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Babu Nagar / بابو نگر
A satire.
608 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 19, 2013
This is a satirical collection of short stories, that shed light on the lives and times of people living in Babu Nagar, i.e, "The Land of the Mighty".
The word Babu's literal translation is quite difficult, so I'll just explain it the best way I can. Babu is s person that was either born with power and privilege, or he has attained it through right or wrong means. He is someone who represents the hierarchy of Pakistan. Either way, he isn't using his affluence for good. "Babu" is the character bereft of ideals, bent on having his own way and furthering his own agenda. So, how can his subjects be any different?
Masterfully illustrated by the acclaimed cartoonist Javed Iqbal, the stories in this book allow us a look inside the lives of those same Babu's. It allows us to laugh at them and at ourselves
Here is another review on this book.
"These writings depict a sober, intelligent and lively humor that represents a nation’s cultural status. So if flipped through it seems like a “comedy” and if read thoughtfully then a “tragedy”. Wherever the rivers flow on our realm, that land despite its barren geography still isn’t bereft of greenery. I can say the same thing for this book, that where it will go there will be no shortage of smiles."
Syed Zameer Jaffery
The word Babu's literal translation is quite difficult, so I'll just explain it the best way I can. Babu is s person that was either born with power and privilege, or he has attained it through right or wrong means. He is someone who represents the hierarchy of Pakistan. Either way, he isn't using his affluence for good. "Babu" is the character bereft of ideals, bent on having his own way and furthering his own agenda. So, how can his subjects be any different?
Masterfully illustrated by the acclaimed cartoonist Javed Iqbal, the stories in this book allow us a look inside the lives of those same Babu's. It allows us to laugh at them and at ourselves
Here is another review on this book.
"These writings depict a sober, intelligent and lively humor that represents a nation’s cultural status. So if flipped through it seems like a “comedy” and if read thoughtfully then a “tragedy”. Wherever the rivers flow on our realm, that land despite its barren geography still isn’t bereft of greenery. I can say the same thing for this book, that where it will go there will be no shortage of smiles."
Syed Zameer Jaffery
December 24, 2015
This work is another testimony to the fact that despite suffering over-riding and all-encompassing destructiveness of officialdom for over 35 years, a genuinely creative spirit could not be quashed. Not only did it survive the rigors of 9-5/24 hours near nonsense, it found some hard lessons to share. And shared they were, in style.
Essentially a satire, the book is a journey through everyday life, providing contexts to look at events from a different angle. Observation of the writer, coupled with the finesse of the literary mind, have successfully created scenarios that one comes across as a matter of routine but does not mentally register in their full perspective.
Not the first literary contribution by an ex civil servant, its uniqueness lies in it being seamlessly instructive and its appeal to the inner most sensitivities of a conscientious reader. In a lighter vain of its own kind, the book is a thought provoking commentary on nearly all segments of our society. One may not burst into laughter while reading it but a grudging smile forces itself for a short while, soon igniting appreciation of stark and painful realities of the disastrous course our nation continuous to follow.
Essentially a satire, the book is a journey through everyday life, providing contexts to look at events from a different angle. Observation of the writer, coupled with the finesse of the literary mind, have successfully created scenarios that one comes across as a matter of routine but does not mentally register in their full perspective.
Not the first literary contribution by an ex civil servant, its uniqueness lies in it being seamlessly instructive and its appeal to the inner most sensitivities of a conscientious reader. In a lighter vain of its own kind, the book is a thought provoking commentary on nearly all segments of our society. One may not burst into laughter while reading it but a grudging smile forces itself for a short while, soon igniting appreciation of stark and painful realities of the disastrous course our nation continuous to follow.
December 24, 2015
Yeh kitaab itni dilchasp hai, ky subah shuru karain aur sham ko kahtam ker lain. Aur itni bhari bhi hai ky pura saal parhty rahain aur kahatm na ho. Moashery ky itny dukhi pehluon ko ujager kia hua hai ky app muskurana bhool jain. Laikin beyaan itna shugufta hai ky mukuraiy bagair nahi raha ja sakta.
Kirdaron ko dhoondy ky liay kahin door nahi jana parta, balky app ky aas paas hi nazar aty hain. Koi mehmaan ki surat mein, aur koi mezbaan. Koi ustad ki shakal mein aur koi shagird. Koi afser aur koi mahtehat. Vo sab kirdaar app ki zindagi ka hissa hain.
Mazmoono ki baat kerain to vo bhi itny aasan aur dilpazeer ky app ko lagy ga keh kahani to meiny abhi daikhi hai.
Kirdaron ko dhoondy ky liay kahin door nahi jana parta, balky app ky aas paas hi nazar aty hain. Koi mehmaan ki surat mein, aur koi mezbaan. Koi ustad ki shakal mein aur koi shagird. Koi afser aur koi mahtehat. Vo sab kirdaar app ki zindagi ka hissa hain.
Mazmoono ki baat kerain to vo bhi itny aasan aur dilpazeer ky app ko lagy ga keh kahani to meiny abhi daikhi hai.
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December 24, 2018read it emmezing book
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews