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Little America
Born in a Karachi slum, Sharif Barkati became obsessed with "American" ideas of love and freedom at a very young age. He began to dream of a public place in the city that did not follow the rules, where people would be free to say and do whatever they wanted under open skies, away from the conservative eyes of Pakistani society. With the help of his friend Afzal - and TJ, an extremely wealthy Pakistani-American - Sharif was able to realize his dream in the form of a colossal compound on the Karachi coast, full of bars, cafes, clubs, and the people of Karachi strolling about, hand in hand. They called it Little America. Now in prison, Sharif tells the story of his life in a letter to his favorite novelist, hoping that he will turn it into a literary masterpiece. At once a rollicking journey around the mind of a man desperate to be free, an allegory of the neocolonial endeavour, and an investigation of the desire to emulate the perceived superior while desperately trying to hold on to one's own cultural identity, Little America asks the What, really, is freedom, and what can be sacrificed in its name?
305 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Zain Saeed
6 books4 followersZain Saeed earned his MFA from the University of Texas at Austin.
His debut novel, Little America, was published by Penguin Random House India in June 2021 and won the top prize at the 2022 Karachi Literary Festival.
His work has appeared in several places, including Glimmer Train, The Hindu BL ink, and the Freiburg Review.
He lives in Karachi, where he teaches literature and creative writing at Habib University.
His debut novel, Little America, was published by Penguin Random House India in June 2021 and won the top prize at the 2022 Karachi Literary Festival.
His work has appeared in several places, including Glimmer Train, The Hindu BL ink, and the Freiburg Review.
He lives in Karachi, where he teaches literature and creative writing at Habib University.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews
September 14, 2021
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. That's science, it's supposed to make sense in every situation. But what if the small step you took to make a change, make your imagination come to life, leads you to the path of destruction.
Utter chaos isn't it? That's the story of Sharif Barkati, stuck in prison writing his story for his author friend.
Sharif like many of us was blown away by the charm of the western living. His curiosity towards the American Life turned to an obsession, giving birth to the idea of Little America. A place for the free and the brilliant, a brainchild of Sharif Barkati that came to life when TJ, an extremely wealthy man joined hands. But is his city ready for this freedom?
To say this book is a masterpiece would be an understatement. From the awkward encounters to teenage lunacy, from depressed thoughts to brave decisions, this book will toy with your emotions. The author is a skillful storyteller, the many monologues of Sharif gave answers to the deepest questions in life. I was blown away by the city, the raw and robust city of Sharif Barkati.
This is a story to remember.
With a unique writing style, beguiling mix of characters and astounding plot, this book is a must read for sure!
Utter chaos isn't it? That's the story of Sharif Barkati, stuck in prison writing his story for his author friend.
Sharif like many of us was blown away by the charm of the western living. His curiosity towards the American Life turned to an obsession, giving birth to the idea of Little America. A place for the free and the brilliant, a brainchild of Sharif Barkati that came to life when TJ, an extremely wealthy man joined hands. But is his city ready for this freedom?
To say this book is a masterpiece would be an understatement. From the awkward encounters to teenage lunacy, from depressed thoughts to brave decisions, this book will toy with your emotions. The author is a skillful storyteller, the many monologues of Sharif gave answers to the deepest questions in life. I was blown away by the city, the raw and robust city of Sharif Barkati.
This is a story to remember.
With a unique writing style, beguiling mix of characters and astounding plot, this book is a must read for sure!
December 13, 2021
I am glad for a chance to read & review #littleamerica by @zainsaeed as I love reading debuts from our authors. The theme of this book is as bizarre & outrageous as it can get. It is a story of Sharif Barkati, who is passionate/ obsessed with the idea of love & freedom of living as one wishes to live just like in America, be it education, sexual freedom, relationships, drinking, dancing, or dressing up & so on. He started working on his dream from his years in school by creating opportunities for people who wish to rebel against the traditional ideas of living. He started small until TJ came along with money & power to fulfill Sharif’s dream of Little America based on his initial draft of the place.
The book deals with almost everything considered taboo in the general sense of the word. It is bound to make you feel uncomfortable at various points because to have that kind of freedom in Pakistan is usually unimaginable.
However, I found it very interesting. The writing style is eloquent (it does have local slang used several times, though). The descriptions of Karachi - a city that witnesses so much every day but still keeps on giving - are gripping. The people adjusting themselves to literally everything that happens is astonishing.
It is remarkable to see the intensity of people craving freedom from the usual traditions. It reflects the deepest desires of the men, women, youngsters & how they act when given a chance to be completely free without judgment. The things one can do if one has money & power is another theme of this book. There is nothing you cannot do if you have money & the right contracts. It is heartbreaking to see the level of influence Americans have over our people.
The way Sharif’s dream turned into something else entirely when TJ took over with his American workers & how Sharif got sidelined is very well-written. The whole journey of being happy after seeing your dream being materialized to it becoming something else entirely with you ending up being wholly responsible for bad things along with the manipulation at the highest level is incredible. Emotions, love, trauma, friendships, grief, betrayal, acceptance, along with some very unexpected twists; this book has everything.
The book deals with almost everything considered taboo in the general sense of the word. It is bound to make you feel uncomfortable at various points because to have that kind of freedom in Pakistan is usually unimaginable.
However, I found it very interesting. The writing style is eloquent (it does have local slang used several times, though). The descriptions of Karachi - a city that witnesses so much every day but still keeps on giving - are gripping. The people adjusting themselves to literally everything that happens is astonishing.
It is remarkable to see the intensity of people craving freedom from the usual traditions. It reflects the deepest desires of the men, women, youngsters & how they act when given a chance to be completely free without judgment. The things one can do if one has money & power is another theme of this book. There is nothing you cannot do if you have money & the right contracts. It is heartbreaking to see the level of influence Americans have over our people.
The way Sharif’s dream turned into something else entirely when TJ took over with his American workers & how Sharif got sidelined is very well-written. The whole journey of being happy after seeing your dream being materialized to it becoming something else entirely with you ending up being wholly responsible for bad things along with the manipulation at the highest level is incredible. Emotions, love, trauma, friendships, grief, betrayal, acceptance, along with some very unexpected twists; this book has everything.
November 24, 2022
2 stars for the engaging writing style.
As far as the plot is concerned, nothing made sense. I just couldn't relate to the story or the characters. I felt no sympathy for anyone in the story. Disappointing.
As far as the plot is concerned, nothing made sense. I just couldn't relate to the story or the characters. I felt no sympathy for anyone in the story. Disappointing.
August 19, 2021
‘Little America’ is an ode to free identity, the agency of realizing free dreams and then looking up to sky to find hopes raining down. It is a heave of hope, of innocent sentiments about making a better life of ourselves, settle somewhere comfortable and indulge in stories of utopia. It harbours the tinge of western idealism, the concept of life’s perfection—it’s the East looking wayward at the West and creating a definition of idealistic American dream. The question remains, who resides in that dream and who realizes it?
‘Little America’ is a tale of imagination fuelling dreams for betterment and tickling the query of what it means to be really free. It pokes at the existing norms and carved living spaces, trying to investigate how much dream will they allow, and how much dream-making will they tolerate? An America within Karachi, an innocent human ceaselessly perspiring to build a cocoon separate from the shackles of society—this story is a heart-wrenching saga of making the ends meet. Written in the formats of friendly letters, ‘Little America’ is deeply personal and rivetingly haunting. It is potentially a glimpse of socio-political context at an interpersonal level, it is a nudge to think how much freedom can be imagined of, how much can be far-fetched and how much can be ideally graspable. Trying to explore the viability of western standards of 'free living', Zain Saeed's book captures the two sides of it--the dazzling snazzy exterior, and the enormous dark cost of it.
Thanks Penguin India for the copy.
‘Little America’ is a tale of imagination fuelling dreams for betterment and tickling the query of what it means to be really free. It pokes at the existing norms and carved living spaces, trying to investigate how much dream will they allow, and how much dream-making will they tolerate? An America within Karachi, an innocent human ceaselessly perspiring to build a cocoon separate from the shackles of society—this story is a heart-wrenching saga of making the ends meet. Written in the formats of friendly letters, ‘Little America’ is deeply personal and rivetingly haunting. It is potentially a glimpse of socio-political context at an interpersonal level, it is a nudge to think how much freedom can be imagined of, how much can be far-fetched and how much can be ideally graspable. Trying to explore the viability of western standards of 'free living', Zain Saeed's book captures the two sides of it--the dazzling snazzy exterior, and the enormous dark cost of it.
Thanks Penguin India for the copy.
December 24, 2021
Sharif Barkati, a man of ideas, dreams and freedom has made up his mind to give his country a real life- without boundations, where freedom comes naturally to all, a place unlike his, America. Since his childhood he was fascinated by the lives Americans live, and that is why he plans to bring it into his conservative country, Pakistan. I will not write about how he manages to fulfill his dream of a beautiful city by the sea side, instead my main concern is why one should read this book.
It talks about the American Dream in a sense of freedom of choice, a place where no one questions you for wearing shorts, or kissing in the park, or partying late night, which in no way was possible in Sharif's country. The mindset that the West is superior, the colonization which comes with it, are some of the reasons why Little America happened. The work is outrageous, painful, brilliant, shocking. The denouement is heart breaking, the shattering of dreams can be always painful, that is what Sharif narrates in his work.
I am totally in love with the writing, the narration is unique gripping, fast paced and literally kelp me hooked to the last word. The novel ends with a ray of hope, a story in unpredictable and quite realistic. I would recommend this book to all the people who wish to read something with a utopia as its core.
It talks about the American Dream in a sense of freedom of choice, a place where no one questions you for wearing shorts, or kissing in the park, or partying late night, which in no way was possible in Sharif's country. The mindset that the West is superior, the colonization which comes with it, are some of the reasons why Little America happened. The work is outrageous, painful, brilliant, shocking. The denouement is heart breaking, the shattering of dreams can be always painful, that is what Sharif narrates in his work.
I am totally in love with the writing, the narration is unique gripping, fast paced and literally kelp me hooked to the last word. The novel ends with a ray of hope, a story in unpredictable and quite realistic. I would recommend this book to all the people who wish to read something with a utopia as its core.
May 18, 2022
‘I know what we have to do. I hope you will listen. I hope you will let me build your idea.’
...‘Yes’, I wrote, ‘ I will be your partner.’ I sent it to TJ.
This book was a fresh and honest depiction on being a male born in the lowest socioeconomic strata of Pakistan desirous of wealth, fame, love and sexual empowerment Hollywood blockbuster style. It reflects the South Asian society with satire and wit where religion and cultural norms cloud over academic and scientific reasoning.
“…it is widely accepted that those suffering from extreme sadness and heightened, meditative guilt-these are mostly thinkers, revolutionaries, martyrs-”
This political fiction relates the hyperbolic pop culture of the West as fodder for daydreaming. The main character is a slum kid Sharif Barkati who is developed along with the reader through the novel’s flashbacks and first person narration ingeniously through letter-writing.
The reality of a disadvantaged youth aspiring to be something that requires losing everything is as Barkati constructs his dream into a nightmare.
‘There are thirty-three men like him buried in the foundations of our America.’
What it is like to live the proverb - the grass is greener on the other side of the fence-is the sad reality of many young South Asians who are confused with their family values and grappling with the effects of geopolitical strategies of superpowers.
‘I knew as I closed the book and put it on my lap that Little America would have to go.’
For an avid reader like myself who likes to write occasionally, I noticed that there is inspirational use of dialogue as the main tool for characterization. The terse but meaningful dialogues coupled with first person narration is a fine art of balance by the author Zain Saeed.
Starting from the brilliant cover design by Sarmad Hashmi for the book to the title and the details of the city of Karachi was just a joyous treat to read. Sentences like-
‘A stray dog darted past, running after a floating plastic bag’ and rich colloquial humour such as ‘two chickpeas in a chaat, born so far apart yet of one mind’. Subtly hilarious with dark deceptions folded in the plot-what an amazing example of writer’s craft!
This book with its skepticism towards modern western ideologies and apt description of postmodern culture can easily become a favourite for a screenplay or an independent movie or short film that can attain great heights like those of Slumdog Millionaire and other rags to riches storylines.
...‘Yes’, I wrote, ‘ I will be your partner.’ I sent it to TJ.
This book was a fresh and honest depiction on being a male born in the lowest socioeconomic strata of Pakistan desirous of wealth, fame, love and sexual empowerment Hollywood blockbuster style. It reflects the South Asian society with satire and wit where religion and cultural norms cloud over academic and scientific reasoning.
“…it is widely accepted that those suffering from extreme sadness and heightened, meditative guilt-these are mostly thinkers, revolutionaries, martyrs-”
This political fiction relates the hyperbolic pop culture of the West as fodder for daydreaming. The main character is a slum kid Sharif Barkati who is developed along with the reader through the novel’s flashbacks and first person narration ingeniously through letter-writing.
The reality of a disadvantaged youth aspiring to be something that requires losing everything is as Barkati constructs his dream into a nightmare.
‘There are thirty-three men like him buried in the foundations of our America.’
What it is like to live the proverb - the grass is greener on the other side of the fence-is the sad reality of many young South Asians who are confused with their family values and grappling with the effects of geopolitical strategies of superpowers.
‘I knew as I closed the book and put it on my lap that Little America would have to go.’
For an avid reader like myself who likes to write occasionally, I noticed that there is inspirational use of dialogue as the main tool for characterization. The terse but meaningful dialogues coupled with first person narration is a fine art of balance by the author Zain Saeed.
Starting from the brilliant cover design by Sarmad Hashmi for the book to the title and the details of the city of Karachi was just a joyous treat to read. Sentences like-
‘A stray dog darted past, running after a floating plastic bag’ and rich colloquial humour such as ‘two chickpeas in a chaat, born so far apart yet of one mind’. Subtly hilarious with dark deceptions folded in the plot-what an amazing example of writer’s craft!
This book with its skepticism towards modern western ideologies and apt description of postmodern culture can easily become a favourite for a screenplay or an independent movie or short film that can attain great heights like those of Slumdog Millionaire and other rags to riches storylines.
August 17, 2022
There is no review I can write that will do this book justice. Such beautiful and eloquent writing with descriptions of Karachi that you want to read and re read. A book that will make you feel uncomfortable at times and want to live in it’s world at others.
There are so many layers to this book. It’s not a very simple story and it’s not very simply told. This book is a transcript of the book the protagonist would like his friend to write. A book about his life, his journey. But his journey is something that will make you question your own identity as a citizen of a formerly colonised country.
I want to reread this book again, I want to highlight and underline everything I found beautiful and ugly (because even the ugly was beautiful). Without giving too much away I would like to say I did not like how the final actions of Sharif, the ones that landed him in jail, are sort of translated as heroic. Not enough negativity was shed on those actions. But I did love the final pages of the book. Heart breaking and impactful.
There are so many layers to this book. It’s not a very simple story and it’s not very simply told. This book is a transcript of the book the protagonist would like his friend to write. A book about his life, his journey. But his journey is something that will make you question your own identity as a citizen of a formerly colonised country.
I want to reread this book again, I want to highlight and underline everything I found beautiful and ugly (because even the ugly was beautiful). Without giving too much away I would like to say I did not like how the final actions of Sharif, the ones that landed him in jail, are sort of translated as heroic. Not enough negativity was shed on those actions. But I did love the final pages of the book. Heart breaking and impactful.
December 13, 2021
I had the privilege of attending a book launch with Zain Saeed. As a person, he is immensely intelligent, witty, and terribly entertaining. I bought the book right after, had it signed by him, and it is now one of my prized possessions.
I was looking forward to reading his book. I was not disappointed. It is hard to find desi authors that one likes. Zain Saeed has, with his debut novel has immediately become one of my favorites.
I don't want to ruin the plot for you, but I spent hours thinking about it after I finished, its implications, the commentary on our society, culture, religion. At a few points I shed a tear or two, both for the state of the society it depicted, not far from the truth, and for the characters and the ways tragedy befell them. He did not cater to a western audience in his writing, and therefore, there was no fluff. Just Pakistan, specifically Karachi in it's gritty, sometimes gory detail.
I loved this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was looking forward to reading his book. I was not disappointed. It is hard to find desi authors that one likes. Zain Saeed has, with his debut novel has immediately become one of my favorites.
I don't want to ruin the plot for you, but I spent hours thinking about it after I finished, its implications, the commentary on our society, culture, religion. At a few points I shed a tear or two, both for the state of the society it depicted, not far from the truth, and for the characters and the ways tragedy befell them. He did not cater to a western audience in his writing, and therefore, there was no fluff. Just Pakistan, specifically Karachi in it's gritty, sometimes gory detail.
I loved this book. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
October 4, 2021
This incapulating blundering mess of an academic attempt at a bourgeoisie interpretation of cultural identity and art comes across as a shallow meandering trail of theatrics, I do wonder the point of it all?
March 22, 2023
Fascinating utopia turned dystopia, neo-colonialism and burst infatuation.
August 10, 2023
Oh my! I'm absolutely in LOVE with the writing
May 21, 2025
I have very mixed opinions but overall I liked it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews