Dil, Diya, Dehleez / دل دیا دہلیز

by Riffat Siraj

The novel is about a woman named Zaitoon Bano and her life revolving around her of sorrow and pain. Based on her own revenge, she influences the lives of many without realizing how her actions can impact others. The story unfolds over two generations and reveals the secrets of many characters. Based against the backdrop of the feudal system and looks at its resultant class distinctions.

928 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Shabana Mukhtar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dil, Diya, Dehleez is one of the earliest novels I read in the digest. I remember how I eagerly waited for next month's edition and devour the episode in one sitting. Even during the annual exams, I would sneak the digest in my textbook and read the episode. This book has special place in my heart, for this is one of those memories from my teenage years.

It is such a beautifully written story, and has one of the best characters building. I always say, everyone has daemons to fight. This book has a LOT of such characters, and so relatable too. Like any good narration, all the sub-plots start separately and gradully tie-in toegether. Not too slow, either. The chain of yearning was first in this book. Balu for Arif, Arif for Mutraba, Mutraba for Taimur, and Taimur had other dreams.

There are oh-that's-unbelievable bits too. There is beauty and handsomeness in abundance. Nobody is bad-looking. Be it Roshi, or Bari, or Yawar, or Taimur, or Mutraba, or Jhoomar, or Nazneen - Nazneen I always imagined as a fairy. Too bright and shiny for sight.

One side note:
This was adapted for TV. I was so fascinated with the story, that I wanted to 'see' it, too. However, I was utterly disappointed. The first look of Roshane was enough to ruin it for me. Babasahab was a strict man, and the girls' dressing was not reflecting the atmosphere they belonged to.

Some of the cast members were perfect for the role. As in, they were just how I had imagined them to be while reading (and daydreaming) about them.

[Nasreen Ghori · Rating 3 out of 5]

اگر جو آج سے کم از کم بیس سال قبل پڑھا ہوتا تو جو چار رومینٹک جملے غلطی سے رائٹر نے لکھ دیے بس وہی ناول کا حاصل وصول ہوتے۔ لیکن "کیا جانیے تونے اسے کس حال میں دیکھا" عمر اس مقام پر پہنچ چکی ہے کہ کچھ بھی پڑھ لو اس میں سے کچھ نہ کچھ فلسفہ برامد ہوہی جائےگا۔

تو برامد یہ ہوا کہ :
محبت انسان کو بس خوار ہی کر سکتی ہے۔ اور انتقام لینے پر آئے تو ہنستے بستے گھر کو آگ لگا دے
اچھی صورت اچھی قسمت کی ضمانت نہیں ہوتی۔
انسان ایسے ہی کھڑوس نہیں ہوجاتا ، وقت کرتا ہےپرورش برسوں

اور جو دو جملے پورے ناول میں سمجھ آئے وہ یہ کہ:
ذہین عورت مرد کے لیے سزا ہوتی ہے ۔
محبت عادت ہوسکتی ہے لیکن عشق سراسر مجبوری
:)

[Sana Basharat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Such a heart-breaking story with awesome characters. I'm so in love with Bari!!!!

[Minalreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars ✨
Reading this felt like watching an old Pakistani soap drama (not an insult) We do not get to read such intriguing books these days and surely it was thought provoking novel. I can't seem to express my emotions. They're very much tangled. But I am honoured to have read this beauty. At times, yes I found it dramatic and yes, the story was prolonged and some parts were unnecessary. Still I devoured every bit of it. It kept me engrossed and it kept me on my toes most of the time. I don't think I'll be recommending it much but surely it was an experience. I'm still gloomy about the fact that I was unable to have complete closure and the book finished on loose ends.

[Mahnoor Kayani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a really good novel but its not for everyone I guess just because it's way too lengthy and has all the details which you might consider unnecessary but again they are one of those things which add to the beauty and flow of the novel.Overall it had a great storyline but had a character I really didn't like and that's Roshane.She was just way too extra and never seemed to care for anyone except for her own self.

[Dua · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dragged and full of miscommunication and misunderstanding. Also, the writer wrote so many mysoginistic things

[Abidah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

[Rural Soul · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's among the collection I call "All time Pathetic Novels".
I tortured my brain unless I finished it as I didn't have anything else to read otherwise I couldn't finish it.

[Sabi Qureshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome novel . I love to read it again and again

[Misha Saad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended

[Hafsa Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an interesting and great story . All the characters are well written, writing style is also very good but the ending could be better. There was a lot of unnecessary details throughout the novel but where it was necessary to add some more details, the writer just ended the novel.😕
The characters I liked the most are Bari, Taimoor Ali Khan(Kaka Jaan) and Maheen.These are my top fav and than Roshi, Amma Jaan,Gulloo Apa,Arif, etc and the most irritating character's award goes to Jhoomar.
Overall I enjoyed reading this novel alot .
Totally recommended.

[Nabiha Nadeem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dil Diya Dehleez
by Riffat Siraj is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and revenge set against the backdrop of feudal Pakistan. The novel delves deep into the complexities of human relationships, showcasing the destructive power of unchecked emotions. Siraj's masterful storytelling weaves a tale of intertwined destinies, where the past casts a long shadow on the present.

[Menahil Jamil]

How to open the book.
There is no option of reading

[AnZah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay