Tapping into the rarely mined reportages of Qurratulain Hyder, Syed Akbar Hyder crosses the River of Fire with grace to bring us a gift of interconnected histories, astute political commentaries, and ecumenical spiritual assemblies. This riveting book with its vibrant lyrical tapestry is a ticket to join Qurratulain Hyder as she travels and takes on the world, defying the borders between fiction and non-fiction, between prose and poetry, and most importantly, between the languages, ideologies, and histories that divide us.
Muzaffar Alam, George V. Bobrinsky Professor at the University of Chicago
The first serious study of a major Indian writer to appear in English, S. Akbar Hyders splendid book represents a milestone in the literary history of South Asia. His subject is not so much an important woman writer of the twentieth century, but the way in which she was able to rethink both the history of India and through it that of the world in startlingly novel ways. A real achievement.
Faisal Devji, Professor of Indian History, University of Oxford
Among the most acclaimed Urdu writers of the 20th century, Qurratulain Hyders electrifying personality comes alive in this illuminating study of her vast literary corpus and the myriad influences that informed her enlightened world view. A skilled and imaginative reader of Indo-Persianate literature, Syed Akbar Hyders probing analysis of Qurratulains writings, notably her autobiography and Urdu reportage makes for an engaging and instructive read. Enthusiasts of Urdu literature and her many admirers the world over will find a profusion of insights here into the life and work of a dynamic, innovative, and fiercely independent woman who has left her mark on the history of Urdu literature.
Ayesha Jalal, Mary Richardson Professor of History at Tufts University and the recipient of the 1998 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
Many of us think we know Qurratulain's work, but all too often that comes down to little more than knowing g k Dary. The present study elegantly refocuses our attention by instead taking her reportages as her historical and ideological coordinates over time. Among these, she seems most notably to have invented a powerfully mariyah-like genre called an 'lam shob that can truly be said to live up to its name. She also makes subtle use of the Iqbalian concept of harj, which the study unpacks for us in a particularly revelatory way. In short, if you want to deepen your understanding of Qurratulain and her work, this excellent study is an ideal guide.
Frances Pritchett, Professor Emeritus, Columbia University
