The Lost Children of Paradise

by Omar Gilani

A self-driving cargo container crashes in rural Pakistan. Inside are forty-six kidnapped street children...

As a grizzled, semi-retired policewala living in rural twenty-second century Pakistan, Officer Nawaz had long ago substituted any notions of heroism with a pretty impressive drinking habit. But when he comes across a crashed cargo container near his hometown, carrying kidnapped street children, curiosity drives him to investigate. Fate pairs him up with Adil Khan, a young, idealistic, and rather annoying space cadet from the global Confederation. Their investigation uncovers a treacherous conspiracy, and now they must challenge everything they thought they knew about the country, and themselves, if they want to solve the case - and make it out alive.

This science-fiction detective mystery unfolds against the unique backdrop of a futuristic Pakistan. While most of the developed world looks to the stars, Pakistan finds itself embroiled in age-old problems, and the two officers, along with a string of supporting characters, must face challenges at once unique and timeless in order to untangle the mystery of the kidnapped container children.

Genres: Science Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2021

Reviews

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I generally loathe self-published Muslamic novels (thanks to garbage writing and an offensive lack of basic editing involved), every once in a while, one catches my attention... in a good way.

"The Lost Children of Paradise: A Pakistani Science Fiction Novel" by Omar Gilani is one such example. Pulled in by the author's cover art (check out his IG account for gorgeous Sci fi art!), and intrigued by the promise of Muslamic Sci fi, I downloaded the ebook on Kindle (last year). I read about 20% of the book, found myself annoyed by the lack of editing and rough writing, and abandoned it. On a five-hour-flight, I had little to do other than flip through my Kindle app, and figured I'd give it another shot.

This time, I was pulled in. The story starts slowly - set in a futuristic, dystopian Pakistan, with a shiny, idealistic space cadet named Adil who leaves Space Headquarters (not the actual name) for a 2 day rotation on Earth's Pakistan, and Office Nawaz Khan, a gone-to-seed, mildly disgusting policewala who can't be arsed to care much about his job, imbibes chai and pakorae at a local village dhaba in between hangovers.
Both men find themselves caught up in what begins with a container of missing children, and ends up being an elaborate web of corruption, medical experiments, murders, and more. A techno-genius courtesan and an impish street boy complete the cast of this sci-fi adventure, well-flavoured with the grimy scents of Pakistani street life alongside cyborgs and advanced technology.

This book reminded me that perfect writing doesn't always mean excellent storytelling, and vice versa. Though the writing needs a significant amount of work (my editor brain was working double time as I read), the story itself is original, intriguing, and exciting.
It is very much an adult novel, more culturally Pakistani than really Muslamic, and filled with swear words. It's also a genuinely creative story and absolutely worth wading through the poor writing for.

With some solid editing, and ideally a whole gallery of accompanying illustrations, this book could be an amazing piece of non-Eurocentric sci-fi. I hope the author invests in developing his skills, because he has true storytelling talent!

3/5 for writing, 4.75/5 for storytelling

#bookstagram #Muslimbookstagram #WeNeedDiverseBooks #SciFi #sciencefiction #Pakistaniscifi #Pakistanifiction #OwnVoices #bookreview #Pakistan

[Reema Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. The whole Pakistan Sci-fi setting was quite exciting. I felt like it was a good first attempt from this author. The story however didn't seem unique; a secret criminal organisation comprising of elite people of the society, high ranked police officials, and Gundas; all executing a high level program of creating a secret army in a secret place (i will leave out the details).
Also, I wish that the author could have built Nawaz and Adil's relationship more. I couldn't feel a strong connection between these two.
I did like the part where Nawaz's mother dies, that part was very well written. I could feel the pain. The Dhaba, samosa, and chai was quite relatable .
Overall, it's a simple basic story with a Sci-fi touch to it.

[Bruce Harrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great find

Sparkling character development and world building; noir from a Pakistan several centuries ahead. Love the dialogue, love the plot. Brin ton another please 🙏🏼

[Laila Kasuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few writers from the sub-continent who write sci-fi and even fewer who can write black comedy. The writing style reminded me a little of Vernon God Little, but is perhaps more unique because there are few Pakistani writers (or even writers from the entire sub-continent) who endeavor into new genres like this. It is so relieving to hear a voice that is not the typical South Asian voice and challenges stereotypes of what South Asians can write. Sci fi and thrillers should not just be a genre relegated to the West. Thank you Omar Gilani for this contribution! Your writing is as brilliant as your art!

[Mome Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I highly recommend that anyone reading the book take a moment to look at the artwork on the author's website. Not only is the artwork stunning but it will also you help you visually understand the world created by the author in this novel.

The Lost Children of Paradise is mystery novel that takes place in a futuristic Pakistan. It has an entertaining and engaging story line which had an unexpected ending. The story takes current day corruption and crime and places it in a futuristic setting with flying cars, holograms, and humans with bionic implants. Officer Nawaz was my favorite character and the man in the purple suit was the perfect vicious villain.

I think Sara deserved more of a back story and should have been a deeper part of the main plot. I noticed that the book didn't translate or explain most of the foreign words so a reader unfamiliar with Urdu or the Pakistani culture might feel a bit lost.

I recommend this book and promise you won't be disappointed!

[mesal · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5 stars

What I really liked about this book was the worldbuilding. Gilani is already a visionary with respect to his art, painting distant futures of Pakistan that are somehow feasible and convincing despite their science fictional nature, and this translates well into his fiction. There were a few aspects of the world in this novel that I felt could have been explained better—why did beggars on the streets have prosthetic arms, aside from their obvious contribution to the aesthetic?—but on the whole, this futuristic Pakistan was gratifying to explore.

The plot of The Lost Children of Paradise was less compelling. It read like the detective fiction of the 1900s, following a very specific if slightly unoriginal formula to reach its expected conclusion. I'm not a fan of this subgenre, but I understand that it's loved by many. If you're looking for your next crime fiction fix but with an entirely unique setting, you may well enjoy this book.

[Tanya G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling debut that captivates the reader from the first page, Omar Gilani is most certainly one young author the world will want more content from. This page-turner checks all the necessary boxes- an intense plot and characters who carry the weight of their burdens and secrets, in the backdrop of a futuristic and marginalized Pakistan; elementsj some locals can already relate with. Omar casts a spell with his eloquence and natural story telling, mounting suspense when secrets begin to unfold along the way and new horizons open. It really doesn’t get better than this; one can only hope Gilani maintains the same level of expression in his subsequent works.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ease and flair with which this young writer arouses and sustains reader interest in his debut novel is commendable. Set in futuristic Pakistan, Omar Gilani's story flows between vices such as greed, power and corruption; highlights class divide and privilege, until it reaches the climax, and that is just when the story actually begins and everything seems to unravel! His unique style of narration brings with it a fresh and interesting perspective, and readers pining for more can only hope this is just the beginning.

[Terry Polston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A futuristic Pakistan where old world meets new world. The elite keep out the lower and middle class by a literal wall and then spread propaganda about them. What they were doing to the children was alluded to, but never really set down and the ending was loose, so maybe the author is working on a sequel.
But why did so many children have robotic parts?
The translation could have been better and a glossary of Pakistani terms would have been nice.

[آية]

Too much stuff happening TO the characters, not enough showing who the characters are and what makes them unique. Too much action basically and one event after another and I didn’t have the patience to try to connect with characters that were connecting with me

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done

While set in the future this is a mystery/thriller. Someone is taking children off the street for unknown purposes. A small group is trying to find out who is responsible.

[Urooj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lost children of paradise is a brilliant piece of art refelecting the furture of pakistani soceity and effects of AI governance on society.This little masterpiece is the amalgamation of social,politicl and cultural shift of tradtional pakistani society to digital pakistani socety.

[Neelam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“a smile that would make a molvi tear down a minaret”
I was hooked from the first page, would make an incredible film!

[Jiya · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some major flaws and plot holes in this novel.

[mahnoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

plot so good i 1) forgot how glaringly obvious it is that a man wrote this book and 2) ended up liking a lowlife loser like nawaz at the end

[Joshua Wiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the setting of this novel - science fiction and Pakistan - two of my favourite things. It’s a very interesting imagining of a future world where Pakistan is still Pakistan but operating differently with the advancements of technology and space travel. Some things change a lot and some things never change.

[Linda Heintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read

I’m so glad I took a chance on this book! It was very engaging with wonderful characters, fair world building and plenty of excitement. I was completely engaged and could hardly put it down. I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.

[Christine Johal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!

This is a great book! So unique!

I found this book by chance but was not disappointed. “A Pakistani science fiction novel? What the heck is this?” I asked myself. I’ve read a lot of books and was looking for something atypical. This little gem did not disappoint.

Pick it up. Read it.

PS: I’m secretly in love with Officer Nawaz so I want you all to meet the guy. If he doesn’t make you laugh at least once, you’re a droid.

[Amber Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story…. It transported me to that time. Was vivid and powerful. Highly recommended.

[Hidayat Ullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your arts and literatures are forcing me to have a wonderful life and take me to heaven. You are absolutely into the world of fiction. You are the one in the country who has grip on
sci fi.

[Chandi Riaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Riveting and beautifully written.