Reviews

The Return of Faraz Ali by Aamina Ahmad

girlglitch's review

4.0

The Return of Faraz Ali is an impressive historical debut, set in post-partition Pakistan.

It's more of a family epic than a mystery, which threw me a little at first, but I was soon swept up by the complex characters and rich historical detail. While it's a very personal story of Faraz's journey, Ahmad also manages to take wider political landscape of this turbulent era as the characters, trapped by their different circumstances, fight to survive.

It's a smart and sometimes heavy-going novel: one I would describe as a rewarding rather than enjoyable read.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

sumsayyah's review against another edition

5.0

An emotional powerhouse of a book. It’s 1968 and Faraz Ali, a young police officer, returns to his birthplace in the Mohalla, Lahore’s red-light district, to investigate the murder of a young girl - but this is so much more than a crime mystery. It’s a sweeping story that spans decades, from the birth of Pakistan during World War II to Bangladeshi Independence, recounting how gender, class, caste, and revolution intersperse with the lives of both corrupt military generals and the dancers and their daughters living in the Mohalla. Each character feels deeply human - written with intense vulnerability and intimacy. Aamina Ahmed somehow manages to immerse you in the soil of the subcontinent itself - it is richly detailed and evocations of fear, grief, power, and belonging are masterfully executed. Ahmed especially shines in her capture of her female characters and her compassionate treatment of them as they navigate the few, difficult choices available to them. The novel’s scope is large and at times goes a little too long and winding (if you’re not familiar with South Asian history or overwhelmed by changes in POVs/time periods, it may take a while to get the hang of it) - but it is tied up perfectly at the end, a masterful unraveling of the complex characters, events, and perpetual desperation for personhood that define Pakistani history. 

caroline88's review

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

crazycatplantlady's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

cassf's review

4.0

Really enjoyed the story and the history but had trouble following the book at the beginning.

brian06's review

2.0

This book just never really grabbed hold of me. It was very slow moving with too many characters, too many sub-plots and a bit confusing.

ammbooks's review against another edition

4.0

disturbing in many ways. the price that the under privileged pay in the power games of the entitled. strong characters dealing with the cards life has dealt them trying to find the meaning of home, self and family.

mmirza's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

xofelia's review

4.0

This book had captivating writing, tragic characters, and poignant family relationships.
I would recommend it to people who are looking more for good writing than storytelling.

loujbee's review

3.0

This was a slow burn for me, there seemed to be a lot going on before tying it all together with an engaging few final chapters. A seemingly simple crime story beginning in Lahore’s red light district becoming more complex and spanning a few generations of a small but connected mixed family group.

Some beautiful writing and imagery but the engagement came too late for me to really love this book.
3.5, book.