In his debut novel, Walk to Freedom: A historic journey, author Javed Mohammed gives readers an electrifying and eye-opening fictional look into the history of India and Pakistan as detailed by one family's struggle during the partition.
The novel is narrated by Omar Ghazi, who is retelling his historic journey to his grandchildren in California covering his fears and aspirations to get an education. Taking place during the 20th century's largest refugee migration, readers receive a personal, first hand account of an unfortunately abandoned time in history.
The dialogue at times can be seemingly distracting. However, by adding realism to the storyline, it begins to grow on the reader. Ghazi is forced to become a refugee along with his family, having to move to Pakistan on a death-defying journey. One powerful scene exhibits this when Mohammed describes a train filled with refugees being held up by bandits.
In an effort to save lives of their women and children, we see how Ghazi innovatively leads his fellow refugees in an intense struggle. Once he reaches Pakistan, Ghazi finds out that the struggle for freedom and education is not over. Now he and his family have to face oppressive Pakistani feudal landlords. He fights for his freedom and his villages across three continents. Along the way he makes friends with other Pakistanis, a Sikh and an Englishman.
In the process he gets the education of his life. We continue to follow Ghazi along his journey as he pushes through and over obstacles, which he can only survive through determination, strong faith, and help from his peers. Mohammed gives us Ghazi -an average individual, much like ourselves- yet, as the story ends we begin to see how such an average person can make such an empowering impact affecting so many others.
He achieves this through an engaging and often suspenseful storyline which is a poignantly written reminder of the importance of strengthening unity amongst all humankind. Such a message is desperately needed, especially today. Ghazi teaches us that we each have our own personal walks to freedom; each beginning with one brave step.
Without doubt, an intense story to read as it's very easy and has something everyone can take from it. "Walk to Freedom" has the makings of an action-adventure film and a must-read. Mabruka Abudra is an English Major and an editor of MyFavoriteReview.com
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