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Pureland
An assassin, accused of heinous acts of terror, begins his testimony by claiming responsibility for the murder of the Nobel Prize winning physicist, Salim Agha. To explain his motive, he begins by telling Salim’s story and the tragic relationship he had with his beloved nation, Pureland. Full of fascinating mysticism, Salim's life commences with a prophecy from a levitating saint. But he is born into poverty in a feudal village and the prophecy begins to fade, yet his life takes a turn when his landlord, General Khan, sees something special in the boy and promises to enroll him in a prestigious school in the city. Salim’s journey is never an easy one as he is hindered by conniving servants, General Khan’s evil mother, and his internal struggle with identity. He also falls in love with Khan’s daughter, Laila, who becomes his muse as well as his curse. A beloved so powerful that he vows to do anything to win her heart. She becomes the embodiment of everything he is destined to achieve. But everything starts to crumble. In an accidental act to impress his landlord, Salim inadvertently contributes to a coup d'état that derails his nation. He manages to leave for New York in order to stand on equal footing with his landlord and win over his beloved. But over the years in exile, Pureland is taken over by the Caliphate and remorse leads Salim to try and undo this wrong - and in doing so he creates vicious enemies who vie to slay him. One such enemy is the narrator himself.Inspired by a true story, Zarrar Said's novel Pureland is a tour-de-force debut about a nation that has lost its way, its people who suffer from unspeakable tyranny, and a remorseful hero whose legacy has been wiped out by hatred.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2020
7 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Zarrar Said
1 book8 followersZarrar Said was born in Lahore and spent his childhood between Dubai, Lahore and the US. He has an undergraduate degree in business from The Ohio State University and a graduate degree in quantitative finance from George Washington University.
Zarrar's debut novel, Pureland, is a fictionalized narrative based on the tragic life of Dr. Abdus Salam, a Nobel prize winning physicist who was excommunicated by the country of his birth and who spent his entire adult life in exile due to his religious affiliations. Dr. Salam's achievements in science and his remarkable story was then eradicated from his country's educational curriculum. Pureland is the retelling of that tragedy in the form of a love story told through magical realism.
Pureland embodies themes of lost homelands, class discrimination and dogmatic politics. Zarrar believes that societies suffer from the prejudices they keep. Pureland itself became one such story, with bookstores in South Asia deeming it too controversial to sell.
Zarrar currently lives and works in New York City.
Zarrar's debut novel, Pureland, is a fictionalized narrative based on the tragic life of Dr. Abdus Salam, a Nobel prize winning physicist who was excommunicated by the country of his birth and who spent his entire adult life in exile due to his religious affiliations. Dr. Salam's achievements in science and his remarkable story was then eradicated from his country's educational curriculum. Pureland is the retelling of that tragedy in the form of a love story told through magical realism.
Pureland embodies themes of lost homelands, class discrimination and dogmatic politics. Zarrar believes that societies suffer from the prejudices they keep. Pureland itself became one such story, with bookstores in South Asia deeming it too controversial to sell.
Zarrar currently lives and works in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 5, 2023
I really wanted to like Pureland. I really, really, really wanted to like Pureland. The chances of it being boring seemed so low, given that it’s based on the life of one of Pakistan’s most controversial figures, but I guess even the best subject matter can't save a story from atrocious writing.
And what horrible writing there was, my god. It wasn’t even the sort of bad that feels like it was written by an amateur who never received any feedback, but rather like the words of an author who knows the language but tries to get ahead of himself. I guess I should have realized what I was heading into when I saw the ‘magical realism’ tag, but given that I’ve read some not-so-atrocious books of this genre in the past (Hamid’s Exit West comes to mind), I was prepared to get over my long-standing disdain for the sort of wackiness that one can meet in books within this genre.
Unfortunately, my disdain was extremely valid in this case. While Salman Rushdie might have created brilliance in Midnight’s Children, it is shocking to me that anyone could ever insinuate that this book is Pakistan’s equivalent to the sort of narrative talent that you see in Rushdie’s work.
And insinuate such a thing multiple reviewers have done, for reasons that beggar belief. The only explanation that I can possibly consider about why this book deserves to be complimented is the one that is clearly obvious: this book is about ahmadis. And not only about ahmadis, but possibly the most famous ahmadi Pakistan has created.
But before we continue, it’s important to take a small detour at this point to venture out of the world of book reviewing and into a short but bloody history lesson. I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge of ahmadis has mostly been a case of second-hand, vaguely-gotten knowledge. That’s because if you’re part of the religious majority in Pakistan, you have the type of ridiculous privilege that protects you from even knowing about the micro-aggressions that minorities face in the country, much less having to ever consider the possibility of your life being in actual danger because of your religious beliefs. And Ahmadis (followers of a 19th century subcontinental movement who believe in the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad) have been routinely treated with a vicious, unrelenting streak of cruelty in Pakistan. This is because a lot of Muslims don’t consider ahmadis as proper Muslims, branding them as either kafir or heretic. And this animosity spills over into almost all aspects of life in Pakistan.
It is present in our speech, which uses the pejorative term Qadiani to refer to ahmadis (the term originates from Qadian, the town in northern India where the founder of the movement was born). ‘Qadiani’ is primarily used in Pakistan, and is even used in official country documentation. In fact, our country has gone so far as to declare the entire sect as Non-Muslims in a 1974 constitutional amendment that still exists to this date and age. A decade after that amendment, further laws which barred the entire community from calling their place of worship ‘mosques’ or propagating their faith came into being. This sort of nation-wide animosity has frequently resulted in actions as damaging as limiting someone’s opportunity to do something to outright murder.
The most recent case of this was in 2018 when the newly-elected government, led by popular political party PTI, decided to withdraw the name of a prominent economist from its nascent Economic Advisory Council. Atif Mian, a Princeton University professor who also happens to be an ahmadi, was initially chosen to be a part of the 18-member panel responsible for advising the PM on economic policies. But growing pressure from several religious parties eventually led to the government asking Mian to step down from that position. And even though there was concern raised about the growing involvement of Islamist parties in the country’s politics, a significant number of religious conservatives welcomed the decision, in a move that is both troubling and indicative of where we stand.
In retrospect though, where we now stand could have been predicted a few decades ago given the despicable way we’ve treated the only Nobel Laureate born in Pakistan. Abdus Salam, on whom this story claims to be loosely based, was born in a poor village but had a genius brain. Even though he departed from his country in protest after the parliamentary bill declaring ahmadis as non-muslims in 1974, his love for his country seems to be a widely believed fact at this point. But even though the man won a Nobel prize in Physics, and did remarkable things in the field of science, Pakistan continues to have a complicated relationship with this remarkable man, seemingly purely because of his religious beliefs.
I’d informed you that leaving for this new world was what I needed, what my dreams asked of me. But nothing about this place makes me believe I’ve done the right thing. I miss the village, the Khan House, our father, and I miss you.
The author claims that this story is loosely based on Salam’s life: his protagonist is a young boy from a small village in central Punjab who amazes everyone in the world of science with his genius and who eventually wins the Nobel Prize while living abroad. Factually, most of the bare bones of this story do seem to follow the trajectory of Salam’s life, especially since the author stated that he’d taken advantage of the research for a documentary that was being shot about Salam. “I piggy-backed off the research friends of mine did related to a documentary on the life of Abdus Salam. But I realised the story was so fascinating that it would make much more sense to write it as a fictitious novel,” the author Said told The Express Tribune. This documentary that he mentioned (and there can’t possibly be two of the same) has recently been released, and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about it. For this book, unfortunately, I can’t say the same.
These wistful distances between Salim and his homeland began to swell. The fondness of his for Pureland, the one we spoke about so much, took on a magical aspect. It wasn’t just a homeland any more-it symbolized happiness, a sense of belonging.
I definitely give the author points for talking about a religious minority which others have literally been killed for talking about. But I can’t give him points for absolutely anything else, given the absolutely appalling lack of linguistic flair, the way the plot seems to meander about senselessly, or even the lack of emotion the characters manage to elicit. I cared for nothing and no one in the tale, least of all for Laila, a woman our hero Salim Agha leaves behind in Pureland (a very obvious reference to Pakistan) and whom he seems to feel is his life’s mission to win back.
In fact, random side characters such as Salim Agha’s sex-expert brother managed to be more interesting than our protagonist and his desire to win back Laila, or his progress in the world of science. Even the set-up of the book (that of the assassin narrating Salim’s story to a suited-booted version of the reader) feels highly reminiscent of what Mohsin Hamid did in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, but to lesser effect.
I see you’re a bit overdressed for this place. Please, take off your jacket, loosen that tie, it gets quite warm in here. I would put away that pen and notebook too; you won’t need them. Just listen.
Probably the saddest thing about the whole endeavor is that it had such possibility. A fictionalized account of Abdus Salam’s life, with threads of magical realism, sounds like it could either have been a masterpiece, or a complete disaster. Unfortunately, in the case of Pureland, it was definitely the latter. Not funny, badly written, and completely lacking in characters worth rooting for, this book only gets one measly point for pure, unadulterated grit at having come into being. And no points for nothing else.
Not recommended.
***
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
What an absolute crapbag. Such a shame, such wasted potential on such a great topic.
Will review when I can force myself to do it.
***
(If I've misrepresented a fact or said something that might hurt anyone's feelings, please feel free to reach out and help me correct myself.)
***
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
And what horrible writing there was, my god. It wasn’t even the sort of bad that feels like it was written by an amateur who never received any feedback, but rather like the words of an author who knows the language but tries to get ahead of himself. I guess I should have realized what I was heading into when I saw the ‘magical realism’ tag, but given that I’ve read some not-so-atrocious books of this genre in the past (Hamid’s Exit West comes to mind), I was prepared to get over my long-standing disdain for the sort of wackiness that one can meet in books within this genre.
Unfortunately, my disdain was extremely valid in this case. While Salman Rushdie might have created brilliance in Midnight’s Children, it is shocking to me that anyone could ever insinuate that this book is Pakistan’s equivalent to the sort of narrative talent that you see in Rushdie’s work.
And insinuate such a thing multiple reviewers have done, for reasons that beggar belief. The only explanation that I can possibly consider about why this book deserves to be complimented is the one that is clearly obvious: this book is about ahmadis. And not only about ahmadis, but possibly the most famous ahmadi Pakistan has created.
But before we continue, it’s important to take a small detour at this point to venture out of the world of book reviewing and into a short but bloody history lesson. I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge of ahmadis has mostly been a case of second-hand, vaguely-gotten knowledge. That’s because if you’re part of the religious majority in Pakistan, you have the type of ridiculous privilege that protects you from even knowing about the micro-aggressions that minorities face in the country, much less having to ever consider the possibility of your life being in actual danger because of your religious beliefs. And Ahmadis (followers of a 19th century subcontinental movement who believe in the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad) have been routinely treated with a vicious, unrelenting streak of cruelty in Pakistan. This is because a lot of Muslims don’t consider ahmadis as proper Muslims, branding them as either kafir or heretic. And this animosity spills over into almost all aspects of life in Pakistan.
It is present in our speech, which uses the pejorative term Qadiani to refer to ahmadis (the term originates from Qadian, the town in northern India where the founder of the movement was born). ‘Qadiani’ is primarily used in Pakistan, and is even used in official country documentation. In fact, our country has gone so far as to declare the entire sect as Non-Muslims in a 1974 constitutional amendment that still exists to this date and age. A decade after that amendment, further laws which barred the entire community from calling their place of worship ‘mosques’ or propagating their faith came into being. This sort of nation-wide animosity has frequently resulted in actions as damaging as limiting someone’s opportunity to do something to outright murder.
The most recent case of this was in 2018 when the newly-elected government, led by popular political party PTI, decided to withdraw the name of a prominent economist from its nascent Economic Advisory Council. Atif Mian, a Princeton University professor who also happens to be an ahmadi, was initially chosen to be a part of the 18-member panel responsible for advising the PM on economic policies. But growing pressure from several religious parties eventually led to the government asking Mian to step down from that position. And even though there was concern raised about the growing involvement of Islamist parties in the country’s politics, a significant number of religious conservatives welcomed the decision, in a move that is both troubling and indicative of where we stand.
In retrospect though, where we now stand could have been predicted a few decades ago given the despicable way we’ve treated the only Nobel Laureate born in Pakistan. Abdus Salam, on whom this story claims to be loosely based, was born in a poor village but had a genius brain. Even though he departed from his country in protest after the parliamentary bill declaring ahmadis as non-muslims in 1974, his love for his country seems to be a widely believed fact at this point. But even though the man won a Nobel prize in Physics, and did remarkable things in the field of science, Pakistan continues to have a complicated relationship with this remarkable man, seemingly purely because of his religious beliefs.
I’d informed you that leaving for this new world was what I needed, what my dreams asked of me. But nothing about this place makes me believe I’ve done the right thing. I miss the village, the Khan House, our father, and I miss you.
The author claims that this story is loosely based on Salam’s life: his protagonist is a young boy from a small village in central Punjab who amazes everyone in the world of science with his genius and who eventually wins the Nobel Prize while living abroad. Factually, most of the bare bones of this story do seem to follow the trajectory of Salam’s life, especially since the author stated that he’d taken advantage of the research for a documentary that was being shot about Salam. “I piggy-backed off the research friends of mine did related to a documentary on the life of Abdus Salam. But I realised the story was so fascinating that it would make much more sense to write it as a fictitious novel,” the author Said told The Express Tribune. This documentary that he mentioned (and there can’t possibly be two of the same) has recently been released, and I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about it. For this book, unfortunately, I can’t say the same.
These wistful distances between Salim and his homeland began to swell. The fondness of his for Pureland, the one we spoke about so much, took on a magical aspect. It wasn’t just a homeland any more-it symbolized happiness, a sense of belonging.
I definitely give the author points for talking about a religious minority which others have literally been killed for talking about. But I can’t give him points for absolutely anything else, given the absolutely appalling lack of linguistic flair, the way the plot seems to meander about senselessly, or even the lack of emotion the characters manage to elicit. I cared for nothing and no one in the tale, least of all for Laila, a woman our hero Salim Agha leaves behind in Pureland (a very obvious reference to Pakistan) and whom he seems to feel is his life’s mission to win back.
In fact, random side characters such as Salim Agha’s sex-expert brother managed to be more interesting than our protagonist and his desire to win back Laila, or his progress in the world of science. Even the set-up of the book (that of the assassin narrating Salim’s story to a suited-booted version of the reader) feels highly reminiscent of what Mohsin Hamid did in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, but to lesser effect.
I see you’re a bit overdressed for this place. Please, take off your jacket, loosen that tie, it gets quite warm in here. I would put away that pen and notebook too; you won’t need them. Just listen.
Probably the saddest thing about the whole endeavor is that it had such possibility. A fictionalized account of Abdus Salam’s life, with threads of magical realism, sounds like it could either have been a masterpiece, or a complete disaster. Unfortunately, in the case of Pureland, it was definitely the latter. Not funny, badly written, and completely lacking in characters worth rooting for, this book only gets one measly point for pure, unadulterated grit at having come into being. And no points for nothing else.
Not recommended.
***
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
What an absolute crapbag. Such a shame, such wasted potential on such a great topic.
Will review when I can force myself to do it.
***
(If I've misrepresented a fact or said something that might hurt anyone's feelings, please feel free to reach out and help me correct myself.)
***
I review Pakistani Fiction, and talk about Pakistani fiction, and want to talk to people who like to talk about fiction (Pakistani and otherwise, take your pick.) To read more reviews or just contact me so you can talk about books, check out my Blog or follow me on Twitter!
March 3, 2019
Pureland was a gripping read. The book tells the story of Salim Agha, a precocious child who through a mixture of good fortune and hard work seemingly breaks free from the world of poverty and bondage into which he is born.
Although never explicitly stated, Pureland is set in Pakistan in the city of Lahore (which in the local language, Punjabi, is pronounced as Lorr). The author’s description of Pakistan’s history and people sometimes feels too farfetched until you realize that it is in fact largely based on real events. Fact can be stranger than fiction and in Pakistan, almost always so.
In his debut novel, Said makes clear that he is a formidable writer. Perceptive and witty, he writes dexterously about complex characters. Pureland is one of the best novels about Pakistan in recent times.
Although never explicitly stated, Pureland is set in Pakistan in the city of Lahore (which in the local language, Punjabi, is pronounced as Lorr). The author’s description of Pakistan’s history and people sometimes feels too farfetched until you realize that it is in fact largely based on real events. Fact can be stranger than fiction and in Pakistan, almost always so.
In his debut novel, Said makes clear that he is a formidable writer. Perceptive and witty, he writes dexterously about complex characters. Pureland is one of the best novels about Pakistan in recent times.
January 7, 2019
I was sceptical when I came to know that this is his first book. But on the other hand plot seemed mouth watering. So i grabbed a copy and started reading it. And oh God, this just grabbed my attention from the very start. Doesn't seem like that the author is novice at all. The plot is so interesting and intriguing that keeps you hooked up till the very end.
It is in a way retelling of story of Pakistan in a literary manner which makes it rather catchy. The characters are truly relatable. The book has all the makings of a movie theme. The author might be inspired by writings of Salman Rushdie the way he pens the character of Gibreel in it. Zarrar Said is a budding author whose next book I will surely read.
It is in a way retelling of story of Pakistan in a literary manner which makes it rather catchy. The characters are truly relatable. The book has all the makings of a movie theme. The author might be inspired by writings of Salman Rushdie the way he pens the character of Gibreel in it. Zarrar Said is a budding author whose next book I will surely read.
July 15, 2020
Mr. Said weaves a finely woven tapestry in this immensely riveting read. I picked up the book because I was inspired by the subject, a Nobel Prize winner disavowed by his country. I could not put down the book as it became something I found difficult to leave unfinished. As a general rule I do not leave reviews. However, this is a book worth reading and I highly recommend it. It inspires emotion and is written with extreme care and precision.
July 16, 2020
What can I say about Zarrar that hasn’t already been said about Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Rushdie. The man has dramatically raised the bar for other fiction writers. Thrill, humor, and castrated butchers…this book has it all. Gripping read. Life will never be the same.
July 14, 2020
While most people in NYC are looking at their phones while walking down the street, I was holding and reading this book. I could not put the book down! The author's writing was so eloquent that it made gliding through the pages easy for someone like myself who does not come from the culture in which the storyline was set. I always love a good love story. Pureland was above and beyond anything typical in literature. I look forward to reading more of Zarrar Said's books in the future.
July 15, 2020
It is difficult not to like the author with his unpretentious forgiving style. The book provides a valuable and absorbing window into a a tainted subject never discussed in Pakistan and for most of us the facts around it being inaccessible.
I eagerly look forward to Zarrar's next publication.
I eagerly look forward to Zarrar's next publication.
July 16, 2020
Brilliant novel written in a magical-realist style. Immensely readable and inspiring. Highly recommended!
July 14, 2020
Gripping, hilarious and sad. Dare you to put it down.
May 20, 2019
Started it with lots of high expectations as it is marketed with the name of Dr. Abd-us-Salam, no doubt the novel has all the selling spices in it, fast paced,sex, little bit humor, tragedy etc. which do not let the readers to get bored at the same time it is the negative side of the book that writer tried to fit a lot in small box needlessly.
Another thing which you may observe was the amount of negativity filled in, no character in the east seems to be positive, even not a single positive trait in every one whereas every character in west was all positive. It seemed to be endorsing the western media rhetoric about the east just for selling purpose. A slightly positive character, "the Dr.'s caretaker", couldn't explain or link why he was so positive for minorities while surrounded by such a cruel and negative society.
Moreover, relating it to Dr. Abd-us-Salam just because the main character is Ahmedi doesn't seems justified.Again that may be the inspiration of writing for the writer but in the novel it looks just to be for the sake of attention.
Another thing which you may observe was the amount of negativity filled in, no character in the east seems to be positive, even not a single positive trait in every one whereas every character in west was all positive. It seemed to be endorsing the western media rhetoric about the east just for selling purpose. A slightly positive character, "the Dr.'s caretaker", couldn't explain or link why he was so positive for minorities while surrounded by such a cruel and negative society.
Moreover, relating it to Dr. Abd-us-Salam just because the main character is Ahmedi doesn't seems justified.Again that may be the inspiration of writing for the writer but in the novel it looks just to be for the sake of attention.
March 5, 2019
Loved it!
Zarrar Said managed to write a genuinely good piece of fiction. He managed to highlight the plight that the Ahmadi community faces in Pakistan and other issues related to feudalism and class, while at the same time not make it seem like the entire purpose of the book was just that. The man is a good writer who did that without invoking orientalist tropes that many South Asian writers do. The twist at the end (when we find out who the narrator is) really killed me!
Zarrar Said managed to write a genuinely good piece of fiction. He managed to highlight the plight that the Ahmadi community faces in Pakistan and other issues related to feudalism and class, while at the same time not make it seem like the entire purpose of the book was just that. The man is a good writer who did that without invoking orientalist tropes that many South Asian writers do. The twist at the end (when we find out who the narrator is) really killed me!
December 16, 2018
This novel is a brilliant portrayal of a Nation in ruins and what brought it there. It draws historical resemblances of politics, religion, gender class, heritage, culture etc. and shows its echoes in contemporary world.
December 26, 2019
Very enjoyable read!
July 28, 2020
Pureland by Zarrar Said starts with an assassin who is narrating that he is solely responsible for murdering the esteemed Dr. Salim Agha. But before, he can explain the reason why, he must narrate the life of Salim from the day he was born till the day he was killed to do justice to the story.
Salim, an Ahmadi, was born in a poor household in a poor village in Pureland. It was prophesized by the Floating Pir of the village that Salim, known as Potato in his village, would move on to do great things. He was then handed over to the owner of the village, General Khan, who took him under his wing and took him to his house in Lorr so that he could go to school. After a violent incident, Khan forces him to go to New York for higher studies thereby dispelling him from the place he called home.
Salim moves on to completing his degree in physics and works out a miraculous equation, earning him a Nobel Prize. Meanwhile, back in Pureland, things have gotten worse and Ahmadis have to live a life in hiding because of their different beliefs. Salim is madly in love with his motherland but how do you go back to the place and people who have disowned you?
This blurb of this book was so interesting that I put aside my dislike for South Asian literature and I just knew I had to read it. However, the book was your typical South Asian fiction book - fit in lots of complicated sentences, fill pages with descriptions of cities, the same descriptions that readers have read in many many other books, add the "love" factor, and voila! You got yourself a "best seller".
If I'm being honest, I picked up this book because I was curious to know what being Ahmadi had to do with the story line, considering this book is somewhat banned in Pakistan. But it seemed that the Ahmadi factor was consistently forced in; the book had its own story moving along but then the author would force a reminder that Salim was Ahmadi, just in case you forgot. It really did not fit.
Also, the whole book was loosely based on Dr. Abdus Salam, Pakistan's first Nobel laureate. It had a lot of potential to be an amazing novel but it just seemed to be another history book most of the time because there were absolutely no changes to the historical aspect, even though it's a fiction novel. Like.. move the events and dates around a bit, it won't hurt?!
Honestly felt extremely disappointed with this book even though I had really high hopes.
Salim, an Ahmadi, was born in a poor household in a poor village in Pureland. It was prophesized by the Floating Pir of the village that Salim, known as Potato in his village, would move on to do great things. He was then handed over to the owner of the village, General Khan, who took him under his wing and took him to his house in Lorr so that he could go to school. After a violent incident, Khan forces him to go to New York for higher studies thereby dispelling him from the place he called home.
Salim moves on to completing his degree in physics and works out a miraculous equation, earning him a Nobel Prize. Meanwhile, back in Pureland, things have gotten worse and Ahmadis have to live a life in hiding because of their different beliefs. Salim is madly in love with his motherland but how do you go back to the place and people who have disowned you?
This blurb of this book was so interesting that I put aside my dislike for South Asian literature and I just knew I had to read it. However, the book was your typical South Asian fiction book - fit in lots of complicated sentences, fill pages with descriptions of cities, the same descriptions that readers have read in many many other books, add the "love" factor, and voila! You got yourself a "best seller".
If I'm being honest, I picked up this book because I was curious to know what being Ahmadi had to do with the story line, considering this book is somewhat banned in Pakistan. But it seemed that the Ahmadi factor was consistently forced in; the book had its own story moving along but then the author would force a reminder that Salim was Ahmadi, just in case you forgot. It really did not fit.
Also, the whole book was loosely based on Dr. Abdus Salam, Pakistan's first Nobel laureate. It had a lot of potential to be an amazing novel but it just seemed to be another history book most of the time because there were absolutely no changes to the historical aspect, even though it's a fiction novel. Like.. move the events and dates around a bit, it won't hurt?!
Honestly felt extremely disappointed with this book even though I had really high hopes.
May 14, 2019
I tried to like this book...I really did! I think the premise of being loosely based on Dr. Adbus Salam's life threw me off completely. He is someone I admire and I have read and watched documentaries about his life, and I have to say that the main character was NOT even remotely based on him-other than his religion.
Other than that, like most Pakistani authors, Said also tried to cover toooooo much in one book:
1. Religious hatred
2. ISIS (the Caliphate)
3. The environment of Aitchison
4. Imran Khan
5. Mental difficulties of a genius trying to achieve his potential
6. Martial Law of Zia ul Haq........... to name a few!
I do not like this book...but I will buy Mr. Said's next book, because I think he has potential.
Other than that, like most Pakistani authors, Said also tried to cover toooooo much in one book:
1. Religious hatred
2. ISIS (the Caliphate)
3. The environment of Aitchison
4. Imran Khan
5. Mental difficulties of a genius trying to achieve his potential
6. Martial Law of Zia ul Haq........... to name a few!
I do not like this book...but I will buy Mr. Said's next book, because I think he has potential.
October 5, 2020
This was surprising at every turn. At first it reminded a bit of The Alchemist because I felt like we were on a magical journey of love in a place I know nothing about - set mostly in Pakistan 1960s-2015ish. But oh the places we go...It doesn't continue on the hopeful path we start on even though it is a rags to riches story. Love, politics, history, tragedy, irony. I got through it very quickly because I am a huge fan of historical fiction, turns out it was based on a true story! Highly educational and entertaining.
March 23, 2025
The story was interesting but the writing was difficult at times. Some chapters were well crafted and others were dense with repeated similes and dialogue that felt out of place. As soon as the narrator's character was revealed in the story it was obvious to me what role he would play, but the last few chapters of the book felt rushed and put together without as much care. There were characters introduced in the last section of the book that went given the time to develop that earlier characters where, and those later characters are crucial to the story.
July 17, 2020
Pureland is based loosely on the life of Dr Abdus Salam of Pakistan, but it’s actually about so much more. It reveals to the reader what it means to be an outsider looking for validation from those who will never give it. It touches upon the feudal social hierarchy that exists and the face that no matter how much you try you can’t traverse that divide. Most of all however, Pureland is about longing for home. I really enjoyed this one.
August 12, 2021
Who are these people giving the book a 5-star rating?! I mean you're entitled to your opinion, but still, what the hell is worth 5 stars in this book? There is little meaningful story-telling, and it looks like the author is more inspired from bollywood movies than from Abdus Salam's life. The greatest thing about the book is its association with Abdus Salam's name. Rest is a disappointment.
August 3, 2020
Pureland
I read this book in a few sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. It allows one to get into the mind of a society that has led itself to the brink as a result of to its own complacency.
I read this book in a few sittings and thoroughly enjoyed it. It allows one to get into the mind of a society that has led itself to the brink as a result of to its own complacency.
August 22, 2024
Pureland is a beautifully written novel. I found myself instantly absorbed, and Said does an amazing job creating a magical and engaging story out of Dr. Adbus Salam's life.
June 1, 2021
Pureland is a fictionalised narrative based on the tragic life of Dr. Abdus Salam, a Nobel Prize winning physicist who was excommunicated by the country of his birth and who spent his entire life in exile due to his religious affiliations. Within the first few pages, it is easy to understand that Pureland refers to Pakistan, and the city of Lorr is actually Lahore (naming the fictional town on the colloquial pronunciation).
What started as an engrossing and engaging read, soon turned out to be a drudgery to get through. Pureland is an ambitious piece of literature that could have easily been slotted with the likes of Rushdie and Mohsin Hamid. However, the endearing quality of the poetic prose that made me rave about the book in the first 150 pages soon turned out to be the reason I couldn’t wait to mark the book as read. Too much of something is never good.
Perhaps I am being too harsh since this is the author’s debut novel. If you see it through that lens, then without a doubt Pureland is at par with some of the current ‘bestsellers’. The first half of the book raised my expectations and I was sure of giving it nothing less than 5-stars. The reason for my disappointment has more to do with the editor than with the author. Said is an eloquent writer and has beautifully woven a tale of love, belonging and betrayal. The setting of the novel hits home. The India-Pakistan partition is a memory that will be etched into the minds of those who are long gone and the ones who haven’t even graced the Earth yet.
What is the book about?
The book starts with the narrator confessing to the crime of killing Dr. Salim Agha. Whether his confession is out of remorse or guilt is to be discovered in the course of his narration. He takes the reader on a journey – a journey of Dr. Agha’s life and the circumstances that led to the day of the assassination.
Back in his day, Salim was a child prodigy and his talent was recognised and honed by the feudal lord, General Khan. Through Salim’s childhood and then his schooling years, we are given a glimpse of the newly formed country, fresh from the partition. Class discrimination and politics were prevalent even then, but so was the dazzling night-life accompanied by expensive liquor.
It is during these years that Salim discovers his true identity, and falls in love with the General’s daughter. As the school-going boy progresses towards a young adult, he realises the charade he has been living all his life, compelling him to acknowledge his Ahmadi roots, with drastic results. A hasty dismal from the General and his daughter and Salim is on his way to the United States armed with a full-scholarship for one of the ivy leagues. If life for Salim had been unfair so far, he has a fresh set of hurdles to cross before he attains the prestigious doctorate degree.
While this is pretty much the crux of the story, we have shades of ISIS (the Caliphate), religious hatred, the environment of a snooty boarding school, difficulties faced by a genius trying to achieve his potential and of-course intense emotions of an unrequited love.
So what went wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot. The first 200 pages (out of 358) were beautifully crafted. The rising tension and the political situation kept me hooked on. However, post that mark the finesse in the writing went into a slump. I can count only 2-3 characters that had a distinct personality, others were just present in the background to be used as and when they were required in the story. The character development needed some work and more than their actions, their dialogues revealed the inner workings of their lives and mind. Instead of excessively focussing on the one-sided love story, Said could have easily spent more time in creating stronger characters. The last half of the book felt stretched and repetitive, the love-triangle felt forced and because of these let-downs the climax was a disappointment.
Read this book if you must. But I am eagerly waiting for Zarrar Said’s next work. A less ambitious story and a stronger editor is all that is needed to put him on the bestseller list.
What started as an engrossing and engaging read, soon turned out to be a drudgery to get through. Pureland is an ambitious piece of literature that could have easily been slotted with the likes of Rushdie and Mohsin Hamid. However, the endearing quality of the poetic prose that made me rave about the book in the first 150 pages soon turned out to be the reason I couldn’t wait to mark the book as read. Too much of something is never good.
Perhaps I am being too harsh since this is the author’s debut novel. If you see it through that lens, then without a doubt Pureland is at par with some of the current ‘bestsellers’. The first half of the book raised my expectations and I was sure of giving it nothing less than 5-stars. The reason for my disappointment has more to do with the editor than with the author. Said is an eloquent writer and has beautifully woven a tale of love, belonging and betrayal. The setting of the novel hits home. The India-Pakistan partition is a memory that will be etched into the minds of those who are long gone and the ones who haven’t even graced the Earth yet.
What is the book about?
The book starts with the narrator confessing to the crime of killing Dr. Salim Agha. Whether his confession is out of remorse or guilt is to be discovered in the course of his narration. He takes the reader on a journey – a journey of Dr. Agha’s life and the circumstances that led to the day of the assassination.
Back in his day, Salim was a child prodigy and his talent was recognised and honed by the feudal lord, General Khan. Through Salim’s childhood and then his schooling years, we are given a glimpse of the newly formed country, fresh from the partition. Class discrimination and politics were prevalent even then, but so was the dazzling night-life accompanied by expensive liquor.
It is during these years that Salim discovers his true identity, and falls in love with the General’s daughter. As the school-going boy progresses towards a young adult, he realises the charade he has been living all his life, compelling him to acknowledge his Ahmadi roots, with drastic results. A hasty dismal from the General and his daughter and Salim is on his way to the United States armed with a full-scholarship for one of the ivy leagues. If life for Salim had been unfair so far, he has a fresh set of hurdles to cross before he attains the prestigious doctorate degree.
While this is pretty much the crux of the story, we have shades of ISIS (the Caliphate), religious hatred, the environment of a snooty boarding school, difficulties faced by a genius trying to achieve his potential and of-course intense emotions of an unrequited love.
So what went wrong?
Unfortunately, a lot. The first 200 pages (out of 358) were beautifully crafted. The rising tension and the political situation kept me hooked on. However, post that mark the finesse in the writing went into a slump. I can count only 2-3 characters that had a distinct personality, others were just present in the background to be used as and when they were required in the story. The character development needed some work and more than their actions, their dialogues revealed the inner workings of their lives and mind. Instead of excessively focussing on the one-sided love story, Said could have easily spent more time in creating stronger characters. The last half of the book felt stretched and repetitive, the love-triangle felt forced and because of these let-downs the climax was a disappointment.
Read this book if you must. But I am eagerly waiting for Zarrar Said’s next work. A less ambitious story and a stronger editor is all that is needed to put him on the bestseller list.
July 17, 2020
Pureland is a beautifully written story. It transports you to so many different worlds, from a poor village, to a rich mansion - from the fictitious country of 'Pureland' to New York City. The characters are inspiring and range from light and witty to dark and tragic. The magical realism element is shown throughout the book. I loved the fact that it touches on so many different things - class, culture, religion, history, love, betrayal - but does so seamlessly through the lens of a single protagonist. I found the 'mystery' narrator to be quite an interesting way to tell the story. Overall I think this story has something to offer for anyone and you're bound to get something unexpected out of it. It definitely keeps you on your toes until the very end! Can't wait to read more from this author.
February 1, 2021
It was roo fictional for my taste. I figured out the plot twist as well. It was underwhelming.
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