Review – Finding Danyaal by Zia Ahmad

Note: This review was originally posted at Reader Views.

Rami, a Muslim boy growing up in Pakistan in the 1980s, knows there is something that makes him different from other boys. He likes singing, dancing, and other things his brother and the bullies at school use to pick on him. But it isn’t until he meets Danyaal, a Christian, that he realizes what it is that sets him apart. The two embark on a deep friendship that brings them closer and closer, until it draws the attention of people who are in a position to hurt them. A single night of passion turns into a day of terror and despair, and Rami thinks he has lost Danyaal forever.

This story of love, loss, and redemption is, according the the author Zia Ahmad, inspired by true events in his own life. I can imagine growing up in Pakistan and having to walk a fine line between ones faith and the desire to be who you are was incredibly difficult. Ahmad does a wonderful job of balancing this powerful story against a backdrop of change. I appreciated how he also wove in history and culture to paint a vivid picture of not only the Pakistan of the 1980s, but also the people, the interactions between them, and the expectations of family. 

It’s easy to understand Rami’s internal conflicts and how his upbringing, his faith, and his experiences make it so difficult for him to accept himself. The story took me on a rollercoaster of emotion, laughing and smiling at the moments of joy, then feeling my heart break at the difficulties, the hatred, the hypocrisy.

It’s easy to see the love that Ahmad has for his characters and their stories. He doesn’t pull punches, but at the same time even the dark moments have their beauty. And while I enjoyed the story, the only thing that keeps me from giving this five stars is the climax. I felt the pacing was off, that it felt rushed, and there was a little too much beneficial coincidence.

This fictional story is turbulent and troubled and it breaks my heart to think of all the other Rami’s out there going through similar circumstance in modern day Pakistan. Yet, there is still hope for acceptance and a better life. In the end, I think that’s what the Searching for Danyaal conveys. Hope for the future. 

I recommend this book for readers who want to expand their horizons beyond the typical love story, who want to learn more about the world, and who enjoy a well-told tale. 

You can see previous book reviews on my Reading List page.

RB