Writer Umera Ahmed’s book Aks (reflection) portrays life as being a game of chess.
One might think that what does one’s reflection has to do with a game of chess. Well, after reading Aks, you will get to know how that is so. Umera Ahmed’s writing style is very unique, beautiful, intriguing and a bit confusing as well. This novel disturbs you as it is about one of the most harsh and brutal realities of life. Starting from the very beginning, it’s quite disturbing to jump from one scenario to another and to remember what is happening. But I think this is the beauty and suspense of the story. In a game of chess, the queen is the most powerful piece. Yet, the whole game of chess is about king’s show of power.
Chirya is not satisfied with this arrangement. She thinks if the queen is the most powerful piece then she must be the most important one as well.
Moving to the other scenario of this novel, there’s a fairytale of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. The seven dwarfs are actually the ghosts which are present in the house. There is a per-conceived notion about them that they are scary, horrible and very ugly, but Aks loves them because they never harmed her. She has named them Daido, Kato, Minta, Kinta, Shinta, Toko and Tofo. Connecting these two scenarios is an art of an amazing writer and I believe Ahmed nailed it.
Aks is all about the struggle, sacrifice and fight of an eight-year-old girl, who suffers from childhood trauma. The way she stands on her own not only to face the world but to defeat the horrifying game of psychologically disturbed people is amazing. She’s different, headstrong, intelligent and a beautiful girl because of her determination, intellectual abilities and immense wisdom. Ahmed perfectly conveyed the protagonist’s personality and makes us fall in love with her.
One of the most important messages, the writer conveys is that of education. Education is actually the enrichment of faculties, development of personality, utilisation of abilities and cultivation of individuality
One of the most important messages she conveys is that of education. Education is actually the enrichment of faculties, development of personality, utilisation of abilities, cultivation of individuality, accomplishment of society, transmission of excellences, inculcation of values, organisation of experiences and normalisation of mind. Aks Murad Ali achieves all this despite being psychologically disturbed. The way she copes with her trauma with the help of her beloved maternal grandfather is exceptional. She proves that the queen is the most important one but there’s one thing Aks believes is really important and that is fate.
It’s a very deep story and will actually leave you rethinking about you life in a more philosophical way.
This novel has some beautiful and adorable relationships. The relationship of Chirya and her grandfather is one. He is her huge support. Sherdil is portrayed as the perfect husband even though he admires Aks a lot but is sincere with his wife. Aks conveys that whatever bad happens to you, you should be the one to end it and it’s beautifully sketched as she forces Sherdil to return for Noor Bano as she doesn’t want her daughter to go through what she has.
The only drawback or the negative aspects of this novel were the confusing names, two different scenarios and I think the main theme itself. It’s quite disturbing to read about such matters as they wrench your heart.
Aks is a reflection and it was left for us to think who we are, the normal looking people with filthy hearts or the scary, ugly creatures with beautiful heart.
I won’t recommend this novel to everyone because it did disturb me a lot but it does have a deep message. It’s inspirational and I feel like every woman should read it.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, March 9th 2019.