Perceptive, prescient & riotously funny look at grief, faith, Britain today & the place we call home. Superb!
On a superficial level The Green and Pleasant Land is Ayisha Malik’s riotously funny exploration of twenty-first century Britain, what it means to be British and what makes a place our home. But at root it is so much more that a simple feel-good read and what makes it shine is the stories unexpected depth, for it is also a sensitive, thought-provoking and unforgettable look at grief, faith, identity and culture. When the questions aren’t just theoretical, actions really do speak louder than words for the citizens of Babbel’s End and when the idea of building a mosque is proposed it proves a stretch too far for some villagers and controversy ensues..
As Rawalpindi born sixty-three-year-old, Sakeena Hasham, lies on her death bed after thirty-six years of living in a Birmingham suburb with her younger sister, Rukhsana, she contemplates her legacy and the future of her son, Bilal. Unassuming and moderate Bilal is a successful accountant but since his move to the obscure village of Babbel’s End in the West Plimpton countryside eight years ago she can’t help but think he has lost something of himself and perhaps forgotten his faith. A place of village greens, parish council meetings and multiple churches, Sakeena’s final request is that her son, Bilal, shows the village of Babbel’s End “our Islam” by building a mosque and returns to what she considers that most important thing in his life: his faith.
Six months on and a grieving Bilal starts to wonder if his present life has detached him from his past and perhaps he really should attempt to make his mother’s wishes come true. Surely the building of a mosque would be the ultimate symbol of how far the country has come? Or maybe not, as suddenly Bilal Hasham and his family are sticking out for the very thing they didn’t ever want them to be known for... being different. Local journalist wife of ten years, Mariam, is horrified as the families Muslim and Pakistani heritage has been purely anecdotal until now and whilst she might be questioning her marriage and love for Bilal she is in no doubt that the village is not in need of a mosque and forced to conclude that it is another worrying manifestation of her husband’s grief. Mariam can anticipate and readily empathise with the outraged reactions of the villagers and the sentiment that a decade after welcoming the Hasham’s to call the village their home, Bilal might be rocking the boat. Known locally as Bill, a member of the parish council and a popular local figure, everything is about to change as attitudes harden, opinions are divided and unexpected hostility rears its head in easy-going Bilal’s direction.
As sides are taken, battle lines are drawn and marriages, friendships and loyalties tested, the sedate village of Babbel’s End becomes a hotbed of controversy set to capture the nations attention. But what does the future look like for the quintessentially English village and more importantly, will the locals ever be able to repair the damage caused by their discord? From arguments about preserving the heritage of the village to threats that it will spoil the landscape and become some kind of Mecca for radical extremists, it turns out each and every villager has their own ideas on what makes a home. Cracks suddenly start to appear in the harmonious village life and the idea of embracing change finds some very surprising opponents.
As practical steps are set in motion by Bilal, his recuperating houseguest and aunt, Rukshana, struggles to make sense of the local divisions, and the humour is ever present; from Rukshana’ literal translations, Mariam’s cynical reflections on life and relationships and Haaris’ snarky asides, which together combine to inject the narrative with a spirited humour.
As the eyes of the nation turn to Babbel’s End, news commentators, social media and Twitter opinions wade in and protests begin, the colourful residents of Babbel’s End experience a variety of responses to Bilal’s ambitions. From sanctimonious former headteacher and vocal president of the parish council, Shelley Hawking, to well travelled elderly farmer, Margaret, grieving inconsolable mother, Anne Lark, her unruly pensioner father, Tom, and the thoroughly modern and inclusive vicar questioning his own faith (Reverend Richard), the proposal prompts a variety of reactions. However it is the generosity of spirit, compassion and understanding of Rukshana (Bilal’s aunt) that really surprises and makes this such a poignant story. From her warmth, empathy and willingness to learn the language and consider Babbel’s End her home and its residents her friends, she is a focal point for the entire story.
Malik writes brilliantly and her prose is full of insight and wry observations with an eye for the human condition. My reservation that the story would veer on the side of preachy or tedious political correctness proved unfounded and the characters are no mere stereotypes and actually evolve as their hair-trigger reactions are questioned, their capacity for tolerance challenged and attitudes confronted in some dramatic ways.
An acutely perceptive, sensitively observed and ultimately tender exploration of prejudice and integration in twenty-first century Britain and a memorable drama of unexpected depth in an ever changing world. The denouement comes together in a credible way, without feeling like an attempt to “play nice”, paper over the differences in opinion or dodge the issues and is impressively managed. Guaranteed to test every reader’s preconceptions and simultaneously provide a comprehensive and relatable introduction into the Muslim faith.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
As Rawalpindi born sixty-three-year-old, Sakeena Hasham, lies on her death bed after thirty-six years of living in a Birmingham suburb with her younger sister, Rukhsana, she contemplates her legacy and the future of her son, Bilal. Unassuming and moderate Bilal is a successful accountant but since his move to the obscure village of Babbel’s End in the West Plimpton countryside eight years ago she can’t help but think he has lost something of himself and perhaps forgotten his faith. A place of village greens, parish council meetings and multiple churches, Sakeena’s final request is that her son, Bilal, shows the village of Babbel’s End “our Islam” by building a mosque and returns to what she considers that most important thing in his life: his faith.
Six months on and a grieving Bilal starts to wonder if his present life has detached him from his past and perhaps he really should attempt to make his mother’s wishes come true. Surely the building of a mosque would be the ultimate symbol of how far the country has come? Or maybe not, as suddenly Bilal Hasham and his family are sticking out for the very thing they didn’t ever want them to be known for... being different. Local journalist wife of ten years, Mariam, is horrified as the families Muslim and Pakistani heritage has been purely anecdotal until now and whilst she might be questioning her marriage and love for Bilal she is in no doubt that the village is not in need of a mosque and forced to conclude that it is another worrying manifestation of her husband’s grief. Mariam can anticipate and readily empathise with the outraged reactions of the villagers and the sentiment that a decade after welcoming the Hasham’s to call the village their home, Bilal might be rocking the boat. Known locally as Bill, a member of the parish council and a popular local figure, everything is about to change as attitudes harden, opinions are divided and unexpected hostility rears its head in easy-going Bilal’s direction.
As sides are taken, battle lines are drawn and marriages, friendships and loyalties tested, the sedate village of Babbel’s End becomes a hotbed of controversy set to capture the nations attention. But what does the future look like for the quintessentially English village and more importantly, will the locals ever be able to repair the damage caused by their discord? From arguments about preserving the heritage of the village to threats that it will spoil the landscape and become some kind of Mecca for radical extremists, it turns out each and every villager has their own ideas on what makes a home. Cracks suddenly start to appear in the harmonious village life and the idea of embracing change finds some very surprising opponents.
As practical steps are set in motion by Bilal, his recuperating houseguest and aunt, Rukshana, struggles to make sense of the local divisions, and the humour is ever present; from Rukshana’ literal translations, Mariam’s cynical reflections on life and relationships and Haaris’ snarky asides, which together combine to inject the narrative with a spirited humour.
As the eyes of the nation turn to Babbel’s End, news commentators, social media and Twitter opinions wade in and protests begin, the colourful residents of Babbel’s End experience a variety of responses to Bilal’s ambitions. From sanctimonious former headteacher and vocal president of the parish council, Shelley Hawking, to well travelled elderly farmer, Margaret, grieving inconsolable mother, Anne Lark, her unruly pensioner father, Tom, and the thoroughly modern and inclusive vicar questioning his own faith (Reverend Richard), the proposal prompts a variety of reactions. However it is the generosity of spirit, compassion and understanding of Rukshana (Bilal’s aunt) that really surprises and makes this such a poignant story. From her warmth, empathy and willingness to learn the language and consider Babbel’s End her home and its residents her friends, she is a focal point for the entire story.
Malik writes brilliantly and her prose is full of insight and wry observations with an eye for the human condition. My reservation that the story would veer on the side of preachy or tedious political correctness proved unfounded and the characters are no mere stereotypes and actually evolve as their hair-trigger reactions are questioned, their capacity for tolerance challenged and attitudes confronted in some dramatic ways.
An acutely perceptive, sensitively observed and ultimately tender exploration of prejudice and integration in twenty-first century Britain and a memorable drama of unexpected depth in an ever changing world. The denouement comes together in a credible way, without feeling like an attempt to “play nice”, paper over the differences in opinion or dodge the issues and is impressively managed. Guaranteed to test every reader’s preconceptions and simultaneously provide a comprehensive and relatable introduction into the Muslim faith.
With thanks to Readers First who provided me with a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.