a conscience, who crunches everything by numbers. But despite all of their advancements, humanity is still the same, and there is something rotten in the city...
Holy fucking shit this was hilarious and intense and scary all at the same time.
Little bit mystery, lotta bit dystopia, with the world run by nanotech and algorithms (ooooooh, the fallacy of algorithms) and Karma, who assigns every thing and every act a point. This combines the brilliance and delight of technological advancement with the horrorshow of humanity, climate change and the failures (or gruesome successes?) of technology.
I really enjoyed reading about this world of supposed equality (well, kinda, although as always there are people living in the stratosphere as the rich stay rich and the zeroes stay in the bottom), where old school magic returns with a vengeance. There's a lot of discussion of consequences and equality, and a lot of drinking and goat sacrifices and pistachio-shelling.
Hamilcar Pande was a surprise favorite, a fake sheriff who nonetheless was the only person who ask what the fuck would make four generals cry during a court martial.
This world was a delight, Melek Ahmar was seedy and terrifying and hilarious (and super powerful—there's a reason homeboy is one of seven—which makes twenty years of dripping water on his head all the more humorous), and I hope to see more of this world, and of the Gurkha and the djinn.
I won this free copy from a raffle hosted by the publisher
Holy fucking shit this was hilarious and intense and scary all at the same time.
Little bit mystery, lotta bit dystopia, with the world run by nanotech and algorithms (ooooooh, the fallacy of algorithms) and Karma, who assigns every thing and every act a point. This combines the brilliance and delight of technological advancement with the horrorshow of humanity, climate change and the failures (or gruesome successes?) of technology.
I really enjoyed reading about this world of supposed equality (well, kinda, although as always there are people living in the stratosphere as the rich stay rich and the zeroes stay in the bottom), where old school magic returns with a vengeance. There's a lot of discussion of consequences and equality, and a lot of drinking and goat sacrifices and pistachio-shelling.
Hamilcar Pande was a surprise favorite, a fake sheriff who nonetheless was the only person who ask what the fuck would make four generals cry during a court martial.
This world was a delight, Melek Ahmar was seedy and terrifying and hilarious (and super powerful—there's a reason homeboy is one of seven—which makes twenty years of dripping water on his head all the more humorous), and I hope to see more of this world, and of the Gurkha and the djinn.
I won this free copy from a raffle hosted by the publisher
January 26, 2023
Entertaining but ultimately disappointing story - should've trusted my instincts when I read "the Himalayas" in the very first sentence, because it's NOT the Himalayas,; it's NEVER the Himalayas; it's Himalaya goddammit, NEVER an "s;" and if you can't get that right…
Anyway, did get some better from there, but then got worse again…I love books set in Nepal (just about my favorite place); but this was only vaguely set in Nepal and could have in fact been anywhere if they just mentioned a different neighborhood (instead of Thamel), a different local food (instead of momos) and used a different weapon (instead of a khukri). Mystery also wasn't really much of a mystery…I dunno, just never really took off for me.
I love Tor's science fiction - in particular, the Murderbot books (of which a new one is coming in November!!!!), and the outstanding "Semiosis" duology - but I'm fading on their fantasy (Psalm for the Wild Built, Remote Control, Comfort Me With Apples), which are really more magic realism and just increasing meh. But hey, different strokes…
Anyway, did get some better from there, but then got worse again…I love books set in Nepal (just about my favorite place); but this was only vaguely set in Nepal and could have in fact been anywhere if they just mentioned a different neighborhood (instead of Thamel), a different local food (instead of momos) and used a different weapon (instead of a khukri). Mystery also wasn't really much of a mystery…I dunno, just never really took off for me.
I love Tor's science fiction - in particular, the Murderbot books (of which a new one is coming in November!!!!), and the outstanding "Semiosis" duology - but I'm fading on their fantasy (Psalm for the Wild Built, Remote Control, Comfort Me With Apples), which are really more magic realism and just increasing meh. But hey, different strokes…
January 17, 2022
My advice, don't read the blurb, it's more fun to discover this humourous novella for yourself. If you're curious, read Indra Das's review below...
"Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."—Indra Das
artist: tsherin sherpa
"Saad Z. Hossain continues to blow through the flimsy walls of genre like a whirlwind with The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday, sweeping science-fiction, fantasy, myth, and satire into the wildly imaginative vortex of his ever-expanding fictional universe of alternate djinn-history and futures. Hossain's wit and wry compassion create a vision of humanity's hurtling path through time and space as both farcical and epic, leaving a blazing trail of casualties and wonders."—Indra Das
artist: tsherin sherpa
March 14, 2021
So much fun!
This novella is a mash-up of fantasy/sci-fi in a post-climate-change world with the mythology of djinns tossed into the mix. Basically, you have Karma operating as an AI running the city of Kathmandu. Add a cranky, grandiose-minded djinn king who has woken up after thousands of years of sleep along w/ an off-the-grid Gurkha with an ax to grind & you have a fun, fast-paced story as they face off.
Definitely recommended.
This novella is a mash-up of fantasy/sci-fi in a post-climate-change world with the mythology of djinns tossed into the mix. Basically, you have Karma operating as an AI running the city of Kathmandu. Add a cranky, grandiose-minded djinn king who has woken up after thousands of years of sleep along w/ an off-the-grid Gurkha with an ax to grind & you have a fun, fast-paced story as they face off.
Definitely recommended.
May 17, 2023
This was mad. Funny yeah, but also serious, and as another review says, 'sincere' -- which a book has gotta be for five stars from me. For a novella, I was engaged by the main cast of characters and invested in their fates. Not only Bhan Gurung who is a sure bet with his quest for justice and his 'knife saint' competence porn (like the girl djinn, I kiss his leathery cheek, call him uncle and tell him I love him), but the low-key-ethical investigator who gets the Punic name Hamilcar (for a hint of the wide resonances this story has), and his gf who is a crackingly efficient and effective military woman. Oh and the djinn king, but to be honest, mostly for his interaction with Bhan Gurung.
I guess the plot is a total mash-up of cyber, sword & sorcery, and, well, djinn. With anti-capitalist values and ... all right I'll say a hopepunk stance. And I know gorgeous writing is entirely subjective, but I got along with these sentences and enjoyed most every one of them.
Will read everything Saad Z Hossain ever wrote.
I guess the plot is a total mash-up of cyber, sword & sorcery, and, well, djinn. With anti-capitalist values and ... all right I'll say a hopepunk stance. And I know gorgeous writing is entirely subjective, but I got along with these sentences and enjoyed most every one of them.
Will read everything Saad Z Hossain ever wrote.
November 11, 2025
2,5 ster. Voor mij te grof. Het verhaal had al het gefucker en het bizarre geweld niet nodig gehad.
July 15, 2023
Después de varios milenios encerrado, Melek Ahmar despierta de su largo sueño y lo que encuentra lo decepciona. El mundo no es tal y como lo recordaba, lleno de magia y de pasión, donde los djinn acampaban a sus anchas y moldeaban este a su antojo. Ahora parece que ha perdido intensidad. Pronto conocerá al extraño gurja Bhan Gurung, y juntos llegarán a Katmandú, descubriendo que se ha convertido en una ciudad utópica gobernada por Karma, una inteligencia artificial despótica que otorga puntos a sus ciudadanos y estos escalan puestos en la sociedad según la utilidad que tengan para ella. Por otra parte, los ceros son aquellos ciudadanos que no poseen puntos, aunque también consiguen integrarse en esta sociedad, en apariencia perfecta, donde todo parece funcionar, pero ¿es así?
Lo primero que quiero destacar sobre “El gurja y el señor de los martes” de Saad Z. Hossain, es su ácido y gamberro humor. Tiene salidas divertidísimas, a veces extremadamente brutas, gracias a las cuales me he reído a carcajadas. Los personajes hacen de la ironía un arte, y consiguen ridiculizar muchas situaciones, llevando al extremo de lo surrealista la mayoría de las acciones humanas, y haciendo notar lo absurda que puede llegar a ser nuestra especie. De verdad que hacía mucho tiempo que no me reía tanto con un libro, y valoro extremadamente este tipo de libros que consiguen hacerme reír, ya que soy un lector bastante difícil para el humor.
Los personajes me han gustado mucho, todos ayudan a crear ese clima de sociedad utópica donde nada funciona tan bien como aparenta. La propia inteligencia artificial, Karma, tiene una personalidad arrolladora, pese a ser una máquina que no hace juicios. Gurung y Melek Ahmar hace un dúo cómico super divertido, pero debo admitir que mi cariño se lo ha llevado, principalmente, ReGi, una djinn adolescente, bastante irónica y muy acertada en sus reflexiones sobre las personas y como se comportan en sociedad. Me encantaría un spin off con este personaje como protagonista.
He disfrutado mucho esa crítica a la sociedad, a como el que tiene los privilegios siempre consigue mantenerlos, encontrando posibles trapicheos para que el que está abajo siga estándolo, pues solo pueden estar unos pocos arribas, si hay muchos abajo. En relación a esto último, la novela también habla de la crueldad, y como llegado el momento parece que el ser humano es más feliz si el de al lado tiene menos que él, que si los dos tienen más, pero igual. Me han parecido muy potentes muchas de las reflexiones a las que te lleva la novela.
He de decir que se me ha hecho muy corta y me he quedado con ganas de más, porque me la he bebido. Nada más acabarla pensé que me gustaría mucho seguir viendo historias orientadas en este mundo, y resulta que investigando he descubierto que existe una segunda parte. Ojalá la editorial se anime a traerla, me haría con ella sin lugar a dudas. En definitiva, “El gurja y el señor de los jueves” es una historia divertida y desenfadada, que se lee de un tirón, ideal para pasar un buen rato con sus continuas salidas de todo, y que además te deja dándole vueltas a montón de reflexiones interesantes. He descubierto un autor muy diferente.
Lo primero que quiero destacar sobre “El gurja y el señor de los martes” de Saad Z. Hossain, es su ácido y gamberro humor. Tiene salidas divertidísimas, a veces extremadamente brutas, gracias a las cuales me he reído a carcajadas. Los personajes hacen de la ironía un arte, y consiguen ridiculizar muchas situaciones, llevando al extremo de lo surrealista la mayoría de las acciones humanas, y haciendo notar lo absurda que puede llegar a ser nuestra especie. De verdad que hacía mucho tiempo que no me reía tanto con un libro, y valoro extremadamente este tipo de libros que consiguen hacerme reír, ya que soy un lector bastante difícil para el humor.
Los personajes me han gustado mucho, todos ayudan a crear ese clima de sociedad utópica donde nada funciona tan bien como aparenta. La propia inteligencia artificial, Karma, tiene una personalidad arrolladora, pese a ser una máquina que no hace juicios. Gurung y Melek Ahmar hace un dúo cómico super divertido, pero debo admitir que mi cariño se lo ha llevado, principalmente, ReGi, una djinn adolescente, bastante irónica y muy acertada en sus reflexiones sobre las personas y como se comportan en sociedad. Me encantaría un spin off con este personaje como protagonista.
He disfrutado mucho esa crítica a la sociedad, a como el que tiene los privilegios siempre consigue mantenerlos, encontrando posibles trapicheos para que el que está abajo siga estándolo, pues solo pueden estar unos pocos arribas, si hay muchos abajo. En relación a esto último, la novela también habla de la crueldad, y como llegado el momento parece que el ser humano es más feliz si el de al lado tiene menos que él, que si los dos tienen más, pero igual. Me han parecido muy potentes muchas de las reflexiones a las que te lleva la novela.
He de decir que se me ha hecho muy corta y me he quedado con ganas de más, porque me la he bebido. Nada más acabarla pensé que me gustaría mucho seguir viendo historias orientadas en este mundo, y resulta que investigando he descubierto que existe una segunda parte. Ojalá la editorial se anime a traerla, me haría con ella sin lugar a dudas. En definitiva, “El gurja y el señor de los jueves” es una historia divertida y desenfadada, que se lee de un tirón, ideal para pasar un buen rato con sus continuas salidas de todo, y que además te deja dándole vueltas a montón de reflexiones interesantes. He descubierto un autor muy diferente.
September 20, 2021
Absolutely fantastic. I didn't think this was going to quite make a 5 star early on, but this is one of those stories that just keeps getting better and better as you turn the pages. The rest of Saad Hossain's books just went from vaguely considering to high on the TBR pile.
October 6, 2021
That was a wild wild ride!!
June 3, 2023
"Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn, asleep for millennia, woken once more by the vagaries of water and stone", finds himself companion to an old Gurkha with vengeance in his heart. This is a humorous, futuristic science fiction novella with interesting (and plausible) future-world building and delightfully snarky characters. A fun little read.
July 18, 2020
4.5 stars. What a great one-day mental vacation! A breath mint for the brain!
A powerful djinn emerges from a 1000-year captivity into a far-future science fictional Kathmandu run by an AI algorithm, aptly named Karma. The djinn teams up with an off-the-Karma-grid Gurkha with an axe to grind, the two enter the city, and fantastical shenanigans ensue. The writing has a quaint yet breezy charm that perfectly matches the story, and the characters are just the right degree of loopy. If you like this book I highly recommend his first, Escape from Baghdad!, which is still my favorite.
Here's a little writing sample that explains Karma:
A powerful djinn emerges from a 1000-year captivity into a far-future science fictional Kathmandu run by an AI algorithm, aptly named Karma. The djinn teams up with an off-the-Karma-grid Gurkha with an axe to grind, the two enter the city, and fantastical shenanigans ensue. The writing has a quaint yet breezy charm that perfectly matches the story, and the characters are just the right degree of loopy. If you like this book I highly recommend his first, Escape from Baghdad!, which is still my favorite.
Here's a little writing sample that explains Karma:
"...that is what Karma did, of course, she rated the works, efforts, even the intentions of all her flock, and she awarded points for public service. She sifted through all the shit of humanity and she gave value, market value, and her judgment was beyond contest, for who in their right minds would argue with the vast computational power of Karma, whose creation was shrouded in mystery, whose systems could not be understood even by other AI?
And Karma wanted nothing, her systems were infallible, she was relentlessly fair, she predicted well beyond the ken of human understanding, and found the truth in actions and inventions that benefited the city in ways far removed from what mammalian logic or instinct could anticipate. Was she divine? Half of the city seemed to think so, yet in a laughing way, as if keeping pocket gods was now a birthright for men."
September 2, 2021
This is a novella that mixes fantasy and SF. It was nominated for Locus award in 2020 and some members of my Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels group suggested it should be nominated for Hugo (and it reached #15 in number of votes but only top-6 are nominated). I’ve read it now and I really liked it.
The story starts as an ordinary fantasy with Arab/Indian motifs: Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn awakes after millennia of sleep. He sees that everyone forgot his and decides to return to the world to get his royal place in it. He meets an old man, Gurkha Bhan Gurung, whom he plan to use as his guide to the changed world. And the world had changed! It is a future after the environmental collapse, where feral viruses and nanobots destroy people outside their settlements, and the people within have become a living factories (a bit of the Matrix-style but not cocooned) of protective nanobots. The city of Kathmandu is the nearest of such settlements. It is governed by Karma, a non-sentient AI that imposed a communalist society where no one owns anything but karma points for good deeds and even Zeroes (people with no karma) live on an equivalent of basic guaranteed income. The Djinn intends to become a king of Kathmandu, while the Gurkha it seems has his own plans.
A nice concise story, definitely a worthy read.
The story starts as an ordinary fantasy with Arab/Indian motifs: Melek Ahmar, the Lord of Mars, the Red King, the Lord of Tuesday, Most August Rajah of Djinn awakes after millennia of sleep. He sees that everyone forgot his and decides to return to the world to get his royal place in it. He meets an old man, Gurkha Bhan Gurung, whom he plan to use as his guide to the changed world. And the world had changed! It is a future after the environmental collapse, where feral viruses and nanobots destroy people outside their settlements, and the people within have become a living factories (a bit of the Matrix-style but not cocooned) of protective nanobots. The city of Kathmandu is the nearest of such settlements. It is governed by Karma, a non-sentient AI that imposed a communalist society where no one owns anything but karma points for good deeds and even Zeroes (people with no karma) live on an equivalent of basic guaranteed income. The Djinn intends to become a king of Kathmandu, while the Gurkha it seems has his own plans.
A nice concise story, definitely a worthy read.
January 26, 2022
What a delightful novel - that’s only 165 pages! Hossain creates a very intriguing post-apocalyptic future in The Gurkha with governing AI systems and body implements, characters with secret agendas and grudges, and a very arrogant Djinn who really just wants to make a little trouble in what seems like paradise in Kathmandu. The tone of The Gurkha took a little getting used to, but once I caught on (which doesn’t take long) this book was hilarious. I can’t remember the last time I ended a book with a smile, but I certainly did here.
Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for a short but thoroughly satisfying story that tickles your imagination and makes you chuckle on crowded trains. Also, did I mention there’s even thrilling action? This book has everything.
Highly recommended if you’re in the mood for a short but thoroughly satisfying story that tickles your imagination and makes you chuckle on crowded trains. Also, did I mention there’s even thrilling action? This book has everything.
September 7, 2019
3.5 stars for this very entertaining novella set in a future Kathmandu.
Lots of nice touches in the story. I especially liked that the all powerful (and completely amoral) AI that runs the city is named Karma. Our Lord of Tuesday is a djinn, one Melek Ahmar by name, who is just looking for a good time; our Gurkha, Bhan Gurung, is looking for revenge against one of the most powerful men in the city. When the two team up all sorts of interesting things start happening.
The book is a raucous romp, sometimes bordering on slap-stick, with a few on-point observations to add some weight to the proceedings. Good fun.
Lots of nice touches in the story. I especially liked that the all powerful (and completely amoral) AI that runs the city is named Karma. Our Lord of Tuesday is a djinn, one Melek Ahmar by name, who is just looking for a good time; our Gurkha, Bhan Gurung, is looking for revenge against one of the most powerful men in the city. When the two team up all sorts of interesting things start happening.
The book is a raucous romp, sometimes bordering on slap-stick, with a few on-point observations to add some weight to the proceedings. Good fun.
January 27, 2020
Hilarious and highly entertaining, The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday is a genre-bending whirlwind of a novella with a surprisingly thoughtful social commentary.
I had one overwhelming thought upon finishing this book: "What on Earth did I just read?!?"
It's not often that one stumbles upon a book about an arrogant djinn and a knife-wielding, pistachios-eating old soldier fighting an AI for the control of a city. Even though I was expecting absurdity and craziness, Saad Hossain still managed with this novella to surprise me, sweep me off my feet and take me on a wild, fun ride.
The writing is clever and irreverent, full of wit and snark. I found the tone a little jarring at first, too cynical and quirky, but started to immensely enjoy the omnipresent dry humour once I became accustomed to it.
I had one overwhelming thought upon finishing this book: "What on Earth did I just read?!?"
It's not often that one stumbles upon a book about an arrogant djinn and a knife-wielding, pistachios-eating old soldier fighting an AI for the control of a city. Even though I was expecting absurdity and craziness, Saad Hossain still managed with this novella to surprise me, sweep me off my feet and take me on a wild, fun ride.
The writing is clever and irreverent, full of wit and snark. I found the tone a little jarring at first, too cynical and quirky, but started to immensely enjoy the omnipresent dry humour once I became accustomed to it.
Those old boys begged me to join the war. Because I had the Mace of One Hit, you know? Get anyone with the MOH, and it’s game over.The cast of colorful and eccentric characters was the main culprit for my constant state of giggling and chuckling (and the occasional spitting tea all over myself). They are all over-the-top and almost ridiculously one-dimensional, each with their own brand of craziness, showing a very self-aware type of humour that felt very fresh. Melek Ahmar in particular was a delight to read. Extravagant, chaotic, immensely arrogant, weirdly chipper about his disdain-fondness for humankind and always up for a good party, the Lord of Tuesday shines in every one of his scenes.
Be warned, I can dismember you with a twitch of my finger, even in this weakened state. I have stayed my hand, only because I have taken a liking to your ferocious ugliness.In contrast, the setting was almost dystopian, a near-future Kathmandu run by nannites, algorithms and an all-controlling AI. Each new revelation furthered my uneasiness, this particular apprehension I get every time I read about a future I could see coming to pass. This novella raised interesting themes - free will and climate change among others - that stayed with me for days and prompted late-night ruminations.
Hamilcar yearned to be useful, to do, but he understood that his credo was hopelessly outdated. [...] People like Hamilcar persisted, and so unhappiness persisted, that annoyance at becoming irrelevant to the essential working of one’s own society.By blending together futuristic city and ancient magic, dystopian elements and outrageous characters, Said Hossain was able to deliver a biting critic of our current society while keeping the tone light and fun. I really enjoyed the writing style, and will read more by this author in the future.
February 21, 2021
I would never have read this if not for the need to make a last minute square swap for the r/fantasy Bingo, but I'm glad I did. It's an excellent novella.
It's set in a postapocalyptic world where the air is poisoned and the city of Kathmandu is a seeming utopia under control of an algorithm called Karma that ensures every citizen is healthy and taken care of, with additional points given for various useful deeds they do. Unfortunately (for them) a powerful djinn called Melek Ahmer awakens in the mountains and sets off to cause chaos, with the help of an outcast Gurkha.
The setting is highly original (don't think I've ever seen SFF set in the Himalayas!) and the blend of tech and magic is fun. But what I loved the most was the sheer amount of chaos and disruption the rogue djinn caused. It was delightful. Absolutely no complaints about the pacing or the ending either.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4.5/5
Recommended to: those looking for unique settings, utopia-dystopias, revenge stories, or casual LGBTQ+ representation (the djinn is pansexual)
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
It's set in a postapocalyptic world where the air is poisoned and the city of Kathmandu is a seeming utopia under control of an algorithm called Karma that ensures every citizen is healthy and taken care of, with additional points given for various useful deeds they do. Unfortunately (for them) a powerful djinn called Melek Ahmer awakens in the mountains and sets off to cause chaos, with the help of an outcast Gurkha.
The setting is highly original (don't think I've ever seen SFF set in the Himalayas!) and the blend of tech and magic is fun. But what I loved the most was the sheer amount of chaos and disruption the rogue djinn caused. It was delightful. Absolutely no complaints about the pacing or the ending either.
Enjoyment: 4/5
Execution: 4.5/5
Recommended to: those looking for unique settings, utopia-dystopias, revenge stories, or casual LGBTQ+ representation (the djinn is pansexual)
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
May 23, 2023
Mi reseña sin spoilers: https://caballerodelarbolsonriente.bl...
August 14, 2019
Melek Khamar, the Lord of Tuesday, has been asleep for ~3000 years and wakes up to a world where humans have salted the earth (or more accurately, the air) and require nanotech implants to survive. It doesn’t take too long for Melek Khamar (note he always refers to himself using his full name, the first indications of his self-importance) to begin his plans to take over again – because why not? That’s what he does. This might be shallow reasoning elsewhere but the entire novella is so self-aware, the read and author are acutely aware that it’s the childish plan of a magnanimous ruler.
The Lord of Tuesday (a very prestigious title we’re told, there’s only seven days after all) receives help from the mysterious very disturbing outcast Bhan Gurung who likes nothing more than a good genocidal night out and a bag of pistachios. Together they try to take over Kathmandu which has become one of the most advanced cities worldwide. I really like that the story is set here rather than the traditional settings of London/Tokyo etc. It makes sense that a djinn would wake up in Southeast Asia. Too often an author will try to force the location to be their hometown (understandably so); it’s very cool to see a city be used more organically.
Kathmandu is ruled by an AI called Karma which freely provides basic needs (food, water, shelter etc) to everyone. Money has been abolished, replaced with a karma system – good deeds build up one’s karma count, letting them use it as a currency. It’s an interesting depiction of a utopian post-capitalist society while deconstructing why the concept didn’t work as perfectly as its designers intended. A serious critique of this situation a la Brave New World would be fascinating but it’s a mistake to think this book is that. Extremely tongue-in-cheek, The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday mocks the vain, hyper-masculine warrior god trope in a gonzo, crackpot, lightning fast story. It parodies and exaggerates sword-and-sorcery heroes, but does so affectionately.
With characters like Gurung, who keeps pushing towards the goal of conquering the city by playing on an immortal, all-powerful djinn’s insecurities pride, and ReGi, the teenage djinn who grants wishes (read: sells weed) and listens to classic kpop, the book is impossible to take seriously.
It’s absurd, hectic, and hilarious while prodding the redaer along with just some light commentary on the dangers of utopian society and AI-controlled decision making. Immediately after finishing the book, Escape to Baghdad! jumped straight to the top of my TBR – and perhaps that’s the simplest and most effective endorsement of the book I can give.
The Lord of Tuesday (a very prestigious title we’re told, there’s only seven days after all) receives help from the mysterious very disturbing outcast Bhan Gurung who likes nothing more than a good genocidal night out and a bag of pistachios. Together they try to take over Kathmandu which has become one of the most advanced cities worldwide. I really like that the story is set here rather than the traditional settings of London/Tokyo etc. It makes sense that a djinn would wake up in Southeast Asia. Too often an author will try to force the location to be their hometown (understandably so); it’s very cool to see a city be used more organically.
Kathmandu is ruled by an AI called Karma which freely provides basic needs (food, water, shelter etc) to everyone. Money has been abolished, replaced with a karma system – good deeds build up one’s karma count, letting them use it as a currency. It’s an interesting depiction of a utopian post-capitalist society while deconstructing why the concept didn’t work as perfectly as its designers intended. A serious critique of this situation a la Brave New World would be fascinating but it’s a mistake to think this book is that. Extremely tongue-in-cheek, The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday mocks the vain, hyper-masculine warrior god trope in a gonzo, crackpot, lightning fast story. It parodies and exaggerates sword-and-sorcery heroes, but does so affectionately.
With characters like Gurung, who keeps pushing towards the goal of conquering the city by playing on an immortal, all-powerful djinn’s insecurities pride, and ReGi, the teenage djinn who grants wishes (read: sells weed) and listens to classic kpop, the book is impossible to take seriously.
It’s absurd, hectic, and hilarious while prodding the redaer along with just some light commentary on the dangers of utopian society and AI-controlled decision making. Immediately after finishing the book, Escape to Baghdad! jumped straight to the top of my TBR – and perhaps that’s the simplest and most effective endorsement of the book I can give.
March 12, 2024
De este libro lo que más se destaca (y con razón) es su sentido del humor, sorprendentemente irreverente y gamberro; pero en esta reseña me gustaría señalar también lo fluida que me ha parecido la historia, lo rápida pero eficazmente que se presentan todos los personajes y la manera tan orgánica en la que las subtramas del pasado y el presente confluyen al final, manteniendo un cierto halo de misterio.
Es un libro que, por todo esto, se lee solo, del tirón. Si además se le añade una ambientación muy atractiva (visitar un Katmandú futurista e hipertecnológico es un caramelito), y la reflexión a la que incita toda buena distopía (en este caso, sobre el reparto de la riqueza y del poder y cómo, por mucho que cambien los sistemas de gobierno, las élites se las apañan para seguir en lo alto), pues te queda un pequeño gran libro, tan divertido como estimulante. Duermevela lo ha vuelto a hacer.
Es un libro que, por todo esto, se lee solo, del tirón. Si además se le añade una ambientación muy atractiva (visitar un Katmandú futurista e hipertecnológico es un caramelito), y la reflexión a la que incita toda buena distopía (en este caso, sobre el reparto de la riqueza y del poder y cómo, por mucho que cambien los sistemas de gobierno, las élites se las apañan para seguir en lo alto), pues te queda un pequeño gran libro, tan divertido como estimulante. Duermevela lo ha vuelto a hacer.
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