The Red Wrath

by Hatef Mokhtar

I have often wondered about the nature of separation and why sometimes it feels so cruel. But is it really cruel or can it teach us something? Is separation the true test of feelings? I am sure God has given us this gift of separation for a reason. Perhaps separation is our real true friend, and through it we can hold on to our memories by filling different corners of our heart with those we have loved and lost. After all, what is it that we take with us when we die, except for memories? When we die and go wherever our beliefs have promised to take us, we go on a journey where the final destination is where those who have gone ahead of us have already gone, and then we wait for those who will follow us. The pain we feel in separation is the price we pay for love. I believe separation is the beginning of a long metaphysical chain of events that binds one spirit to another, connecting every corner of the world and reaching places we cannot see because they are beyond the reach of the living. We can only reach them when our imagination has taken over from where our breath has left us. The Red A Journey between Two Destinies is the story of young boy who lives in Afghanistan in the 1970s, but it goes much deeper than that. Born in Afghanistan, Hatef Mokhtar grew up in a refugee camp in Pakistan and is now working as the Editor in Chief of The Oslo Times in Oslo, Norway. "The cries and sorrow of my homeland inspired me to write this book." Publisher's //sbpra.com/HatefMokhtar Author's //www.theredwrath.com

474 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2012

Reviews

[Christopher Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the news last week the world watched Muslim extremists burning embassies in the Middle East (after others killed an American ambassador) because of an irreverent depiction of the prophet Mohammed. The film that inspired this response was poorly made and completely ridiculous – in every respect. A thoughtful Muslim would have merely pitied, or prayed for, the misguided person that created this idiotic and inaccurate piece of propaganda. A man like author Hatef Mokhtar, for example, who lived through the absolute horrors of the Red Revolution in his homeland of Afghanistan, and then the atrocities committed by the Taliban against their own countrymen, would certainly not have returned evil for evil (violence in action for violence in ‘art’). Instead, perhaps he would have cried in astonishment for the inhumanity of the ‘human’ race before penning a tale that sets the record straight regarding the true nature of Islam and religious belief in the Middle East.

Hatef Mokhtar’s historical novel Red Wrath: A Journey Between Two Destinies tells the touching and tragic story of life in Afghanistan during the Communist Revolution; and under the Taliban reign of terror. It is a story that presents the reader with a stark picture of a previously serene and prosperous culture under foreign and domestic attack. In this panoramic epoch we witness a land that once boasted a rich tradition of religious tolerance and communal values being violently uprooted and turned into a killing field.

Written from the perspective of a profound character named Asif Khan, the story begins in Norway, where the expatriated Afghani (now an adult) ruminates over the events that shaped his early life and forced him into exile. Throughout the first few chapters of the novel Asif recounts his experiences as a boy living in his native land. This section of the narrative is imbued with the author’s extreme sense of love for his homeland; as the poetic passages describe an idyllic time in Afghanistan’s history. The author, looking back with longing upon the rich culture that characterized Asif’s youth, writes: “Happiness flowed from heart to heart and home to home binding entire communities into close knit families that lived their lives in grace and peace.” It was a period of Afghanistan’s history that many revere and refer to as “The Golden Age” of that country.

Unfortunately this peaceful and picturesque era came to a violent end when the Russian Communists invaded the nation. Upon hearing the news that the respected president, Mohammad Daud Khan, had been assassinated by the Russian regime, Zulfikar (Asif’s father) broke down and wept openly. Considering Asif had never seen his courageous father cry, this shocking reaction struck the boy as being particularly prophetic. A wise man, well-versed in political history and the teachings of Karl Marx, Zulfikar understood that this coup d’état (as the Red army seized control of the Afghani government) could mean only one thing: the end of Afghanistan’s golden age, and the beginning of bloodshed and desolation for the people of his beloved country. Within weeks Zulfikar’s revelation—and worst fears—were realized as the Communists came to the village and abducted Muslim men with political influence in the region. Since Zulfikar was one of these “dangerous dissidents,” he was forced to take his family to northern Afghanistan; where they sought refuge among family and friends.

Truly a tragic character, Zulfikar, a man with deep convictions regarding the God-given right of each citizen to express (and educate) themselves according to their own individual conscience, lacked the necessary discretion required to keep his family safe from the Red wrath. After delivering an articulate denunciation of the Communist regime in Afghanistan, and calling his countrymen to fight against this oppressive and unlawful occupation, he was arrested by the authorities and put in prison. It was an event that would lead to unspeakable sorrow and suffering for his family.

The remainder of the novel is the story of Asif’s struggle to survive and provide for his family in the face of seemingly impossible odds. Not only the central character of the story, but also the heroic voice of reason, Asif possesses the intelligence and survival instincts of a much older man. Through his innocent yet perceptive eyes the reader is given a personal and artistic vision of this period in Afghanistan’s history. For example, upon returning to his native land after several years of exile in Pakistan, Asif rebukes a couple of corrupt Afghani freedom fighters, saying: “You were not like this before…you people used to help each other and build your nation; then why are you all doing this? You are disrespecting your people, and also the martyrs, by collecting bribes and mistreating women, and children.” Passages like this drip sweetness and radiate light, as our philosophic narrator guides us on a journey through the hellish nightmare of a country under siege from without and within.

Forced into exile by a foreign enemy; deprived of family members, who died in the battle for Afghanistan; tortured by the Taliban for his liberal views and ‘subversive’ books; and finally exiled one last time out of fear for his (and his family’s) life – Asif Khan never allows hatred to fill his heart or alter his pure perception of the world. Towards the end of the novel, after suffering all these (and many other) hardships, Asif cries to Allah: “Oh, Lord, what have you done to my people, my country? How could the world be so brutal to the people?” If anything, the severe trials he undergoes throughout the course of his life makes him more empathetic towards the suffering of others; as he comes to appreciate the simplest blessings of God. “I live my life full of hope that it is possible to live in a world of harmony and peace. Love was my strength then—Love is my strength now.” With these words this wonderful novel comes to a close, as the reader is left imagining the good things (or potential heartaches) the future might have in store for our sympathetic narrator.

In a time where wars are being fought over religious disputes and fundamentalist fanaticism (by Muslims, Christians, and political factions of every nationality) this book comes as a breath of fresh air. The wisdom that springs from Hatef’s poetic heart reminds one that human life is far too precious to waste on religious feuding or ideological mania. Hatef Mokhtar has not merely crafted a masterful work that presents a reasonable and moderate form of the Islamic faith, but he has also managed to capture a glorious period in Afghanistan’s history. Remembering this promising time in a country with such natural and spiritual potential may indeed inspire those who love this land to take Afghanistan back from the internal and external forces that continue to rip it apart. Let us pray that a generation of men and woman (like our noble narrator) with purity of purpose and vision will rise up and fight oppression and foreign occupation; forsaking the violence and hatred that only leads to death and destruction; finding new power through the language of compassion and an active pursuit of justice and peace for all people. Let us pray that they pick up this breathtaking historical novel and learn from it!

Christopher Sean Ackerman
For Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org

[Kelly Woo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sitting in a coffee shop in Norway’s bustling city of Oslo, Asif was taken aback when his childhood friend Akram suddenly happened to meet him. Nostalgia sets in as Asif goes on a reverse journey back to the times when life did a flip-flop between good and bad, happiness and sadness.

A responsible son of a proud and kind father, Asif’s life in a humble village of Afghanistan was more than just ideal. A loving mother, caring father, playful siblings, a trustworthy friend along with the shade and the warmth of the mulberry tree made him a boy that anyone would be jealous of. Things looked good until the communists lead by People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overturned the people friendly government after brutally executing the then President Sardar Mohammed Daoud Khan and his family members.

Life took a tumultuous and ugly turn as the Red Wrath wrecked havoc in the nation taking the people along its path. Asif would soon see his dear ones getting separated from him in the most painful manner. The death of his father and little sister had Asif stare at his future in horror. But Asif’s determination and his strong will to have a good future for his family and himself takes him to Pakistan and then to Norway where he tries to collect the pieces of his life and bring them back to life.

Author Hatef Mokhtar’s The Red Wrath: A Journey Between Two Destinies is a heart-wrenching story of courage, bravery and hope on one end and of brutality, death and darkness on the other. Chief Editor of The Oslo Times, Hatef is definitely a brilliant observer of the little things in life as his comprehensive narration makes the story come alive. A work of class, Hatef lays Afghanistan literally in front of you. Its culture, faith, people and the lovely landscape gives us a virtual glimpse of a land where love and respect are considered supreme. The book is a must for those who know little about Afghanistan and its people and. It’s a story which inspires you to do the unthinkable when life is not so kind. Reading this work is an experience in itself. Certainly a Fiver!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens in an Oslo, Norway cafe when Asif, an Afghani expatriate, sees a childhood friend, Akram, after many years. Afterwards, he begins a mental journey through his past to the present, where he is attempting to put his life back together and gain inner peace.

Asif remembers the love of his family, the closeness of his village, the respect and loyalty shared by those around him. In his small village, one could count on everyone coming together in support and friendship, regardless of any past differences. He lived a life innocent of any hate or violence. Simple people of honor surrounded him until the day it came crashing down as violence, fear and hatred intruded on his world, his country.

Visciously, his family is torn from him. His life is now one of fear and pain. If not for his inner strength gained from the lessons his father and community taught him, Asif would never have been able to survive to make a better life elsewhere. Sadly, his scars run deep and he now struggles day to day. Will he be able to gain a new perspective, and put the past to use in a positive way for his future? Can he depend on his good memories to give him strength now?

The Red Wrath: A Journey Between Two Destinies, is a gut wrenching story of polar opposites, love vs hate, peace vs war, hope vs desolation. It cuts deep into your soul with each emotion-filled page about a country torn apart by war and bloodshed, attacked by Communists and the Taliban, beaten into a cruel submission.

For many of us reading this tale, the author has chosen to help us understand the way of life in this Muslim country. He kindly explains even the simplest things, so we may see better through the eyes of his characters. I greatly appreciated learning the correct names for things as mundane as an article of clothing, actually helping to keep me in the moment.

Author Hatef Mokhtar has painted this story from his soul, relying on experience as his canvas. This is a book I will keep in my memory for a long time to come. I HIGHLY recommend it!

This edition was graciously provided by the author, Hatef Mokhtar, in exchange for an honest review.

[Keshav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certain portions from The Red Wrath resonate of the Arab Spring and the helplessness of refugees in a foreign land. Or rather both The Red Wrath and the Arab Spring reveal the plight of the extreme poor and the defenseless, and the non-existence of human rights. While the Arab Spring can be attributed to several other factors that are an echo of democracy, the rights of an individual, and the highlight of refugee concerns and employment, The Red Wrath holds relevance to the same.
The protagonist of The Red Wrath, Asif is a vulnerable and poverty-stricken refugee in Pakistan. He flees with his family and other friends after his father a critic of the Communist regime, is executed. Fearing for his life and the lives of his mother and siblings, they make an arduous trek to Pakistan. After a while at refugee camps, he decides to make a living by selling vegetables on a lane in Peshawar.

However the corruption of the entire system leaves Asif brutally affected. One day, a policeman asks for a bribe so that Asif can continue to sell vegetables on that lane for that particular day. When he refuses to do so, he is punched and threatened by the policeman. This instance is a tale of malevolence which is universal. It can be juxtaposed with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia January 2011 which galvanized the ethos and protests of the Arab Spring. Bouazizi, an unemployed twenty-six year old man was harassed and insulted for bribes while selling vegetables on his cart. While his plea was unheard, he took the extreme measure of immolating himself.

The Red Wrath throws into light, the need for justice, freedom and dignity. It unfolds the shreds of ignorance while addressing several societal, national and international concerns based on sadism and corruption.

[Sachin Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Wrath by Hatef Mokhtar is a story of valour and die-hard hope in the face of trouble and misfortune. There is a lot of character and resilience in the story. Asif and his family are thrown out of their zone of comfort, that is, the soothing village life in the worst possible manner. Set against a peaceful setting of Afghanistan of the 1970s, social and political stability is cut short by the assassination of Mohammed Daoud Khan, the former Prime Minister of Afghanistan. What follows is the rise of the Communists to power and Asif’s father, Zulfikar Khan a noteworthy Afghan intellectual is executed. Despite the angst and the remorse experienced by Asif and his family, they move on.
This book reveals an element of a ‘never-say-die’ spirit despite all the pain. After Zulfikar Khan is murdered, Asif decides to take care of his family. It leads to a treacherous and uncertain trek over the mountains to Pakistan where they seek asylum. The asylum that they receive is at a refugee camp and life is awful. However what one sees is Asif tries to conquer all of it and takes care of his family. Life does not go back to being hunky dory; personal tragedy strikes yet again. Resilient and brave, he eggs on and after a while he brings his family back to their village in Afghanistan.

The rise of the Taliban forces Asif to flee to Norway; however his homeland is never far away from his mind. No matter what, he toils to better the lives of his brother, wife and children at the end. It is a truly remarkable read and a tale of personal buoyancy indeed.

[Preeti Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Red Wrath by Hatef Mokhtar is a tale of saluting a father, Zulfikar Khan. He was Asif’s (the protagonist) father. A loving, wonderful, wise and a thorough gentleman, he was a problem solver. Asif’s descriptions of him are poignant and brilliant. He was truly the man of the family who never raised his voice at anyone either at home or outside. Asif’s earliest memories of him are at their village of Shir Abad, the times he waited for Asif and his friends to pull themselves out of the water after a swim – ‘His father had a peculiar way of coaxing them out of the water. He would walk around smiling near the banks of the brook’. Such was his patience and as a result, he was widely respected by all and sundry.

Zulfikar Khan has been referred to as ‘the pillar of strength’ which was indeed true. He never tried to flee while his life was at risk from the Communists. His role in Asif’s life meant – ‘Parents always care about their children like lions with their cubs, fiercely protective and yet gentle in teaching everyday lessons. There is a lesson in every word of theirs: a lesson of life, a lesson which would help their children become good human beings, a guide to taste success, a dictionary to unfurl the meaning of the jumbled world that they inhabit’.

[Swapnil Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole experience of confinement and jail life is brought home in the arresting passages of Hatef Mokhtar’s The Red Wrath. Life at the Kabul prison, Pul-e-Charkhi is presented with an unmatched starkness. It is as if the reader were himself/herself walking down the barren, lonely confines passages of the prison - the writer’s words have that power to conjure up a picture of epic desolation. This is just one of the varied and myriad colours that The Red Wrath is painted with, a novel that brings up the spirit of the novel with a rare resonance.
Here is a passage that creates a picture of grimness, as family members walk to meet their relatives in prison: They stood and waited for two hours. Finally, they reached the entrance and came face-to-face with four armed guards. One of them had a sheaf of papers in his hands. It had the names of the innocent prisoners. He seemed so angry that the lines between his eyebrows seemed to be cast in stone.
The Red Wrath dips in seasons, love, family ties, war, chaos, prison, tragedy, refugee camps, reunion, separation and finally in the sombreness of exile. A novel of rare quality, that should be part of every novel-readers’ book shelf.

[Manjit Kaur]

The Red Wrath by Hatef Mokhtar discusses the advent of the Russians into Afghanistan from a lucid perspective and quashes all stereotypes. He also highlights the concept of Afghan nationalism and resilience despite the Afghans being from different ethnicities and clans. The Russians waged a war in Afghanistan for nine years that ravaged the country while the trauma of the war exists till today. It scarred thousands of people and the aftermath of the Russian presence took a greyer turn for the worse.

This book serves as a chronicler of history and the role of international relations in several dynamics. Looking back, Afghanistan was in the throes of political and social change in the 1970s. In 1979, under the rule of Leonid Brezhnev the former president of the erstwhile Soviet Union, the 40th army from the Soviet Union's Red Army was deployed in Afghanistan. That was the onset of a long-drawn battle, uncertainty and deaths of ordinary Afghans. It has also been referred to as the ‘Soviet Union’s Vietnam War’ or ‘The Bear Trap’. However for the Afghans, it was a battle for survival and freedom which made the Russians retreat.

[Riky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cursory glance at Hatef Mokhtar’s new book “The Red Wrath” will be deceiving to say the least. The cover page of the book has been designed in such a manner that it puts forth the idea of a run-of-the-mill story about a revolution taking place. But Hatef Mokhtar’s book is much more than that. It transcends all boundaries of human emotions that we have ever read about. Mokhtar has described even the simplest of things with a manner of grandiose which renders the reader speechless.
“The Red Wrath” is a moving and compassionate story about the protagonist Asif who has lost a lot in his life, including his love and family. The minute attention given to details by Hatef Mokhtar makes it different from other books in this genre because he is able to internalize the pain felt by the protagonist. Anyone who reads the book will be able to feel the pain and suffering as if it were his own. Having done this, Mokhtar has given the world a masterpiece that would stay in the minds of people for a long time to come.

[Ray Au · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hatef Mokhtar’s humane offering of Afghanistan and the untruths associated with it is a breath of fresh air that dissipates our conceptions of the war-stricken country. He digs into common perceptions of Afghanistan and serves us with a picture which we would not have ever imagined. We have come to associate the land as a battle-ravaged place with the blood of many an innocent person stricken on it and to some extent, it is true. What Hatef Mokhtar offers us in his book, “The Red Wrath” is an insight into the land where ordinary people live with the same human aspirations and longings that any other might have.
Staying true to what he does best; Mokhtar takes us on a journey which spans three decades and three countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway. He regales to us stories from his past that have a beautiful way of staying with you long after you close the book. The Red Wrath is an epic book of gigantic proportions of people experiencing the simplest of emotions but which affect them is the grandest of manner.

[Keshavsingh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Wrath by Hatef Mokhtar sheds light on the growth of the Taliban in Afghanistan. During the time of the Soviet invasion from December 1979 to February 1989, the Afghan front was led by the Mujahideens against the Soviet-led Afghan forces. It was a time of immense uncertainty and nobody to take a stock of the situation. With the cold war between the former Soviet Russia and the U.S at its peak, Afghanistan was hit the worst.

After the Mujahideens won the war against the Russians, they fought with each other and brutality grew. The plot behind The Red Wrath sketches the timeline of the Afghanistan conflict. Asif, the protagonist of the story on returning from Pakistan with his family notices it. There is corruption and there lurks a feel of malevolence. There is a scene from Kabul that captures the bleak and vague times. The Mujahideens no longer carry any nationalist sentiments and they end up like extortionists.

[Jeams Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first stereotypical thing which comes to our mind when we try to imagine Afghanistan and its people is a country rife with war and people living in continual terror. But Hatef Mokhtar’s new book makes an attempt to dispel all of the above and boy, does he succeed! “The Red Wrath” is an immaculately described new story by Mokhtar who relates to the life of an Afghan. He blends together a perfect fusion of human emotions in the backdrop of war and regime change. He focuses on the humane and human side of life led in the country and follows Asif, the protagonist, as he trudges through three countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Norway in the hope of reclaiming his family, friends and lost love. A plethora of emotions are described fantastically by Mokhtar and it seems hard to believe that “The Red Wrath” is only his second book. For anyone who wants to get and insider peek into life in the war-ravaged nation and its recent history, Hatef Mokhtar’s book is a must read.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hatef Mokhtar’s “The Red Wrath” is a work of emotive and evocative art. His love and longing for his homeland, the book takes us on an emotional journey through Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway. The story is about Asif who has a chance encounter with an old friend which sends him off on a nostalgic trip of memories. He reminisces over his family, friend and love and the various emotions he has experienced over the years. The story spans across a period of three decades and is a living testimony to the people of Afghanistan and the lives they lead.
The story is a whirlwind narration of a country and its inhabitants torn apart from their loved ones through war, conflict and strife. It focuses on universal emotions that move us and are imbibed in our memory forever. The story flits from the past to the present and in doing so, provides us a clear insider’s view into how life is lived in a land which has been plagued with horrors.

[Vijay Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers of the book “The Red Wrath” will undoubtedly confirm that it has been a long time since such a thought-provoking book has come out. Hatef Mokhtar, in his second book, has managed to surpass himself with a vivid description of life in the land of Afghanistan. He puts forward details of life through a period of three decades and explains it beautifully with the help of the most basic of human emotions that of love, pain and hope. Asif, the protagonist, in Mokhtar’s book, goes through the rigid heartbreak of losing his family, friends and love and makes us all accomplices to his pain.
Through the writer’s words, the reader can get a beautiful, almost true-to life experience of what it means to be born under the circumstances of war, chaos and conflicts. A chance encounter with an old friend starts Asif off on his journey of nostalgia and helps indulge the reader in a generous bout of excellent writing.

[Shiv Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red Wrath is essentially a love story which is cut short by the atrocities of war and conflict only to make it more interesting. The novel is based in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway where Asif, the protagonist, makes an unforgettable journey across three decades. He lives through the loss of his family, love and friends but ultimately, emerges from it, born again. Through the eyes of the characters, Asif, Latifa, Mori and Zulfikar, we experience the rugged terrain of life in Afghanistan as the people out there lead their lives.
The writer, Hatef Mokhtar, makes a strong point of his book by focusing on the lives of the people and making them experience human emotions just as all of us do. He paints a different picture of Afghanistan from the one which incessantly strays in front our eyes whenever we try to imagine life in the country. This, in itself, elevates the book above many others, in its genre: a very evocative read.

[Sushama Limaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are lucky to be having a home, a family and a land that we can call as our homeland. But this is not the case with everybody. Today as we continue to be ignorant about the things we have in life, there are many who do not even have a country to be called as their own. Many of these people have a permanent stamp on their head; Refugee. It’s hard to imagine the life of a refugee. The term itself brings along with a lot of disgust and neglect.
The Red Wrath A Journey Between Two Destinies brings us closer to being a refugee. When destiny turns its back to Asif and his family, he is forced to seek refuge in a country that he cannot call it as his own. But with the hope of a good life he has no other choice than to leave his motherland. This book will certainly give you the feeling of more belongingness and bring you more close to your home.
- Akram Khan

[Jacob Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hatef Mokhtar’s new book, “The Red Wrath” is not only a wonderful piece of fiction but is also an important part of the puzzle which helps us in understanding the lives of people living in Afghanistan. Right from the first chance meeting that Asif, the protagonist, has with his childhood friend, Akram, he is transported back to his childhood where his family still resides, in his memories. He pines for them and furtively wishes for a second, that he could get back to being a child, back in the comfort of his familial home, with his parents and siblings. Thus starts a journey undertaken by Asif which takes us onto three different countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Norway.
Asif imagines, in a melancholy manner, about a world in which he would have had the second chance to live his life, along with his family, friends and love, knowing it to be impossible.

[Raj Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I got my hands on the book “The Red Wrath” by Hatef Mokhtar, I was apprehensive about whether this would be a good read. It seemed like an ordinary story of Afghanistan and its war-stricken problems. And of course, the cover page of the book did not help matters much. But once I started reading it, all my doubts were dispelled.
Hatef Mokhtar’s second offering, “The Red Wrath” is a fresh take on the country of Afghanistan and the life its people lead. His story follows the life of Asif who reminisces over his life with family, friends and love which takes him on a journey across three countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Norway. The book is undiluted in throwing across a barrage of emotions at the reader and these results in a tumultuous journey of pain, longing, suffering and hope. Definitely a book to cherish!

[Ravi Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hatef Mokhtar’s “The Red Wrath” takes us on a whirlwind tour of varied human emotions. Love, pain, sense of loss, hope, and nostalgia are put forward by Hatef in a way which is destined to haunt you long after you put the book down. The story tells us of Asif and his various trysts with destiny as he trudges through life losing all of the people he loved or has ever cared for and gaining valuable memories in the process which will stay with him forever. We are treated to the harsh beauty of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway as Asif recounts life in the past and lives the present.
“The Red Wrath” gives us a valuable insight into the lives of people from Afghanistan and the importance of love and family in their lives. It is a great read for people who want to know more about Afghanistan and its beautiful people and also for everyone else who love a good story.

[Naveen Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense surge of emotion surged through me when I read Hatef Mokhtar’s book “The Red Wrath”. It is a journey through various levels of pain and longing, of hoping and losing it and of being born again. The book takes us on an intense journey revolving around Asif, the protagonist, his friends, love and family. He remembers various incidents which have made him the man he is today and grows nostalgic of certain others. He experiences a whole gamut of emotions which take him on a whirlwind journey through the past and the present across Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway.
The book is not only about Asif, it is about all of us. We, as humans experience emotions that make us better or worse, for the rest of our journey through life. Hatef Mokhtar writes about all of this and more with a practiced hand, a rarity in today’s times.

[Ajay Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Red Wrath” by the Afghan writer Hatef Mokhtar is an unusual piece of literature. It is one of the first books that offer to us an insight into the lives of people who live in the bloodied lands of Afghanistan. Rather than concentrating on the dire straits that the local people have to go through and the modus operandi for survival, The Red Wrath takes us on a journey which explores human emotions. The depiction of life and its various nuances are beautifully expressed by Hatef Mokhtar who himself grew up in a refugee camp in Pakistan, one of the countries where the protagonist Asif makes a foray.
Asif experiences a plethora of emotions and incidents as he reminisces about his life, love and family, in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Norway. Hatef Mokhtar writes with the ease of a seasoned artist and makes us question ourselves about what we treasure most in our lives.