Rohzin Paperback – Import, 29 May 2023

No novel Is bad. It gives you something at the end. But I don't know why writer commendable the vulgarity of Asrar(Main character of Novel).

The soul of Rohzin is its dreams—dreams within dreams, the myth within dreams, dreams floating beyond the veil translated by spirits, djinns, devils, and angels, gods and goddesses; the skeleton—its characters with their most dynamic arcs, turning points of which are sharp oxbows; the flesh, blood and skin are made up of all the feelings and emotions that human bodies, their hearts, minds and souls are capable of evoking; finally, the heart of this tale is the city of Mumbai, nah, not just an average-day Mumbai, but Mumbai also on its most cataclysmic days—like dreadful floods of 26th July 2005; the city thriving, pumping blood in its people and them doing same to the city, no matter where they have come from and why, unless on some days some people meet a tragic end; and two of them are our protagonists—Asrar and Hina.

One of trendsetter novel in urdu fiction. Blend of realism and partial magical realism made this novel capable to carve a fresh ground for urdu novel

I started reading the book and was gripped by it from the moment I downloaded it from the kindle store. A delicately told love story which at once is also full-blooded and forceful. The narrative is taut. The characters are compellingly etched-out and are totally relatable.Peeking into the protagonists' life is a cleansing experience as we too experience the storm of emotions they go through.The end is already known as it is revealed right at the beginning and when it happens it leaves a lump in the throat and yet it is some kind of a celebration at a higher level.Finally, I loved the way Bombay is portrayed. Rahman Abbas has described Bombay as intimately and sensitively as Henry Miller described New York, Graham Greene described London, Jean-Paul Sartre described Paris, Alberto Moravia described Rome and James Joyce described Dublin.

Well! A bold attempt by the writer at narrating several aspects about Mumbai set around the floods of 26th July, 2005. But this novel has a complerely different approach in terms of viewing Mumbai. The reference to Mumba devi, the Goddess which oversees everything that happens in Mumbai is fascinating. Many facts mentioned by the author are fictional and dramatized. Many scenes of human relationships cound have been put with more sobriety. And not that starkingly as have been narrated or dialoged. All in all a work of fiction, and brings out even the satanic entities. I'd rate this book at 2 stars, although the author has won the Sahitya Academy Award and several accolades in Germany and other places abroad.....Nilesh Chogle

Rohzin, a translation from Urdu Novel is a book that closely follows the city of dreams 'Mumbai' through the eyes of its characters. The characters in the novel go through whirl of passions throughout the novel particularly Asrar, a small town boy from Mabadmorpho. Coming to Mumbai and living in the Kholi brings out the unpleasant sides of the city to him. But he is ignorant of what is going to unravel next. After he gets a job for himself, meeting Hina brings a new scene in his life. A teenage love affair onsets. The novel has instances of platonic romances and the turmoil one faces around them. Its a roller coaster of feelings with an end that leaves you with heavy heart.The best part about the book is the portrayal of Mumbai and how the author has bought in Mumba Devi and her legends. Also magical realism inside the book pulls attention.Overall it was a fine book to read for a change. Not an old-hat love story.