Picture of the Day: Mukhtaran – Musharraf Book Race

Posted on November 15, 2006
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Books, People, Photo of the Day, Women
13 Comments
Total Views: 27857

Adil Najam

We are planning a more detailed review of Mukhtaran Mai’s book In the Name of Honor: A Memoir and also a post on the developments with the rape laws later tonight. Meanwhile, we have of course carried a lot on Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s book In the Line of Fire: A Memoir.

However, I can’t resist the temptation to put up this picture from an Islamabad bookstore, published in the Daily Times (15 November, 2006) that shows the two books displayed side by side. I will not over diagnose it right now, but I find the portraits of both Mukhtaran and Gen. Musharraf interesting depictions, especially when placed side-by-side. I would also love to find out which book the gentleman in the background in reading.

So do keep an eye on this space for more on Mukhtaran Mai’s book and also more on the rape law developments. But, meanwhile, ponder upon this news photo.

13 responses to “Picture of the Day: Mukhtaran – Musharraf Book Race”

  1. readinglord says:

    @Adil Najam

    Mukhtaran Mai has recently opened up a new book of her life by marrying as a second wife of a police constable of her village who has already a wife and a few children. She gives preposterous excuses for doing so.

    Why not call comments on this wonderful book of her life also!

    What an NGO-Media fraud it is!

  2. monica says:

    the memoir “in the name of honour” is a beautiful flow of simple words from a woman who knows no fancy. a truly courageous and remarakable book which has touched my heart and stirred an emotion deeply seated that it will always be a man’s world until we women get up and fight for our place under the sun.

  3. Phil says:

    [quote comment=”10053″]Mukhtaran Mais book is published by teh same people at Musharafs book (Simon and Schuster). Also the subtitle of the two is the same (A Memoir). Also, the titles are very similar (In the… ‘Line of Fire’ and ‘Name of Honor’). Coincidence?[/quote]
    My word!

  4. Saadia Khan says:

    I read the (both German and French) Mukhtar’s Mai book. I liked it as it made me to believe that author did not play with the words to make the book as piece of some scholaristic stuff but tried to tell the real story. I was feeling that Mukhtar Mai was sitting and telling me her story. (A simple woman with her simple words telling the truth)!

    Little Prince was a book which is very simply written but gives a very strong message to us. Same is with Mukhtar’s Mai book which looks very simple but gives a very strong message to its reader and only one can get that who will not see it as a piece of art or Novel.

  5. Ambreen Ali says:

    Farzana,
    Kristoff wrote an introduction to the book. The book is written down by two French interviewers who listened to Mukhtaran Mai’s narrative of her story. The book was then translated from French to English.

    It becomes very obvious as you read it that it was written by a Western eye. It’s a very basic novel (I think a fourth grader could read it), perhaps because a lot of depth got lost in translation. The outcome is an assumption that because she is a village girl, she is simple.

    I didn’t like the book at all, but I’ll save any more critique for the actual book review on ATP.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*