Call Me Al: The Hero's Ha-Ha Journey

by Sheheryar B. Sheikh

Altamaash the entertainer misstepped on to history s stage to become a politician and created a lifetime s worth of chaos and destruction in Pakistan.

Now exiled to a London mansion, abandoned even by sycophants, Al yearns to relive the glory days of his rise to power. But the old guard has passed, and the colonial hangover in his home country has almost disappeared. Democracy is taking root, and with it is coming a fragile stability to the Third World. In these times, Al s desire for doing his best -- what s worst for the rest of us -- flows into two acts of massive evil: one double-murder that shakes his own complacent party back to full attention; and a countrywide riot -- the biggest the world has ever witnessed.

All this Al orchestrates while perched luxuriously in exile in the UK. Woe to the day when he returns to claim the bloodstained crown. But cometh the hour, cometh the man!

Sheheryar B. Sheikh s new novel is a ripping rollercoaster ride through shenanigans of subcontinental politics that will keep you riveted.

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2019

Reviews

[Dhruv Naik · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK NAME – CALL ME AL (THE HERO’S HA-HA JOURNEY)
AUTHOR – SHEHERYAR B SHEIKH
PUBLISHERS – HARPER COLLINS INDIA

This book will take you through a breath-taking journey. Right from the very beginning, the author will keep you engaged through his masterful use of language and narration. The narration style is unique in itself. The reader will come across brilliant usages of vocabulary throughout the book (Might need the dictionary at some point) but it is commendable that there is not a single boring phase in the story.

Why is the narration style unique?

Because the book tracks the story of life and afterlife of three different persons.
(1) George Gary Gregory Jaffer – The past of Altamaash’s life (Al is Altamaash)
(2) Altamaash – The present and takes the book to its climax
(3) Edwin ‘Ned’ Steinberg – The future of Altamaash

But every single page is interconnected and will lead you beautifully through this piece of art.

The story begins with the double murder of GGGJ and Ned by the hands of Altamaash. Altamaash who has been exiled from Pakistan for years always looks for a chance to return to his home country, Complete his revenge with vengeance and rule the country. Thus, he plans a countrywide riot so that he can return as a savior of the masses.

Along with this, Sheheryar Sheikh also touches the always intriguing topic of Afterlife and God which should also earn him a round of applause because they have been handled tactfully. Overall must-read book, as it entertains and also provides with some much-needed food for thought

[Kiranmayi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2019/09/bo...


Altamaash referred as AL, is one of those who crossed border from Indian side to Pakistan during Partition and after spending his first few days in absolute despair, being treated badly in what he hoped was now his home, he decided to build his own kingdom for the sake of his fellow migrants. Thus AL turns into savior for those who were being ill-treated till then in the newly formed country. However, the current times have changed as AL is living in exile in the UK away from his past glory. But that's not the end, as AL yearns to go back to his home; what follows next is how he plans to bring back his glory days in homeland while being comfortable in exile.



The book is about a once notorious man now hiding from the limelight but is unable to forget his prime days. There is a charm to the narration and the humor is dark and engaging. While the book starts with the interview of AL by a journalist in UK, this incident is only the starting point of the action that follows next. Though the book has a slow start as the initial pages set the backdrop for what is about to come, once the story picks up, it is very entertaining.


The vocabulary might weigh down beginners at some places, but for readers looking for an enriching experience, it will be very fulfilling. Pick this one for the impressive narration and writing style, humor and the political satire it is.

[Zahra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! I just caught my breath. What a journey this book took us on…incredible! Mind bending/ alternate reality/ metaphysical realms…

Sheheryar Sheikh, in terms of approaching a subject, telling their story and presenting a new vantage point, you’ve really gone where no Pakistani writer writing fiction in English has gone before. Greatly enjoyed your second book. Harper Collins India, thank you for the free copy.

To book readers, lovers of fiction, those interested in Pakistan in general or Pakistani fiction in English in particular, this book is for you.

It seems “Call Me Al” is an allegory loosely representing the life and times of an infamous political figure who has spent the last two and half decades in exile. Told via the perspectives of two deceased victims, this story cuts sharply through our social and political fabric, laying bare the evils that hound us in our daily lives- the political manipulations, maneuvering, coercions that have led this once-promising state into a downward moral, ethical, economic spiral.

This is the second book I’ve read by Sheheryar Sheikh and there’s something to be said of his writing- it stays with you.

[Aishwarya Rathor]

Publisher- Harper Collins
Length- 292 pages
My views-
Should I call him Altmaash or Al?
This work of fiction is one of a kind and relatively new for me, I have no idea about Pakistani fiction. This book basically is an opening door for me in this area.
Al, is a political figure who has spent the last two decades in exile. The political manipulations and democracy taking a stir, has made time fragile. Democracy is in downfall with all the moral and economic stability shaken up. Its time Al, jumps in.
He wishes to do his best, and all he does is in this book. I recommend it to you.
The blurb is just enough to tease a reader to get his/her hands on this book. The book grew on me slowly and I must say the narration is to look forward to.
I am happy to be reading my first Pakistani fiction and that too such a strong one.

[Alzcatraz Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a compelling political thriller from an outstanding writer. A must read!

#CallMeAl #TheHerosHaHaJourney #SheheryarBSheikh #HarperCollins

[Roshni Bhattacharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted political satire baked with a hint of dark humour and handful of philosophy. The literary condiments in this lasagna of story were layered so perfectly. It made for a lip smackingly delicious treat better savoured slowly.

I took my sweet time with this 294 pages long thriller and it truly was a roller coaster ride!
There are ten chapters and each chapter is from three points of view. Gregory's, Altamaash's, and Ned's.
Reliving the same scenario in three different ways was not only refreshing but also gives us an opportunity to peek into what goes on in their respective minds. The concept of narration through spirits is commendable. Sheikh took the liberty of using deceased characters to relive the past of Altamaash along with the probable future of him and his homeland, Pakistan.

It is the story of Al and Al it is. Sheikh portrayed a vivid picture of Al throughout the time. The use of Ned and George to explore all the Al's was what kept me hooked.

A bit of apocalypse was touched and explored but did not go all religious and I loved it.

The political scenario of Pakistan and UK were parodied and was absolutely new for me. How far one can go to attain political influence, Al can give you some pointers on that. I had almost 3 shawarmas while reading this one, because damn it, Sheikh made everything sound so delicious and juicy, I couldn't resist myself from indulging in some fat dripping all sauced up meat and bread.

The very raw and very real thoughts of Al, Ned and Gregory went a long way in good character build-up along with their perception of the others. The crisp and meticulous planning done by Al to bring about the "biggest riot the world has ever witnessed" also tells us how planned and strategic, the writing has been.

All in all, this is one such read which I'd love to recommend to everyone and especially to those who have a political bent of mind.

[Shaurya Verma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call Me Al is my second read by a Pakistani author. And, let me tell you, it didn't disappoint me at all.
The protagonist, Altamaash alias Al, a politician who ruled over Pakistan now lives as an exile on his London mansion. He was largely feared and respected equally by his party's and the opposition party's members. He could have been on TV with an unacceptable planet-sized face or as an actor/performer of satire and so on but he chose politics because it was the true mode of entertainment. With his days of glory and fear long gone, he aspires to relive them and for that he engages in (1) double murder-of a stranger news reporter and a wannabe bodyguard (2) a countrywide riot that shakes all those who feared him to full attention with the utmost desire to rise to power.

The novel was an eye opener to the dirty aspects of politics since I am not a sucker for the same but I didn't flinch once while reading it, instead, it gave me a can't-put-it-down feel throughout, consistently. The narrative style is fast-paced with short, to-the-point, crisp sentences. Every chapter is narrated from three POV's, Al, GGJ, Ned giving an insight into each of their minds. However, the large vocab made me look up so many words in the dictionary. The protagonist, Al is an entertainer thus adding to the grim politics, a humorous angle, remember, his planet-sized face!
A gripping rollercoaster ride, Call Me Al is a must read.

[Arya P B · Rating 5 out of 5]

#bookreview

Title : Call Me Al: The Hero's Ha-ha Journey
Author : Sheheryar B. Sheikh
Publisher : Harper Collins India

QOTD : Your current read?

This is the first time I am reading Sheheryar's book. I was super curious to know more about the book after reading its blurb and because of the eye catching cover.
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The book introduces us to three people
🍁 George Gary Gregory Jaffer
🍁 Altamaash
🍁 Edwin ‘Ned’ Steinberg

The story is about the past, present and future of Altamaash, in short Al. In the beginning we witness the murder of George and Ned by Altamaash. There is a beautiful connection between past, present and future and for that we must appreciate the Author as these are well executed.
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Altamaash was exiled from Pakistan and he wants to return to his land. Al was looking for an opportunity to return. What will happen next? How will have he planned his return?
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To know all about it, you have to grab your copy.

In the things I love part
🍁 As I said, I am reading his book for first time so I was worried about the writing style and whether I would love it but it's just amazing.
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🍁 I love the theme. The life and after life mentioned by Author is beautiful and its different from any other book I read.
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🍁 It is a good read, I completed the book within 2 sits. There was new vocabulary which help me to learn, always worth it to read such books.

[Sonali Sanjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

My opinion:
"You know you are in political exile when you can relate to this book and feel for AL”. I loved it every time the chapter started with this quote. That was the best part of the book for me. The author has done a brilliant job with the method of narration and plot development. The author has really amazingly shown the present, the past and the probable future of Al. The book was entirely focused on Al, even when Greg and Ned were present from the beginning till the end. It had excellent character development as well. Giving a final verdict, the author has done a remarkable job here.
I rate this book four out of five stars. It was a bit dragging at few places, but despite that the book manages to keep you hooked. I did not like the way the god and angel was introduced. But not bringing that into consideration, this is a good book.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to everyone who loves to read political fiction. This is the best book you could ever grab on to start reading about politics. It is worth your time and money.

[The book bee Urmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a notorious political figure who was equally feared and respected amongst his people. Now staying in exile, he aspires to relive his powerful days in his hometown.

Also binding up the story with politics makes it more interesting.

Definitely a good read with powerful narration, writing style, and most importantly if you want to build your vocabulary. One of those books where you need the read in one hand and dictionary in another.

How does Al manages to accomplish his task..? To know more and get engaged in an interesting read, grab a copy.

My take:
I liked the concept of the life and after life connection here and that hooked me to the book.

[Bloggeray · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my earliest memories of Pakistani politics is watching the TV news report of a car bomb blast. Visuals of a car, blown up in a bomb attack, were being shown. Brother of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Murtaza Ali Bhutto, was the person in that car. He died, of course. Now it might be my brain playing tricks on me, because I’ve just finished reading a book about a fictional Pakistani politician who, in his own words, wants to make his country great, “by any means necessary.” Or it might be a cog in my understanding of Shaharyar B. Sheikh’s second novel, Call Me Al. That Al isn’t like Al Pacino, it’s just a shorthand for Altamaash, because hey, exiled in England, the man needs a cooler, hippier, trendier name.

Altamaash, or Al, is one of those Pakistanis whose family came to Pakistan from India, in the wake of the Partition in 1947. He himself wasn’t even born back then, but he sees the plight and the substandard treatment of his brethren, dubbed, among others, as “Mohajirs” by those whose families were always in the parts that became Pakistan. A large number of these Indian refugees settled down in the southern port city of Karachi, which is where Al belongs to as well. Now, the book doesn’t demand that you have the knowledge of subcontinental history in general, or Pakistani history in particular, because whatever is relevant to the plot is explained and imbibed properly by the author. But it does help make the real-life references stand out if you’re aware of what went down in the Land Of The Pure, as the name Pakistan translates to in English. So, Al is aware of the injustices taking place around him, and has the charisma and the acting chops and the cojones to use all of that to advance his own political ambitions, because all he sees around himself in the political class are leaches who are sucking the country dry, widening inequality and mismanaging every single thing. Why should others do what he ought to be doing? And, of course, the country needs a leader, and the people need a Messiah. Who else but Al to save the people from themselves?

In an indirect way, the book is a criticism of the common public, for leaving aside all initiatives for their collective benefit, forgetting that ideas like democracy go beyond loving your favourite leader with all your heart, and investing everything in Messianic figures, not accepting that such figures, by virtue of being humans, have to be flawed. The dangers of this servility and obsequiousness are strewn across the globe, and are depicted in a chilling episode in the book where a person’s nephew dies in the riots.

But more than the public or the system or the ways of the world, Call Me Al is the profile of your quintessential subcontinental politician. And in order to create this profile, the author takes the help of three POV characters. The funny thing is, even when the POV character isn’t Al himself, it is his eyes we see the world through, and his thoughts we read.

Starting the book was tough work. The plot seemed stuck in glue, and the three POVs mentioned above kept showing different viewpoints of largely the same events, except when they showed the inner monologues of these characters. It took me some time to plod through that, but once I did, and once the story moved past the double murder, the experience became much smoother and faster. The multiple POVs, which I was berating until then, actually started making sense, as a profile of Altamaash the Politician — through past, present and future — started taking shape. And kudos to the author for making these similar-different viewpoints engaging. Even when you’re concerned about what’s going to happen next, the monologues and the satire/sarcasm/jokes help you stay onboard.

Speaking of satire, the subtitle of the book is “The Hero’s Ha-Ha Journey.” It sets up that despite the blurb clearly stating that the actions Al undertakes are detrimental to the wider society and his country, Al thinks of himself as a hero. Even when he knows he’s being evil, and he’s wonderfully self-aware that way, he manages to justify his actions to himself. Why? Because ends justify the means, because the goal, the country’s wellness, is bigger than any one person’s sufferings. And sacrifices are important for plans of this magnitude. If Al can make people laugh along the way, even better. I found a lot of passages where I couldn’t suppress a giggle or a chuckle, and at times I also laughed out loud. At other times, the situation is so markedly grave that only satire makes sense.

The author uses fictional variants of the major political figures in Pakistan in the 1990s-2000s. There are other name changes too, and I particularly liked that there was a news channel named Dusk. Brought a smile to my face.

An odd thing about the plot is the way I kept thinking how the author will tie the double murder to the power games in the book. And when the connection was made finally, while it did make sense, it still had an ambiguity built into it. I won’t spoil things here, but to me it seemed that there were better ways for Al to shake his party from the slumber. No such complaints on the riots front. Exquisitely done, that section mirrors almost every riot you’ve ever seen or heard about, especially — you guessed it — in the subcontinent.

The language of the book is polished and literary, and the tone gradually builds. Once you align yourself to these, the rest of the experience is bump-free. Another feature is the parallels the book draws between its story and that of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, with the three sections alluding to Dante’s Inferno, Purgatory and Heaven. How the Nine Levels of Hell show up is a journey I’d leave for the reader.

Verdict: Despite a slow opening, Call Me Al arrests you with its sparkling prose and clinical profile of its protagonist. A recommended read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

[Wasi Rizvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, reading about this hero wasn't very high on my priority list, but the way this book was executed never reminded me of that fact.

[Sona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call me Al is pronounced a political satire and that's precisely why I picked this book to read. Manipulation, power games and above all violently idiosyncratic characters, all these come together in a narrative that is brilliant in its rebellion of linear storytelling.

"The smallest distance from powerlessness in London to sovereignty in Islamabad is a double- murder and a riot."
This sums up the story neatly, filling the blanks of how, who and what.
Altamaash, a rising political power is forced into exile through the machinations of his political opponents. For decades, he bids his time, wanting to come back to Pakistan to reclaim the lost days of glory and to lead his nation. Curiously, he tries a sleight of hand through an elaborately planned double-murder for which he is never indicted and sets off a series of violent events in his homeland to engineer his return to a tumultuous nation as a saviour.

The book seemed quite heavy in the first few chapters, obtuse even and I resigned myself to a slow paced book. However,
1/3 into the book, the narration flows. You realise that the book is not just a satire but with many layers of wit, some of which you may miss if you don't pay attention.

There's the case of names, of George Gary Gregory Jaffar, of Altamaash (a pun on 'tamashaa' and the song Call me Al) himself. Then there are the Angels, the Angel of Admittance and the Angel of Turning Away and the counterintuitive way the Divine One decides who gets hell and who gets heaven.

The book also has a number of monologues, all characters indulge in them to their hearts desire and more but they are perhaps needed to move the story further and to explain the going-ons which are usually too difficult to follow. But, it doesn't get confusing. Rather the shift in narrative and through 'seeing' the past and future lives of Al, the story gets a new dimension and a distance from the protagonist which is a little relieving.

"When you look at the whole thing from the future, it will appear like a montage of images in stop-start slow-motion."

The narration is interesting. The first 1/3rd of the book is through the voices of 2 characters and their PoV of one person, Al. After the two characters die, they are supposed to live out Al's life right from that point in time to his past and his future.

The way the story moves forward is gripping in the sense that the author takes liberty with the narration, the narrative voice and pov, as also the omniscience through two dead people and the pace wherein the dead ones decide to view the past and future of Al. Through these narrative techniques, Al becomes the superhero that he is supposed to be all along in the book.

The song, call me Al by Paul Simons has inspired the title of the book. Is it because the protagonist Altamaash is undergoing a mid-life crisis, disillusioned and disheartened making one last desperate jab to get back to the days of glory?

The characters are deeply flawed and oh-so-human. There are shades of grey all around, veering towards black and this is why the characters are so believable and memorable. Altamaash himself is larger-than-life and his twisted sense of logic and even ruthlessness is entertaining.

Sheheryar B. Sheikh mentions that he wanted to 'create a narrative that enflamed the desire to devote life to literature'. In that respect, he has been successful. 'Call Me Al' has been one of the most satisfying reads for me this year. The storyline is familiar, set as it is in Pakistan but it is the narrative that is the redeeming and the inspiring factor.

[Gautam Sasidharan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There are the very few who still have faith in me and the many who think I am someone I am not. It's time to give the people what they have always wanted; something and someone to believe in."

And that someone is Altamaash aka Al. Al is an entertainer and a crowd puller who end up in the world of politics. In the political world nothing is stable and in the case of Al, who was on his way to make it big, is cut short and exiled. But he has a plan and will come back. Al describes his execution of this plan for most of the book. However, to enjoy the execution, one needs to know how the plan came into existence and this, the reader gets to know through George. Once the past is known and the present execution is completed then what could be the future. The reader gets to read the possibilities through Ned.

As the reader passes through the initial part, the book does not stimulate anything in the reader. However, the second part grows on the reader and the third part takes the reader through the murky waters. Though the author has done excellent work, it fails to bring out the longing in the reader maybe because of the degree of nefariousness in Al.

Call me Al throws light on Pakistan which is known and yet unknown fully to the readers. The author lays the foundation on the immigration issue. He builds the book on this through the mechanics of the democratic process which is running in Pakistan. The author gives a fresh take of storytelling by using the past, present and future scenes through three different characters. While the parts of George and Al are strong, Ned's can go up like smoke.

The language is distinct for each of the characters. For George and Ned, the language is commonplace. But for Al, the language is peppy and sarcastic, exuding the confidence which Al has in him, capable of doing anything under the sky.

While all that is said, Call me Al does not reveal on the surface a primary focal point; which happens to be the pleasure part of this read. The reader has to settle that this is either a book trying to bring forth the immigrant issue or a biographical rambling of Al. By qualitative reasoning, the reader has to remove the immigrant issue because of the treatment it receives. Before concluding on the other option, the reader has to decide on the necessity of the characters George and Ned; then surfaces the fat in the milk: indignation. George, who is justified of his indignation through Al's past; Al, who lives indignation and Ned, who does not attain it given what happens to him.

Overall, it is a good read.

[Bookscorner.21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔖BOOK - CALL ME AL: THE HERO'S HA- HA JOURNEY⁣
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🔖AUTHOR - Mr. Sheheryar B. Sheikh⁣
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🔖PUBLISHERS - HarperCollins India
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🔖BLURB - Altamaash the entertainer misstepped on to history's stage to become a politician and created a lifetime's worth of chaos and destruction in Pakistan. Now exiled to a London mansion, abandoned even by sycophants, Al desires for doing his best - what's worst for the rest of world. ⁣
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🔖REVIEW - Call Me Al is a gut wrenching and hard-hitting dark satire on Pakistan's political structure and events. ⁣
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🔰Plot - The plot of the story is masterfully crafted and very well narrated. ⁣
- The story is fast moving and is closely knit leaving behind no open ends. ⁣
- The narration style is quite unique too as it is narrated from 3 different perspectives that despite being different seem to be connected in a way. ⁣
- The twists and turns keep the readers engaged and their interest alive till the end. ⁣
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🔰Character Portrayal- All the characters are excellently etched and serve their purpose very well especially that of Altamaash whose character in itself is a fusion of an entertainer, a politician and a merchant of death. ⁣
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🔰Language and Writing Style - Simple, Apt and Potent language has been used throughout its writing. ⁣
- The writing style of the author is hard-hitting and highly commendable here. ⁣
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🔰Cover and Title - The cover of the book is thoughtfully designed and the title goes well with the plot. ⁣
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Overall it was an unputdownable read for me. Highly Recommended!

[Sruthi N · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Gary Gregory Jaffar, a journalist from The Guardian, bags an exclusive interview with Altamaash (Al), ex politician and de facto don of Karachi, now exiled to London. George, who’s aware of the numerous unlawful acts Al had committed in Pakistan before fleeing, can’t help but feel repulsed at having to write a non-judgmental article on him while in reality he’s thinking of extremely innovative ways to kill the man who made Karachi a cesspit of crime.
Not long after the interview, just to instill fear in the minds of a few people back in Pakistan, Al commits a double-murder and makes it appear like a suicide- this is just the first step of his elaborate scheme to return to his homeland and take back what he believes is his.
Al is a detestable character, reading a book entirely about him and his misdeeds might seem intolerable, but the author’s idea to tell the story from 3 different POVs - of Al and the two people murdered by him, was absolutely brilliant. It was something I didn’t expect, and I really liked the way Al’s victims react on finding out they’re dead and in the afterlife.
Call Me Al is a book concerning the politics of Pakistan- a subject I’m not too familiar with and it isn’t a genre I’d normally pick either, yet Sheheyar B. Sheikh’s writing style kept me interested until the very end. Although it’s just below 300 pages, this isn’t an easy book to read (don’t get fooled by that bright and upbeat cover); it would require your time and full attention to truly appreciate this novel. Fans of political satires will find this right up their alley.

[Sohnia · Rating 2 out of 5]

When i bought this book from the bookshop at the airport they stuck a bookmark in the book. The outline of this was suspiciously phallic shaped. I should have taken that as a sign.

I will say, the narratives of the main characters are very distinctive. 1rst POV isnt my preference but i wanted to read the book because the political satirical theme sounded very interesting. It was. Al's resemblance to a certain well known politician will be recognizable to any Pakistani person reading this. The other two main characters were sympathetic and clearly plot instruments. That might have been the intention. Their not so brief appearances served to help the main character along on his journey. We get a good idea of their personalities, dreams, fears, history, etc.

I wish the women has been something more than barely supporting characters too
The rare glimpses into the mothers insight were my favourite parts of the book. However thrilling the narrative, reading chapter after chapter of one male ego appeasing itself became too dreary to bear. I still finished it because the plot was genuinely thrilling. I just wish i had the power to reach through the pages and slap some faces.

The book is very cleverly written. Im giving it a lower rating because it didn't appeal much to my personal reading preferences.

All in all, how I interpreted this story: as a rousing satirical portrait of a well known politician. Interesting plot twists, a lot of emoting, a whole lot of introspection i didn't really want to read at all and from now on, an eternal suspicion of toilets.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altamaash always looks for a chance to return to Pakistan since he has been exiled from his own country nearly two and half decades ago. Now that he can wait no longer, he plans to return as a savior by setting out a countrywide riot.

The story starts with a double murder of George gary Gregory Jaffer(GGGJ), a reporter and Edwin Ned Steinbery(Ned), Al's bodyguard to be; by Al himself.

The story is told in an unique way where we get to know about Al's past in GGGJ's afterlife process, his present life by Al himself and his future in Ned's afterlife process. So there are 3 PoVs and we get to know their insights. It took me sometime to grasp everything but once you complete the book, you will understand how it's executed perfectly.

When I started this book, I have no idea that the story would turn this way and explores about afterlife process. I liked the idea and the way the topic is covered in the book.

Al's life path from being the savior to his fellow immigrants to his exile days in London and his constant need of coming back to his own country is written in a engaging way. Al's dark humor, want of power, politics, manipulation, revenge plan and exceution, everything is perfectly drawn.

This kind of fiction is new to me. So it took time for me to invest into the story. The narration and plot are amazingly done. Read this one if you wanna give a try on a gripping political fiction.

[Amritha Srinath Booksngupshups · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book CALL ME AL has been my first Pakistani Fiction read. The author Sheheryar B Sheikh has very a strong writing and the political satire has been penned down really very well. Initially, the book has a slow start with some tough vocabularies to set up the facade of the book. But as you read on, the pace is up and the plot is intriguing, entertaining and makes you smile at certain instances. The book is enriched with dark humor depicting the political satire in Pakistan. The narration and the writing style is impeccable and keeps the readers hooked. The characters are well portrayed, each having their strong beliefs and repercussions. This one of the best books I have read where an After-Life angle is blended-in perfectly, making the story undauntedly the best. The author brings his characters alive by making his readers sympathize, love, hate, pity and rejoice his characters.

A word of advice for the beginners would be to have a dictionary by side and continue to read till the second section, because once you start with the 2nd Section, it is impossible to put the book down.

Overall, this book has been a thrilling experience and shows us the political scenarios in Pakistan.

Rating: 4.7/5

Pages: 292

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers India

To read about the characters and plot, please visit my blog link https://themummastartup.com/2019/09/2...

[OTAKU READS · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The hero of yesterday becomes the tyrant of tomorrow, unless He crucifies himself today”
Call me Al is a story about a Pakistani politician in exile. He has been in London for more than 2 decades plotting how to regain the political power in Pakistan and he does this by a double murder of a reporter and a bodyguard. CONFUSED ? I was too. We follow Altamash ( Al) in his journey and it’s not an easy journey to follow as he is not a good guy. This book brings out the theme of afterlife, political corruption , family values , heroism , believe and faith in such a manner that a reader is wonderstruck . It’s more of a mix between political satire and thriller . I also loved how the author used many recent English literature references even from TV shows to connect us to the characters The language used by the author was not very accessible (to me)He has made the choice of using heavy words to convey not only the heavy meaning behind the words but also the concept of humanity at large But I’m sure the fans of this genre won’t find this a problem at all . Overall I would recommend this book to readers who have been Wanting to read a different types of thrillers because reading this book was a very unique experience, also to the fans of political satire and thriller
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Thank you @harpercollinsin for the review copy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5

[Hansa Kajaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blurb:
AL aka Altamaash who is the protagonist once ruled over Pakistan but now is under Exile in London for nearly 2 decades and desires to return back to his homeland with the same charm and respect that he drew before. Hence he commits crime. 1st a double murder of GGJ and NED and a countrywide riot so that he can return as the saviour of the people. He plans all this while in London and waits for the blood stained crown of glory.

My review:
The Author has written well about politics and the dirty games that are involved and not once you will feel like putting the book down. The story is very well crafted and narrated as its told by 3 characters, AL, GGJ and NED. The book grew on me slowly as the pages turned and the story kept on progressing. Though with the kind of vocabulary used, you may feel the need to grab your dictionary now and then. All the characters have been set with a purpose and n you will find no loose ends to any of then. The cover of the book is well designed and aptly compliments the title.
Being my 1st book by a Pakistani Author, I am totally taken away by the writing and the way the entire political scene that has been created.

Rating:
This book gets a 4/5. Highly recommended.

[Yuva Ranjini · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pen down the political drama, it must be a well-researched one. Call Me Al is such a political satire that is well-developed and carries insider information of the war zone. It was a quite interesting read as this is my first time read related to the politics of Pakistan. Talking of politics, Isn't it true that you can only fight something if you know it well enough and know its weak spots?

This book has deeply narrated the life of al who was once in power got exiled. Altamaash moves to Pakistan from India during Partition. The story unfolds further of what's going to happen next to revive the peace that was long gone while waiting for his chance to take over? The author has wonderfully tells the tale in layers that brings out the outplay-the-masses concept very well. I’ve always liked the fight for human rights and equality but this has some dark humour which is in the best way.

The writing itself was beautiful and the character development was intriguing as it allows to get the glimpse of well-rooted Pakistan based story. My main gripe is that it seems little dragging in a few parts and the premise of the book is the best aspect on the whole.
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[Krishnaveni Subbiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright! I really didn't feel good with this book to be frank. It is about the protagonist Altamaash who was exiled from his homeland Pakistan and recides in London. He is a person struggling for the rights of the Immigrants in Pakistan and does cruel stuffs for his purpose to be fulfilled. He stays in London and cleverly unwinds a plot that fulfills his purpose yet something unexpected happens. The story sounds interesting, the plot is well written but still I felt it very difficult to go on reading. It did not help in keeping myself engaged. I personally felt the two important characters of GGGJ and Ned could be used in a better way. And the idea of heaven and hell was quite not in sync with the story. The vocabulary included more tough words though it helped in improving my language on the better side. I don't feel like talking much about this book because I'm so proud that I finally completed it without 'DNFing' you know... I'm contented on it. But if u love some serious unusual and difficult political read I think you can grab it. Because it gave me some new insights on political riots and excile. So that is all about Call Me Al.

[Sudarshan Wagh (swish_ndflick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call Me Al has been my first Pakistani fiction read and I must say it was something very strong to start with. This book has really set up a new benchmark for all other political satires/thrillers to be.

Our protagonist, a political leader, Al aka Altamaash who was in exile for last few years, after learning that his country is going through a toil of fragile democracy, falling morals and economy, decides to step in. And thus starts the riveting story of real politics that most of the common people remain unaware of. The series of political shenanigans and murders and riots provide a very thrilling background to the story. The story also has an element of 'afterlife'. To know more about it and how these 'shenanigans' turn into a political satire, grab your copy now!

The narration is worth appreciating as well as the vocabulary rich writing style. The satirical element is very well written and creates an impact on the reader as well. The storyline is really intriguing and the blurb does full justice to the plot.

Recommended to regular readers!

[Stephy Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

  Call Me Al The Hero's Ha-Ha Journey is a political satire based in Pakistan. The story is about Altamaash, who was an entertainer but decided to become a politician because he believed that in the country, politics was the actual mode of entertainment. Al decided to protest for the privileges of Indian migrants in Pakistan and later got exiled to London. 

  The story begins in London, introducing Al, Gary, & Ned. A double murder in the first part is the point where the story takes speed. To be sincere, the first few pages of the book were quite dreary. However, I am glad that I did not put the book aside. The author has saved all his wit for the remaining part.

The brilliant use of cliffhangers on each sentence made the book unputdownable. Not to be forgotten is the incredible use of the concept of the afterlife to look into the life of a man. 

The book criticises the darkest tactics in present-day politics.
In short, the book is a hilarious, thought-provoking political satire. 

[Karen Nirupa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al or althamaash a politician now in exile in Uk. This story basically revolves around three main characters and their perspective about the double murder happened at the start of the book. Al is a immigrant who crossed Pakistan from india during the partition. The immigrants were denied their rights and he decides to save his fellow immigrants. There were blood shed ,riot while fighting for their rights.But unfortunately he was sent into exile and he was earning for the same limelight in uk too. Will he return to his homeland?

A bit vague book with lots of new vocabulary, not a great book for new readers. A good book to know about the politics and the immigrant view through a Pakistani author. The after death scenes by the characters kept me hooked to this book. Though it had a bored start, author took through the plot cleverly.

[Archita Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call Me Al, is a book on political satire. Honestly, this is a genre that is less explored by me and I can say that I do not regret picking up this one.

It is the story of Altamaash aka Al, who moves from India to Pakistan during the partition. Initially, few pages into the book, I felt the story to be slow and boring but it picked up pace as the story unfolded. When it comes to political dramas, it cannot be written just like that. And this book, call me Al, is a well-researched one.

The writing is beautiful and characters are strongly built. The plot is an interesting one and keeps you hooked to get to the finish line.

I would recommend this book to people who love satire and politics. It might be a slightly difficult read for a newbie in reading. I enjoyed reading this one and got a whole new perspective towards political reads!

[Niharika Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came right on time as it's my first novel by Pakistani writer
one of those kinds of book, which you dont plan on reading, but once you pick it up, it's impossible to put down...SO GRIPPING!
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The story is weaved through past, present and future of protagonist, Altamaash a.k.a Al ; the man who ruled Pakistan at one time, who is now under exile in london for 2 decades.
He tries everything in his capacity to return to his country. The dream of the ultimate win has subtly rubbed off the difference between right and wrong for Al.
Multiple murders, causing countrywide riots are planned with a singular motive - to rule the Pakistan!
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For readers looking for an enriching experience, it will be very fulfilling. Pick this one for the impressive narration and writing style, humor and the political satire it is.

[Farid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this roller-coaster experience. An enthralling journey through the bizarre political landscape of Pakistan. Sheheryar has expertly navigated the greed, hunger, lunacy and absurdity behind the life of an exiled leader.

Moments of torture blend with the sublime in this dazzling display of the author's command over his craft. Baked lovingly and painstakingly with delicious sentence construction, the reader will be treated to a buffet of sharp witticisms and poignant truths. I recommend all adventurous souls to experience the ups and downs of Al's hilarious yet tragic life.

[Sitharaam Jayakumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is unlike any political satire I have ever read. The author has packed meaning into words in a way that makes the book totally unique. He has attempted to write the book differently and I must say he has succeeded to a large extent. The approach is new. Normally in satires, we expect a lot of double meaning dialogue... read the rest of the review here.