Book: “A Lone Long Walk”
Author: Tahir Mehmood
Genre: Short-Stories (Fiction)
Publisher: Ferozsons (Pvt.) Ltd.
Publication Year: March-2020
Pages: 116, Price: Rs 395
Reviewed by Asma Ishaq
Pick up Tahir Mehmood’s book “A Lone Long Walk” and you will enjoy reading it
till the last page. The book consists of short stories that the writer wrote
over a span of six years – from 2014 to 2019. The 116-page book published by
Pakistan’s leading Ferozsons fully serves for the pleasurable-leisure-reading.
Like any established story-teller, he chose ‘love’ and ‘life’ as his main
subject to write about. However, soldiery, call of duty, mystery, union and
separation also range throughout his stories. These stories may also be called a
product of his long service years in the military,his strong reading of the
human-traits and interactions with fellow humans and subordinates also come
visible. The title of the book‘A Lone Long Walk’ is itselfwrapped in the mystery
that attracts the reader who believes in the thought that “Life is nothing but a
journey to walk all alone”.
Story is a ‘narration’ in one word. Tahir Mehmood successfully usesthe literary
genreof his ‘gripping narrative’ in writing all these stories, which are mostly
writtenin the third-person account;it is a popular butdifficult literary genre
where the writer must develop an engaging plot for developing the stories as
well as for the reader’s attraction. Usually,such ‘gripping narrations’ are
written about the wartime-adventures, love and life, union and separation, and
tribute to the Nature. Almost in all his stories, the author brings a
‘moving-narration’ and ‘motivating-impression’ while utilizing all thesesubjects
for the chosen plots. He has maintained it well to catch-hold the reader’s
attention to take them to the end. His grip remains firm in narrating the
ongoing events of the stories. Moreover, he has tactfully intertwined the
events. At one point, these very events become compelling and engrossing for the
readers in order to know the end. One must say, it’s a book to be read in one
go.
As the writer has chosen the stories ofsoldiers in particular,one may trace some
glimpses of the Elizabethan Tragedyin these tales. He has tried much betterto
have written the stories where the ‘hero’ of the story must have to die or to
meet a ‘dreadful’destiny. The stories aremelancholic in nature where the hero
contributes something really greater to sacrifice. This sacrifice maybe the
hero’s‘life’ or ‘love’ both in pursuit of ‘call of duty’. His stories ‘He Chose
to Die’, ‘From Piccadilly to Gatwick’ and ‘The Remains’ are good examples in
this regard. Whereas, in couple of stories,it is just the ‘fate’ that brings
separation in between the two ‘star-crossed-lovers.’
The expression of the stories iseloquentone, yet somewhere it is esoteric too.
Each story sharesa good amount of knowledge and wisdom about‘life’. It’s not
wrong to say that the writer’s philosophical interpretation of ‘life’ is similar
to that of Khalil Gibran. Tahir Mahmoodseems touching all the realms of life
–‘romance’, ‘courage’ and ‘morals’...He has given an intellectual meaning with a
guideto decipher the secrets of ‘life’.He has alsobrought in discussion the
dilemmas and miseries of ‘life’ like ‘poverty’, ‘injustice’, ‘violence’ and
‘usurpation’ in a thought-provoking manner.
One added beauty of these stories is the use of literary devices like
‘personification’, ‘metaphors’ and ‘imagery’.Likewise,is the writer’s excellent
use of the imaginative skill. The two stories: ‘A Cloud Above the Land’ and ‘A
Town Beyond Sorrow’ are an excellent example of the mentioned
characteristics.The writer personifies a ‘Cloud’ and ‘Land’ to depict the
complexities of the love-relationship in manner of a conversation. The ‘Cloud’
represents a ‘free-lover’ while the ‘Land’ symbolizes a lover seeking comfort in
the uninterrupted companionship. The puppeteer and marionettein ‘A Town Beyond
Sorrow’ is an amazing conversation about the human evolution. It is about how a
human growsfrom the formative years into a complete functioning mode. This
storyalso points out the challenging phases of a human’s growth;the author
metaphorically callsthe human a ‘nomad’, a ‘vagabond’ and a ‘traveller’.
‘A Lone Long Walk’ is a treat to the readers who like to read something unique
or different line of thought. Justifiable to say,Tahir Mehmood is a welcome
addition in the list ofprolific writers of ourcontemporary era.It is a
proven-fact that an indigenous writer that he is, is always found effectiveto
bring and discuss the prevalent issues in a constructive manner. Tahir Mahmood
has done it well. His main purpose to write these stories is primarily to pass
on the ‘knowledge’, ‘wisdom’ and ‘truth’ to fellow humans. His stories are
riveting;nevertheless, helpful to understand‘life’. ‘Love’, ‘Life’, ‘Call of
Duty’ are his catch words. His propitious effort must be appreciated for the
reason to have received more guiding-books in the future.
(Asma is senior school teacher)