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Typhoon
A tragic tale of three young women, each demonised by her past, Typhoon tells the story of Naghman, Chaudharani and Gulshan, the glamorous business executive from the city, the village land baron, and is the innocent wife. One was caught in the arms of another woman's husband, the other raped in her youth, and the third lost her husband to a total stranger.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
22 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Qaisra Shahraz
18 books46 followersQaisra Shahraz, born in Pakistan, is a critically acclaimed novelist and scriptwriter and has lived in Manchester since she was nine. She has degrees in English and two Masters in European Literature (Manchester Universities) and Scriptwriting ( Salford University ). Qaisra has a successful career in education – school teacher, examiner, teacher trainer, lecturer, development officer and quality improvement manager etc. She is currently a college inspector for Ofsted and Estyn, and an education consultant.
Qaisra is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Member of the Royal Society of Literature and recipient of the Arts Council Award. Her novels are translated into several languages. The Holy Woman won the Golden Jubilee Award and was Book of the Month . Her drama serial The Heart is It won two TV Awards in Pakistan . Her award-winning short stories are studied in schools, including her first story, A Pair of Jeans, for the German ‘A level' equivalent. Qaisra has written extensively as a journalist including for The Times. She is available for readings, workshops and consultancy.
Qaisra is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Member of the Royal Society of Literature and recipient of the Arts Council Award. Her novels are translated into several languages. The Holy Woman won the Golden Jubilee Award and was Book of the Month . Her drama serial The Heart is It won two TV Awards in Pakistan . Her award-winning short stories are studied in schools, including her first story, A Pair of Jeans, for the German ‘A level' equivalent. Qaisra has written extensively as a journalist including for The Times. She is available for readings, workshops and consultancy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 16, 2021
Shahraz captures the sights, smells and sounds of village life in Pakistan, as a scandal rocks the village to its core, shattering the mundane lives of its villagers, who feel hopelessly disorientated by the discovery of the love affair between a married man, Haroon and the glamorous visitor Naghmana. In many ways the novel is about the lives of women, from the outwardly lascivious yet inwardly dignified Naghmana, to the haughty Chaudharani whose superciliousness masks scars from her past, to the innocent and naive Gulshan and her harridanish mother, whose impetuous actions set the wheels of the motion in action, the focus of the story is on the inner lives of an interactions between the various women who populate the novel.
Shahraz is able to skilfully render life in a Pakistani village. From the quietude which permeates its atmosphere, to the dazzling dawns and and stillness of its afternoon, to the lives of its characters, which although in many senses hopelessly narrow in scope, reflect the same deep connections, petty jealousies and conflicts as the lives of city dwellers. Indeed the sense of authenticity which Shahraz is able to imbue the novel with is its greatest, strength as the reader feels drawn in by repercussions from Harron and Naghmana’s liaison, the ripples of which are felt by the village for years afterwards.
Shahraz is able to skilfully render life in a Pakistani village. From the quietude which permeates its atmosphere, to the dazzling dawns and and stillness of its afternoon, to the lives of its characters, which although in many senses hopelessly narrow in scope, reflect the same deep connections, petty jealousies and conflicts as the lives of city dwellers. Indeed the sense of authenticity which Shahraz is able to imbue the novel with is its greatest, strength as the reader feels drawn in by repercussions from Harron and Naghmana’s liaison, the ripples of which are felt by the village for years afterwards.
March 28, 2009
Having read some reviews on here I have discovered that this was a second book. I didn't know this and haven't read the first one. I thought this book was fantastic. At least, the story was. I was gripped right through to the end. I was distraught with some of the turns of events. I cared for the characters and their plights. I particularly liked how the plot didn't portray anyone in particular as wrong and left the reader trying to work out what was best to do for everyone as well. Either way, someone was going to get hurt and in the end, everyone did. Such a sad story.
This may be a problem with editing or translation but I did get a little annoyed at the quite regular spelling mistakes and glaring grammatical errors. Usually if this was happening over and over again, I would put down the book because I would get too frustrated. I think the fact that I managed to overlook this and finish the book pays testament to how much I enjoyed the story.
Another problem was the continual use of foreign language in dialogue (I read this a long time ago and have forgotten where it was set and what language it was in - sorry!) This is an example that I have made up but it gives an idea of what I mean "Where is your *insert foreign word*, your honour?" People don't speak like that - in English the sentence reads where is your honour, your honour? It is very frustrating. Either leave the reader to work out your meaning from the context or put it in English. I don't mind the odd hint and I am happy with the foreign words to be there but I found it happened over and over again and it became quite frustrating. I have since seen this happen in other books (the author that comes to mind at the moment is Khaled Hossieni).
This may be a problem with editing or translation but I did get a little annoyed at the quite regular spelling mistakes and glaring grammatical errors. Usually if this was happening over and over again, I would put down the book because I would get too frustrated. I think the fact that I managed to overlook this and finish the book pays testament to how much I enjoyed the story.
Another problem was the continual use of foreign language in dialogue (I read this a long time ago and have forgotten where it was set and what language it was in - sorry!) This is an example that I have made up but it gives an idea of what I mean "Where is your *insert foreign word*, your honour?" People don't speak like that - in English the sentence reads where is your honour, your honour? It is very frustrating. Either leave the reader to work out your meaning from the context or put it in English. I don't mind the odd hint and I am happy with the foreign words to be there but I found it happened over and over again and it became quite frustrating. I have since seen this happen in other books (the author that comes to mind at the moment is Khaled Hossieni).
March 5, 2017
The author lures you into this small village world, and you have no choice but to keep reading to see what happens to the characters. The pictures of the setting are vivid and feel real. I loved the insight into rural Pakistan, and almost felt as though I had been there myself. A must read for anyone who enjoys romance, history, other cultures.
April 9, 2008
This is the prequel of Holy Woman (Perempuan Suci). So, be prepare to "flash-back" moment which I thought it was not as good as Holly Woman. The story is tooo much complicated-too much character and I remember when I was review the Holly woman, I said that reading the book was like watching the Indian movies; ..and reading this book is like watching Indian movies twice ;p
Well...it's not my favorite,..it took more than 5 days for me to finished it ;p
Well...it's not my favorite,..it took more than 5 days for me to finished it ;p
November 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book set in a Pakistani village and centered around the events and dramatic fallout from one day. Loved the local gossip characters and over dramatics and how it all comes together.
Read with Shelterbox bookclub
Read with Shelterbox bookclub
October 28, 2022
Absolute garbage, couldn’t finish it. The scenes are so drawn out, the melodrama is unbelievably over the top. Everyone is always “screaming” or “gasping” or “beating their chest with their hands”. Worse than watching Indian soap operas. The characters did nothing for me, the gossipy women were annoying and reminded me of desi aunties I tried to avoid as a child in India. Do yourself a favour and get rid of this book without opening a page. Wish I could give it negative stars
November 15, 2008
Naghmana tersentak di subuh hari itu. Sepucuk telegram berada di genggamannya. Wajah cantiknya seketika memucat mayat. Telegram itu datang dari Siraj Din di Chiragpur, sebuah desa kecil yang tak akan pernah lagi sudi diinjaknya setelah “kiamat” yang menimpa dirinya dua puluh tahun lalu di sana.
Telegram itu membawa berita tentang Siraj Din, lelaki penguasa Chiragpur, yang tengah sekarat. Di atas ranjang mewahnya, Siraj Din tergolek lemah menjelang ajal. Dari celah bibir pucatnya selalu tergumam nama Naghmana. Ya..puluhan tahun silam, kedua insan ini pernah terlibat dalam sebuah perkara yang diputuskan lewat kacheri, pengadilan terbuka yang telah menjadi tradisi di Chiragpur sejak zaman para leluhur.
Kira-kira duapuluhan tahun yang lalu, kedamaian Chiragpur sempat terusik oleh sebuah peristiwa memalukan yang melibatkan warganya. Pasalnya, seorang wanita cantik dari kota kedapatan berpelukan mesra dengan salah seorang pria beristri di desa itu. Wanita molek itu adalah Naghmana, dan sang lelaki adalah Haroon. Saksi mata yang melihat seluruh kejadian tersebut adalah Gulshan, istri Haroon. Sekejap saja, desa yang semula tentram itu, menjadi gempar laksana diamuk taufan badai. Kedua pelaku yang diduga telah melakukan perzinahan itu kemudian digiring ramai-ramai ke balai desa untuk mempertanggungjawabkan perbuatan mereka di hadapan seluruh warga di depan kacheri yang dipimpin oleh tetua desa, Siraj Din.
Tanpa memberi kesempatan bagi tertuduh untuk menjelaskan duduk perkara yang sebenarnya, kacheri segera digelar. Pada pengadilan itu barulah terurai jelas segalanya, namun semua telah kadung. Naghmana dan Haroon harus menerima “hukuman” yang menurut sang hakim paling adil, walaupun kelak keputusan itu menjadi seonggok penyesalan yang terus menghantui hidup Siraj Din hingga di tepian maut. Pasangan tertuduh yang ternyata adalah suami-istri sah ini dipaksa bercerai sebab Haroon telah menikah lagi dengan Gulshan. Dengan perasaan terluka, Naghmana harus merelakan suaminya untuk Gulshan. Sejarah pernikahan singkat dirinya dengan Haroon enam tahun silam, kudu berakhir sampai di situ.
Segenap warga desa terperangah. Mereka turut merasa menyesal telah ramai-ramai ikut mengadili keduanya. Sungguh tak dibenarkan oleh agama mereka, Islam, perceraian yang dipaksakan itu. Adalah dosa besar menceraikan istri dari suaminya tanpa alasan yang jelas. Apa lagi keduanya masih saling mencintai.
Naghmana pun pergi meninggalkan Chiragpur dengan membawa serta keping-keping hatinya yang hancur lebur. Ia bersumpah untuk tak akan pernah kembali lagi ke sana. Selamanya. Hingga tiba telegram itu….
Perempuan Terluka merupakan kelanjutan novel Perempuan Suci. Ditulis oleh pengarang yang sama, Qaisra Shahraz. Masih mengambil latar pedesaan di Chiragpur yang kental dengan tradisi Islam serta budaya leluhur. Suatu tempat yang para perempuannya haram memperlihatkan sehelai rambutpun. Suatu tempat di mana para suami masih menganggap diri mereka tuan bagi para istri.
Dengan cermat, Qaisra menuturkan setiap bagian kisah dalam buku ini tanpa terjebak menjadi bertele-tele. Tidak seperti dalam buku sebelumnya, kali ini Qaisra cenderung lebih taktis, tak berlarat-larat. Daya tariknya masih bertumpu pada eksotisme kehidupan masyarakat desa muslim di Pakistan dengan para perempuannya yang tengah menapak era kebebasan. Sesekali ia menyelundupkan pesan ihwal hak-hak perempuan dan isu kesetaraan jender melalui problem masing-masing tokoh perempuannya. Beberapa perempuan dalam buku ini dihadirkan sebagai korban tindak kekerasan dan ketidakadilan yang dilakukan kaum pria dan masyarakat (patriarki).
Warna lokal yang kental menjadi salah satu kekuatan novel ini selain alurnya yang mengalir, membuat buku ini enak dibaca. Permasalahan dan konflik yang mengemuka memberi sebuah informasi baru bagi pembaca di luar Pakistan mengenai satu tradisi “kuno” di negeri muslim itu yang masih dipraktikkan hingga hari ini, kendati mungkin sudah tak sesuai lagi dengan semangat zaman. Atau mungkin, bukan tradisi itu yang salah, tetapi masyarakat yang melaksanakannyalah yang telah bersikap keliru dengan mengedepankan syak wasangka ketimbang azas praduga tak bersalah. Akibatnya, orang-orang tak bersalah pun harus jadi korban.
Telegram itu membawa berita tentang Siraj Din, lelaki penguasa Chiragpur, yang tengah sekarat. Di atas ranjang mewahnya, Siraj Din tergolek lemah menjelang ajal. Dari celah bibir pucatnya selalu tergumam nama Naghmana. Ya..puluhan tahun silam, kedua insan ini pernah terlibat dalam sebuah perkara yang diputuskan lewat kacheri, pengadilan terbuka yang telah menjadi tradisi di Chiragpur sejak zaman para leluhur.
Kira-kira duapuluhan tahun yang lalu, kedamaian Chiragpur sempat terusik oleh sebuah peristiwa memalukan yang melibatkan warganya. Pasalnya, seorang wanita cantik dari kota kedapatan berpelukan mesra dengan salah seorang pria beristri di desa itu. Wanita molek itu adalah Naghmana, dan sang lelaki adalah Haroon. Saksi mata yang melihat seluruh kejadian tersebut adalah Gulshan, istri Haroon. Sekejap saja, desa yang semula tentram itu, menjadi gempar laksana diamuk taufan badai. Kedua pelaku yang diduga telah melakukan perzinahan itu kemudian digiring ramai-ramai ke balai desa untuk mempertanggungjawabkan perbuatan mereka di hadapan seluruh warga di depan kacheri yang dipimpin oleh tetua desa, Siraj Din.
Tanpa memberi kesempatan bagi tertuduh untuk menjelaskan duduk perkara yang sebenarnya, kacheri segera digelar. Pada pengadilan itu barulah terurai jelas segalanya, namun semua telah kadung. Naghmana dan Haroon harus menerima “hukuman” yang menurut sang hakim paling adil, walaupun kelak keputusan itu menjadi seonggok penyesalan yang terus menghantui hidup Siraj Din hingga di tepian maut. Pasangan tertuduh yang ternyata adalah suami-istri sah ini dipaksa bercerai sebab Haroon telah menikah lagi dengan Gulshan. Dengan perasaan terluka, Naghmana harus merelakan suaminya untuk Gulshan. Sejarah pernikahan singkat dirinya dengan Haroon enam tahun silam, kudu berakhir sampai di situ.
Segenap warga desa terperangah. Mereka turut merasa menyesal telah ramai-ramai ikut mengadili keduanya. Sungguh tak dibenarkan oleh agama mereka, Islam, perceraian yang dipaksakan itu. Adalah dosa besar menceraikan istri dari suaminya tanpa alasan yang jelas. Apa lagi keduanya masih saling mencintai.
Naghmana pun pergi meninggalkan Chiragpur dengan membawa serta keping-keping hatinya yang hancur lebur. Ia bersumpah untuk tak akan pernah kembali lagi ke sana. Selamanya. Hingga tiba telegram itu….
Perempuan Terluka merupakan kelanjutan novel Perempuan Suci. Ditulis oleh pengarang yang sama, Qaisra Shahraz. Masih mengambil latar pedesaan di Chiragpur yang kental dengan tradisi Islam serta budaya leluhur. Suatu tempat yang para perempuannya haram memperlihatkan sehelai rambutpun. Suatu tempat di mana para suami masih menganggap diri mereka tuan bagi para istri.
Dengan cermat, Qaisra menuturkan setiap bagian kisah dalam buku ini tanpa terjebak menjadi bertele-tele. Tidak seperti dalam buku sebelumnya, kali ini Qaisra cenderung lebih taktis, tak berlarat-larat. Daya tariknya masih bertumpu pada eksotisme kehidupan masyarakat desa muslim di Pakistan dengan para perempuannya yang tengah menapak era kebebasan. Sesekali ia menyelundupkan pesan ihwal hak-hak perempuan dan isu kesetaraan jender melalui problem masing-masing tokoh perempuannya. Beberapa perempuan dalam buku ini dihadirkan sebagai korban tindak kekerasan dan ketidakadilan yang dilakukan kaum pria dan masyarakat (patriarki).
Warna lokal yang kental menjadi salah satu kekuatan novel ini selain alurnya yang mengalir, membuat buku ini enak dibaca. Permasalahan dan konflik yang mengemuka memberi sebuah informasi baru bagi pembaca di luar Pakistan mengenai satu tradisi “kuno” di negeri muslim itu yang masih dipraktikkan hingga hari ini, kendati mungkin sudah tak sesuai lagi dengan semangat zaman. Atau mungkin, bukan tradisi itu yang salah, tetapi masyarakat yang melaksanakannyalah yang telah bersikap keliru dengan mengedepankan syak wasangka ketimbang azas praduga tak bersalah. Akibatnya, orang-orang tak bersalah pun harus jadi korban.
July 11, 2007
“Seorang perempuan cantik berambut hitam panjang… Yang kutahu adalah aku harus menemuinya lagi dan memohon ampun padanya. Sudah dua puluh tahun aku tidak bertemu dengannya.”
(Perempuan Suci – hal. 340. Mizan, Cet. III – Februari 2007)
Kalimat ini diucapkan Baba Siraj Din, kakek Zarri Bano. Di buku pertama, Perempuan Suci, mungkin pembaca akan bertanya-tanya, apa maksud perkataan Baba Siraj Din. Karena tidak pernah diberi penjelasan lebih lanjut akan arti kalimat itu.
Inilah yang menjadi benang merah antara buku pertama dengan sekuelnya – Perempuan Terlukan. Buku ini bukan tentang kelanjutan kehidupan Zarri Bano, sang Perempuan Suci, tapi kisah lain yang terjadi jauh sebelum Zarri Bano menjadi Perempuan Suci. Kisah tentang sebuah peristiwa yang menyebabkan petaka dan kenangan buruk bagi penduduk desa Chiragpur.
Di suatu malam, seorang perempuan membuntuti suaminya yang mengendap-endap pergi keluar rumah. Betapa terkejutnya Gulshan, nama perempuan itu, ketika mendapati suaminya, Haroon, berada dalam pelukan perempuan lain. Perempuan itu bernama Naghmana, adalah pendatang dari kota yang baru beberapa hari menginjakkan kaki di Desa Chiragpur, bagaimana mungkin suaminya bisa dengan mudah terpikat oleh perempuan itu.
Gulshan pulang dengan hati luka dan bercerita pada ibunya, Hajar, apa yang baru saja ia lihat. Hajar tidak percaya dan berusaha membuktikan sendiri cerita anaknya. Hajar murka ketika mendapati kebenaran kata-kata anaknya.
Begitu Haroon pulang ke rumah, Hajar langsung memakinya dan bukan itu saja, ia juga memaki Naghmana sebagai ‘perempuan nakal perusak rumah tangga’. Hajar menuntut diadakannya sebuah kacheri – pengadilan terbuka untuk menghukum dua orang perusak kedamaian Desa Chiragpur itu.
Kabar burung segera merebak dalam waktu sehari saja. Seluruh penduduk desa, terutama perempuan, yang tidak tahu masalah sebenarnya, langsung menghakimi Naghmana dengan menjelekkan dirinya.
Kacheri pun diadakan, dipimpin oleh Baba Siraj Din selaku orang yang paling dihormati di desa itu. Tapi apa yang terjadi sungguh di luar dugaan. Naghmana yang tadinya dianggap sebagai perusak, justru pada akhirnya berbalik menjadi orang yang paling pantas dikasihani dan dikagumi karena kebesaran hatinya. Kacheri itu menghantui kehidupan orang-orang yang terlibat secara langsung atau pun tidak. Semua diliputi rasa bersalah, tidak terkecuali Baba Siraj Din – selaku pemimpun, Hajar – yang begitu membabi buta menuntut akan adanya kacheri, para tukang gosip – Naimat Bibi dan Kulsoom.
Selama dua puluh tahun rasa bersalah itu terus menghantui mereka.
Sampai akhirnya, ketika Baba Siraj Din sedang meregang nyawa, beliau minta agar Naghmana datang ke Desa Chiragpur. Ia ingin minta ma’af pada Naghmana sebelum ia menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya.
Tapi, trauma begitu menghantui Naghmana, mampukah ia kembali ke Desa Chiragpur? Bertemu kembali dengan orang yang sudah menghancurkan hidupnya, bertemu kembali dengan Gulshan dan Haroon?
Sementara itu, dalam dua puluh tahun pula, kehidupan Chaudharani Kaniz berubah. Janda yang selalu bersikap dingin ini menyimpan rahasia besar yang juga menjadi bayang-bayang buruk dalam kehidupannya.
Buku ini berkisah tentang 3 perempuan yang terluka, yang tersakiti karena perbuatan orang lain. Agak lebih bertele-tele dan membosankan dibanding buku pertamanya. Mungkin karena gaya cerita flashback itu kali ya…
(Perempuan Suci – hal. 340. Mizan, Cet. III – Februari 2007)
Kalimat ini diucapkan Baba Siraj Din, kakek Zarri Bano. Di buku pertama, Perempuan Suci, mungkin pembaca akan bertanya-tanya, apa maksud perkataan Baba Siraj Din. Karena tidak pernah diberi penjelasan lebih lanjut akan arti kalimat itu.
Inilah yang menjadi benang merah antara buku pertama dengan sekuelnya – Perempuan Terlukan. Buku ini bukan tentang kelanjutan kehidupan Zarri Bano, sang Perempuan Suci, tapi kisah lain yang terjadi jauh sebelum Zarri Bano menjadi Perempuan Suci. Kisah tentang sebuah peristiwa yang menyebabkan petaka dan kenangan buruk bagi penduduk desa Chiragpur.
Di suatu malam, seorang perempuan membuntuti suaminya yang mengendap-endap pergi keluar rumah. Betapa terkejutnya Gulshan, nama perempuan itu, ketika mendapati suaminya, Haroon, berada dalam pelukan perempuan lain. Perempuan itu bernama Naghmana, adalah pendatang dari kota yang baru beberapa hari menginjakkan kaki di Desa Chiragpur, bagaimana mungkin suaminya bisa dengan mudah terpikat oleh perempuan itu.
Gulshan pulang dengan hati luka dan bercerita pada ibunya, Hajar, apa yang baru saja ia lihat. Hajar tidak percaya dan berusaha membuktikan sendiri cerita anaknya. Hajar murka ketika mendapati kebenaran kata-kata anaknya.
Begitu Haroon pulang ke rumah, Hajar langsung memakinya dan bukan itu saja, ia juga memaki Naghmana sebagai ‘perempuan nakal perusak rumah tangga’. Hajar menuntut diadakannya sebuah kacheri – pengadilan terbuka untuk menghukum dua orang perusak kedamaian Desa Chiragpur itu.
Kabar burung segera merebak dalam waktu sehari saja. Seluruh penduduk desa, terutama perempuan, yang tidak tahu masalah sebenarnya, langsung menghakimi Naghmana dengan menjelekkan dirinya.
Kacheri pun diadakan, dipimpin oleh Baba Siraj Din selaku orang yang paling dihormati di desa itu. Tapi apa yang terjadi sungguh di luar dugaan. Naghmana yang tadinya dianggap sebagai perusak, justru pada akhirnya berbalik menjadi orang yang paling pantas dikasihani dan dikagumi karena kebesaran hatinya. Kacheri itu menghantui kehidupan orang-orang yang terlibat secara langsung atau pun tidak. Semua diliputi rasa bersalah, tidak terkecuali Baba Siraj Din – selaku pemimpun, Hajar – yang begitu membabi buta menuntut akan adanya kacheri, para tukang gosip – Naimat Bibi dan Kulsoom.
Selama dua puluh tahun rasa bersalah itu terus menghantui mereka.
Sampai akhirnya, ketika Baba Siraj Din sedang meregang nyawa, beliau minta agar Naghmana datang ke Desa Chiragpur. Ia ingin minta ma’af pada Naghmana sebelum ia menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya.
Tapi, trauma begitu menghantui Naghmana, mampukah ia kembali ke Desa Chiragpur? Bertemu kembali dengan orang yang sudah menghancurkan hidupnya, bertemu kembali dengan Gulshan dan Haroon?
Sementara itu, dalam dua puluh tahun pula, kehidupan Chaudharani Kaniz berubah. Janda yang selalu bersikap dingin ini menyimpan rahasia besar yang juga menjadi bayang-bayang buruk dalam kehidupannya.
Buku ini berkisah tentang 3 perempuan yang terluka, yang tersakiti karena perbuatan orang lain. Agak lebih bertele-tele dan membosankan dibanding buku pertamanya. Mungkin karena gaya cerita flashback itu kali ya…
August 7, 2012
“Aku ceraikan kau! Aku ceraikan kau! Aku ceraikan kau!” tiga talak yang mematikan itu menghujam jantung Naghmana..seorang perempuan muda..perempuan yang menjadi pusat perhatian seluruh penduduk Desa Chiragpur, dengan penampilannya yang glamor dan modern dari Kota Karachi, Pakishtan.
Ini kisah tentang 3 perempuan..yang berjuang untuk berdamai dengan masa lalu..kelam dan pahit..
Gulshan..
Seorang istri yang berprasangka..melihat dengan mata kepalanya sendiri, suaminya; Haroon bermesraan dengan perempuan muda yang baru 2 hari tinggal di desa Chiragpur, meh loothi ghi- aku sudah dirampok..adalah perkataan yang terus keluar dari mulut Gulshan..sang ibu; Hajra tidak terima dengan apa yang menimpa putrinya..menuntut Buzurgh (tetua desa) Siraj Din..untuk melakukan Kacheri..pengadilan terbuka..yang berujung dengan dijatuhkan talak pada Naghmana..yang ternyata baru diketahui adalah istri pertama Haroon..dan lewat Kacheri Gulshan memang menjadi istri satu-satunya bagi Haroon namun sayang..sejak saat itu Haroon secara sepenuhnya pergi dari kehidupannya walaupun secara fisik mereka masih tinggal bersama..tapi mereka sudah menjadi 2 orang pribadi yang saling menjauhi..
Naghmana..
Ia-lah wanita yang dicemooh, dipermalukan, dihakimi akibat sebuah prasangka..dan harus menerima talak dari suami yang sangat dicintainya..Haroon. Waktu berlalu, 20 tahun kemudian, Naghmana yang sudah memiliki suami lagi, mendapatkan surat dari desa Chiragpur..isinya Siraj Din, Buzurgh desa yang dahulu ikut menghakiminya..tengah sekarat..Siraj Din..terus memanggil nama Naghmana..meminta permohonan maaf darinya..
Chaudharani Kaniz..
Sang maharani..cantik dan orangtua tunggal dari satu orang putra..dikenal oleh penduduk desa Chiragpur sebagai seorang pribadi yang angkuh...penyebabnya karena masa lalunya..ketika ia remaja pernah menjadi korban pemerkosaan..luka itu terus membekas jelas hingga ia terus menolak pinangan setiap pria yang hendak menikahinya..
Ini kisah tentang 3 perempuan..yang berjuang untuk berdamai dengan masa lalu..kelam dan pahit..
Gulshan..
Seorang istri yang berprasangka..melihat dengan mata kepalanya sendiri, suaminya; Haroon bermesraan dengan perempuan muda yang baru 2 hari tinggal di desa Chiragpur, meh loothi ghi- aku sudah dirampok..adalah perkataan yang terus keluar dari mulut Gulshan..sang ibu; Hajra tidak terima dengan apa yang menimpa putrinya..menuntut Buzurgh (tetua desa) Siraj Din..untuk melakukan Kacheri..pengadilan terbuka..yang berujung dengan dijatuhkan talak pada Naghmana..yang ternyata baru diketahui adalah istri pertama Haroon..dan lewat Kacheri Gulshan memang menjadi istri satu-satunya bagi Haroon namun sayang..sejak saat itu Haroon secara sepenuhnya pergi dari kehidupannya walaupun secara fisik mereka masih tinggal bersama..tapi mereka sudah menjadi 2 orang pribadi yang saling menjauhi..
Naghmana..
Ia-lah wanita yang dicemooh, dipermalukan, dihakimi akibat sebuah prasangka..dan harus menerima talak dari suami yang sangat dicintainya..Haroon. Waktu berlalu, 20 tahun kemudian, Naghmana yang sudah memiliki suami lagi, mendapatkan surat dari desa Chiragpur..isinya Siraj Din, Buzurgh desa yang dahulu ikut menghakiminya..tengah sekarat..Siraj Din..terus memanggil nama Naghmana..meminta permohonan maaf darinya..
Chaudharani Kaniz..
Sang maharani..cantik dan orangtua tunggal dari satu orang putra..dikenal oleh penduduk desa Chiragpur sebagai seorang pribadi yang angkuh...penyebabnya karena masa lalunya..ketika ia remaja pernah menjadi korban pemerkosaan..luka itu terus membekas jelas hingga ia terus menolak pinangan setiap pria yang hendak menikahinya..
August 30, 2007
Sekuel novel "Perempuan Suci" ini, bercerita tentang kisah tiga orang wanita dari kampung halamannya Desa Chiragpur, ketika Zarri Bano (sang perempuan suci) masih seorang gadis kecil.
Kisah tentang Naghmana (perempuan jelita dari kota), Gulsan (seorang perempuan desa yang sederhana) dan tentang Chaudharani Kaniz (sang maharani). Kisah tragis yang menghantui dan menyisakan penyesalan dan dendam seumur hidup bahkan sampai saat sakratul maut menghadang, yang hanya berawal dari sebuah prasangka dan akhirnya melibatkan semua masyarakat Chiragpur...juga kakek tercinta Zarri Bano, Baba Siraj Din dalam sebuah Kacheri (pengadilan terbuka).
Kisah ini menceritakan bagaimana bahayanya sebuah prasangka, rasa cemburu buta, gosip, dendam, dan ketidakadilan. Namun juga mengajarkan pentingnya sebuah kejujuran dan maaf. Kisah tentang ketidakberdayaan menghadapi adat dan kebiasaan yang membelenggu...dibalut dengan suasana kultur masyarakat Pakistan yang kental...memberi nuansa yang berbeda dalam sebuah cerita.
Kisah tentang Naghmana (perempuan jelita dari kota), Gulsan (seorang perempuan desa yang sederhana) dan tentang Chaudharani Kaniz (sang maharani). Kisah tragis yang menghantui dan menyisakan penyesalan dan dendam seumur hidup bahkan sampai saat sakratul maut menghadang, yang hanya berawal dari sebuah prasangka dan akhirnya melibatkan semua masyarakat Chiragpur...juga kakek tercinta Zarri Bano, Baba Siraj Din dalam sebuah Kacheri (pengadilan terbuka).
Kisah ini menceritakan bagaimana bahayanya sebuah prasangka, rasa cemburu buta, gosip, dendam, dan ketidakadilan. Namun juga mengajarkan pentingnya sebuah kejujuran dan maaf. Kisah tentang ketidakberdayaan menghadapi adat dan kebiasaan yang membelenggu...dibalut dengan suasana kultur masyarakat Pakistan yang kental...memberi nuansa yang berbeda dalam sebuah cerita.
February 24, 2014
I read The Holy Woman just last week and when this and Revolt showed up as Kindle editions for not too many pennies, I snapped them up. I read Typhoon in a single day. I cried. It's a bookended story; the majority of the book being a flashback to the seventies, and the ends being set just after The Holy Woman. It was fantastic to see some of the same characters and the same setting, with much of the backstory of the older people fleshed out.
This story is as moving as the previous book and the writing style is smoother imo, with just as much beauty and pain as before. This is surely a series I'll reread.
This story is as moving as the previous book and the writing style is smoother imo, with just as much beauty and pain as before. This is surely a series I'll reread.
June 24, 2008
Buku ini masih ada hubungannya dengan buku sebelumnya yaitu Perempuan Suci. Masih seputar Pakistan, dan masih seputar Islam dan perempuan.
Ceritanya tentang seorang perempuan yang terpaksa bercerai dengan suaminya sendiri demi kebahagiaan istri kedua suaminya itu. Pengalaman ini membuatnya trauma berkepanjangan. Dan sang kadi desa yang mengusulkan perceraian tersebut juga mengalami penyesalan panjang sampai menjelang kematiannya.
Menyentuh, mengesankan, mengharukan...
Ceritanya tentang seorang perempuan yang terpaksa bercerai dengan suaminya sendiri demi kebahagiaan istri kedua suaminya itu. Pengalaman ini membuatnya trauma berkepanjangan. Dan sang kadi desa yang mengusulkan perceraian tersebut juga mengalami penyesalan panjang sampai menjelang kematiannya.
Menyentuh, mengesankan, mengharukan...
January 8, 2013
Hmmm.. lumayan sih jalan ceritanya, Penulis pintar bercerita. dia menceritakan detail, deskripsi tokohnya kuat. Sayangnya bagian 2 orang penggosip kampung terlalu banyak mengambil bagian dalam novel, sehingga dibagian pertengahan novel cenderung membosankan, lumayan menggoda untuk diskip. tapi mendekati akhir cerita kembali bikin deg-degan.
June 20, 2013
The details in this book are overwhelming.. so are the foreign words. The good thing is, I can skip the details and still understand the plot. Sigh. The story gives me so much emotions, mainly anger and frustration.
February 14, 2010
also another good book by the author
Read
January 5, 2010Typhoon by Qaisra Shahraz (2007)
March 20, 2021
I really enjoyed the first half of the book but feel that it would have been better as a novella or short story. I liked the way the story was framed, starting in the present with the mystery of who "she" is and then going back 20 years.
When the chapter opened in the village in the past, I spent time trying to work out which character in 1982 was the woman referred to in the present time and absolutely loved this "hook" into it. When Haroon, the husband of Gulshan, was found cheating on her at the village well I was fascinated by the concept that they were innocent and there was something we didn't know. I couldn't stop reading and loved the fact that we didn't find out the explanation or how they were "innocent" until halfway through the book.
The reason for 3 stars is because I really didn't think that Shahraz needed to come back into the present. I didn't think that this added anything and I actually found myself getting quite bored once we were back in the present tense and the original 1980s characters had returned to the village for the chief's funeral. This just wasn't necessary and was quite dull. It really would have been so much better to stop at the end of the kacheri. Up until that point the book was such a whirlwind, totally matched the typhoon metaphor and was so fascinating and I couldn't put it down because I really wanted to find out what had happened at the well, but once we found out and the village dealt with the fall out from the revelation I think the book should have ended.
In addition, I didn't understand the point of including the story of Kaniz which just seemed to muddle the main storyline and add in some extra detail which wasn't necessary. Kaniz's story would have been her own separate novella or short story. I really would have preferred it if the story just focused on Gulshan, Haroon and Naghmana.
When the chapter opened in the village in the past, I spent time trying to work out which character in 1982 was the woman referred to in the present time and absolutely loved this "hook" into it. When Haroon, the husband of Gulshan, was found cheating on her at the village well I was fascinated by the concept that they were innocent and there was something we didn't know. I couldn't stop reading and loved the fact that we didn't find out the explanation or how they were "innocent" until halfway through the book.
The reason for 3 stars is because I really didn't think that Shahraz needed to come back into the present. I didn't think that this added anything and I actually found myself getting quite bored once we were back in the present tense and the original 1980s characters had returned to the village for the chief's funeral. This just wasn't necessary and was quite dull. It really would have been so much better to stop at the end of the kacheri. Up until that point the book was such a whirlwind, totally matched the typhoon metaphor and was so fascinating and I couldn't put it down because I really wanted to find out what had happened at the well, but once we found out and the village dealt with the fall out from the revelation I think the book should have ended.
In addition, I didn't understand the point of including the story of Kaniz which just seemed to muddle the main storyline and add in some extra detail which wasn't necessary. Kaniz's story would have been her own separate novella or short story. I really would have preferred it if the story just focused on Gulshan, Haroon and Naghmana.
December 30, 2021
I really enjoyed the social dynamic and the characters. There is a good deal of commentary around social issues and suspense which gives food for thought. The assuredly basic prose adds significantly to the village feeling and tone of the book.
My main complaints however are that other parts of the book seem very much underdeveloped. There is a lot of filler that extends this skeleton-frame of a story out to 300 pages. A book can certainly be enjoyable without a developed storyline. However, the other parts of the book are simply not developed close to enough to do so. Furthermore, while the social dynamics and relationships between the characters are well wrought out and apparent, some plotlines simply do not make sense within the story. All in all, I'd say the use of melodrama is quite high, much to the point of nearly making a mockery of the story.
To be clear: this is not an awful book; however, it is not worth your time unless you particularly enjoy these types of books. I've had a little look at Shahraz's other works and they sound much better than this. While I have not read them, I would suggest starting there if you are interested in her work. There is definitely value to be extracted from here. However, from my experience, I would definitely not say it is worth it, even if you are a fan of these types of books.
My main complaints however are that other parts of the book seem very much underdeveloped. There is a lot of filler that extends this skeleton-frame of a story out to 300 pages. A book can certainly be enjoyable without a developed storyline. However, the other parts of the book are simply not developed close to enough to do so. Furthermore, while the social dynamics and relationships between the characters are well wrought out and apparent, some plotlines simply do not make sense within the story. All in all, I'd say the use of melodrama is quite high, much to the point of nearly making a mockery of the story.
To be clear: this is not an awful book; however, it is not worth your time unless you particularly enjoy these types of books. I've had a little look at Shahraz's other works and they sound much better than this. While I have not read them, I would suggest starting there if you are interested in her work. There is definitely value to be extracted from here. However, from my experience, I would definitely not say it is worth it, even if you are a fan of these types of books.
December 22, 2022
I can't believe this book was mainly based in 1982 which isnt really that long ago and that divorce was and maybe still is, I dont know considered such a shameful thing to happen to you, when today in our society people get divorced all the time! The secret that Naghmana and Haroon shared kept me eagrly reading on to find out what it was, but it was a long process as i was only reading in my 20 min lunch break 3 times a week! So what a culture shock reading about village life in Chiagpu, a Pakistani village.
As the name suggests a 'Typhoon' quickly sweeps through the village and by not listening properly to people resulted in events overtaking them all and catastrophic consequences that effected many people in the village. This book is mainly about 3 young women in 1982 and what happens to them then; Naghmana, a glamourous stranger from the city caught in the arms of another womans husband, Chaudharani Kaniz, the village land baron raped in her youth and can not trust men and Gulshan, the innocent wife whose world fell apart when she lost her husband to another and her mother vowed revenge. We then meet them again 20 years later....
As the name suggests a 'Typhoon' quickly sweeps through the village and by not listening properly to people resulted in events overtaking them all and catastrophic consequences that effected many people in the village. This book is mainly about 3 young women in 1982 and what happens to them then; Naghmana, a glamourous stranger from the city caught in the arms of another womans husband, Chaudharani Kaniz, the village land baron raped in her youth and can not trust men and Gulshan, the innocent wife whose world fell apart when she lost her husband to another and her mother vowed revenge. We then meet them again 20 years later....
October 30, 2022
The book started off slowly and I found it a bit superficial and stereotypical.
However the more I got in to it, the more I enjoyed it and it became a good story of love, betrayal, divorce, marriage and how it can effect a whole village, especially if its based on misunderstandings.
The book ended with a poignant and sad twist.
The author brings to life also the feel of a Pakistani village.
I wouldn't say this was an amazing book, but it was good and I will try the first book in this series by the author.
However the more I got in to it, the more I enjoyed it and it became a good story of love, betrayal, divorce, marriage and how it can effect a whole village, especially if its based on misunderstandings.
The book ended with a poignant and sad twist.
The author brings to life also the feel of a Pakistani village.
I wouldn't say this was an amazing book, but it was good and I will try the first book in this series by the author.
December 1, 2022
Set in Churagpur, a rural village in Pakistan, this is a story of misunderstandings and truths withheld. How long held jealousy and envy can often be misplaced and have recupussions into the future. It follows the stories of three women with very different backgrounds and how their stories haunt the villagers.
A compelling read and a good insight into small village life, how everyone knows everybody else's business and feels they should and can have opinions on them.
Another good read from shelterbox book club
A compelling read and a good insight into small village life, how everyone knows everybody else's business and feels they should and can have opinions on them.
Another good read from shelterbox book club
February 10, 2025
it really felt like a jane austen set in 2002/1982 Pakistan in a small village where one moment brings shame and guilt to them all. i just didn’t appreciate some of the conversations or things that people said in this. very very melodramatic. the well scene right at the end was incredibly written, but otherwise was just hard to get through.
December 27, 2022
I think I am going to give it 3.5 stars as I enjoyed the stories within the book. It was interesting reading about the conflict that occurred when a modern Pakistani woman visited her aunt in a village. I found this in a charity shop and was intrigued by the cover and glad I picked it up.
August 31, 2023
An outstanding writing of Qaisra Shahraz which clearly depicts the fuedal lord system of our country and the problems associated with this system which hinders the growth of people along with caste systems.
November 8, 2022
I really struggled to get into the book. It was so melodramatic!
December 4, 2022
A sweet story challenging misconceptions about Muslim women.
January 18, 2023
Read with ShelterBox UK book club
February 6, 2023
So sad and so beautifully written. I liked how the characters were intertwined throughout.
May 14, 2018
I recommended this author to my book club but this was not her best. It liked the humour and empathy of her other books. The story line was fairly thin in comparison to those I had read before.
January 22, 2025
This book is a sequel to the book The Holy Woman by the same author and I read it after I had already read the first one.
I have given this book two stars because I have some major problems with the writing.
Some elements were particularly very confusing, like there are two Gulshan's and two Fatima's in the book series. With Fatima's character at least the author mentions that there are two Fatima's in the village and you can than think of them as separate characters, although I would have preferred the clarification earlier. But the use of the name Gulshan and not clarifying that this is another character , did-not allow me to place the time line correctly, which I have been able to do after finishing this book. Half of this book happened before The Holy Woman events and half happens a few years after The Holy Woman events. There is a first cousin of Zarri Bano ( main character of The Holy Woman) called Gulshan . But than there is another much older Gulshan who had married before The Holy Woman events and her husband and his first wife are sort of the central character's of the events in the Typhoon, but the immense need to give retribution to Siraj Din ( and all the horrible men in the book series ) does-not allow the author to explore fairly the characters which were actually affected by the proceedings of Siraj Din's court. The author tried very hard for the readers to feel sorry for Siraj din, but this is a man whose ridiculous decisions has ruined several lives including Zarri Bano's in the first book and Gulshan's and Naghmana's in the second book.
Also Naghmana is a strong independent woman who is smart and intelligent and brave and most importantly a city woman who has no need to come back on the request of Siraj din to forgive him, what happens is that she ends up committing suicide because her second husband doesn't understand things clearly. Dont get me wrong, women do commit suicide and people do give up on life but not people who are strong resilient and independent and have no reason to come back to a place that traumatised them, if you built up a character to show how independent she is and do-not explain why she ends up killing herself makes the reader feel so dissatisfied in the end. This is why this book is a such a dissatisfactory read and even more so than The Holy Woman, whose disappointment I pen in that book's review.
The problem is that Siraj Din's internal turmoil is explored but not Naghmana's and her final act seems so out of character, and instead of feeling sorry I actually felt confused , maybe the point of the book is ( i hope) to tell how men just play around with woman's lives and can ruin them but are still forgiven by society at large! But shouldn't this than be written from the perspective of the female victims of this patriarchal system? Not from the patriach's point-of-view who get away with it and by asking forgiveness from Naghmana, lays a path that leads her to commit suicide.
Secondly the book deals with these issue melodramatically and it reminds me of badly written Pakistani TV drama! too much drama and less focus on the real issues .
Another element that I feel strongly about in this book is the fact that the village is trying to lynch and publicly humiliate Naghmana but instead she is divorced by her husband so that Gulshan the second wife who is from the village will have him only. But lo and behold everyone now feels sorry for Naghmana as if getting divorced was worst than getting lynched, no it isn't ( I understand that some people in some culture's may think divorce for women is worse than dying a horrible death but where is the social commentary on that ? Where is the challenge to such backward ideas? )
Thirdly I strongly dislike what Shahraz has done to the characters of Naimat Bibi and Kulsoom who are poor women in a village, a village with a hierarchal class system and these cute characters are turned into stereotypical gossip mongers in Typhoon , instead of real humans who struggled ( and also at times gossiped) and were basically very real, very human, very relatable characters in The Holy Woman and there was also a hilarious scene they had in the first book!
The only good thing about this book is Kaniz's character and her arc, which is why this book get's a star!
In short this book is very hard to read , especially the first few chapters because its repetitive and boring , it picks up in the middle , I just kept on going because I wanted to give it a fair critical review!
I have given this book two stars because I have some major problems with the writing.
Some elements were particularly very confusing, like there are two Gulshan's and two Fatima's in the book series. With Fatima's character at least the author mentions that there are two Fatima's in the village and you can than think of them as separate characters, although I would have preferred the clarification earlier. But the use of the name Gulshan and not clarifying that this is another character , did-not allow me to place the time line correctly, which I have been able to do after finishing this book. Half of this book happened before The Holy Woman events and half happens a few years after The Holy Woman events. There is a first cousin of Zarri Bano ( main character of The Holy Woman) called Gulshan . But than there is another much older Gulshan who had married before The Holy Woman events and her husband and his first wife are sort of the central character's of the events in the Typhoon, but the immense need to give retribution to Siraj Din ( and all the horrible men in the book series ) does-not allow the author to explore fairly the characters which were actually affected by the proceedings of Siraj Din's court. The author tried very hard for the readers to feel sorry for Siraj din, but this is a man whose ridiculous decisions has ruined several lives including Zarri Bano's in the first book and Gulshan's and Naghmana's in the second book.
Also Naghmana is a strong independent woman who is smart and intelligent and brave and most importantly a city woman who has no need to come back on the request of Siraj din to forgive him, what happens is that she ends up committing suicide because her second husband doesn't understand things clearly. Dont get me wrong, women do commit suicide and people do give up on life but not people who are strong resilient and independent and have no reason to come back to a place that traumatised them, if you built up a character to show how independent she is and do-not explain why she ends up killing herself makes the reader feel so dissatisfied in the end. This is why this book is a such a dissatisfactory read and even more so than The Holy Woman, whose disappointment I pen in that book's review.
The problem is that Siraj Din's internal turmoil is explored but not Naghmana's and her final act seems so out of character, and instead of feeling sorry I actually felt confused , maybe the point of the book is ( i hope) to tell how men just play around with woman's lives and can ruin them but are still forgiven by society at large! But shouldn't this than be written from the perspective of the female victims of this patriarchal system? Not from the patriach's point-of-view who get away with it and by asking forgiveness from Naghmana, lays a path that leads her to commit suicide.
Secondly the book deals with these issue melodramatically and it reminds me of badly written Pakistani TV drama! too much drama and less focus on the real issues .
Another element that I feel strongly about in this book is the fact that the village is trying to lynch and publicly humiliate Naghmana but instead she is divorced by her husband so that Gulshan the second wife who is from the village will have him only. But lo and behold everyone now feels sorry for Naghmana as if getting divorced was worst than getting lynched, no it isn't ( I understand that some people in some culture's may think divorce for women is worse than dying a horrible death but where is the social commentary on that ? Where is the challenge to such backward ideas? )
Thirdly I strongly dislike what Shahraz has done to the characters of Naimat Bibi and Kulsoom who are poor women in a village, a village with a hierarchal class system and these cute characters are turned into stereotypical gossip mongers in Typhoon , instead of real humans who struggled ( and also at times gossiped) and were basically very real, very human, very relatable characters in The Holy Woman and there was also a hilarious scene they had in the first book!
The only good thing about this book is Kaniz's character and her arc, which is why this book get's a star!
In short this book is very hard to read , especially the first few chapters because its repetitive and boring , it picks up in the middle , I just kept on going because I wanted to give it a fair critical review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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