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Book Review: The Opium Eaters By Harold Bergsma
Deepti Lamba
While reading Harold's remarkable - Opium Eaters, which happens to be the final novel to the three part saga (One Way To Pakistan, Oath of Vengeance and Opium Eaters) I was quite taken in by his in depth knowledge of Muslim Culture.
And as mentioned in the Preface of his second novel he is well acquainted with the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan. His love for the culture, food and understanding of the social customs and Islam itself makes the book a fantastic read. The storyline is fast paced and the characters are complex.
In many ways his books reflect the complex Islamic world where things cannot be simply seen as Black and White. Despite showing the suffering of women in the Islamic patriarchal fold in its bleakest form Harold also showed their fighting spirit where within the existing system they tried to live the best lives possible and even fight to save their honor.
The men folk living their lives according to the Islamic way (religion, after all, is a way of life for most) either used women as nothing more than slaves for their pleasure or some even tried to treat them as foretold by the Prophet.
What was surprising was the element of official and non official marriages through which a single man could have multiple wives and even 'sex slaves' which were ideally to be considered as female servants and to be treated fairly but whether that happened would depend upon the master of the house's discretion.
While in the first book Harold acquainted us with the interaction between the expat American community and Pakistanis and the ensuing conflicts in their lives, in the second and third novels the plot line became broader and more politically complex.
In fact the in the third novel- The Opium Eaters Harold showed how Opium funds the Taliban war against America and their imposition of democracy on Afghanistan. And the frustrations of the Americans who are unable to destroy the Opium smuggling from the root source-the tribals areas of Afghanistan to the ports of Pakistan.
Despite introducing new plot lines Harold did not lose track of his old characters and drop them like most authors do. Each character played its part, suffered, some died and some rose like the phoenix despite their circumstances.
Harold has a fluid style of writing and his books make a marvelous read since they show us a world we generally get to read about but rarely are a part of.
Related Article: Book Review: One Way To Pakistan
Vinod Joseph
September 6, 2008
04:05 AM
Good review. Let me get hold of this book. Does Harold take the stand that legalising drugs may help the fight against the Taliban?
Deepti Lamba
URL
September 6, 2008
05:25 AM
Well, Vinod - there are two ways of finding that out- either you can ask Harold the question directly or read his books.
I would do the latter;)
anand
September 6, 2008
09:39 AM
lets be honest.
after afganistan was used to achieve USA's imperialst objectives and in the process it created an almost irreversible wave of religious militancy in the region. mindless fucks were created to fight the soviets. US sponsored weapons were distributed for free in afganistan and the northern regions of pakistan amongst poor illiterate unemployed young men and were systematically brainwashed by relgious schools. all under the USA's supervision. the ends justified the means for the US. but one day they just packed up and abandoned the region like a used condom. no they didnt care to install a responsible government in afghansitan, they didnt help them to build the economy and infrastrure, they didnt give a shit about the millions of fefugees, create jobs and channelise the young that had been (mis)led into the abyss.
tell me....what other thing could you expect from these mindless rogues other than grow opium and oppress women?
harold bergsma
URL
September 6, 2008
01:10 PM
Deepti, Wonderful review. You pulled out the right stops like an organist and the chords were in harmony. Thanks again.
Aanand, how true, how true: young feckless youth who are handed a powerful weapon become an army with jihad on their minds. Political expediency seems to rule, as long as the rule-maker is on top. Recently I read that Iraq is seeking to purchase many F16 fighter jets from USA with all the 'bells and whistles'. The implications of all these arms sales internationally are staggering and US soldiers well may face foes in the future who are armed to the teeth with sophisticated weapons sold by their own government. It is a confusing world.
Deepti Lamba
URL
September 6, 2008
02:10 PM
Nice way of putting it Harold. Glad you liked the review.
Incidentally have you seen Nicholas Cage's movie- Lord of War?
Humor aside, the movie touched upon some valid points.
anand
September 7, 2008
02:01 AM
harold: what did you read? IRAQ seeking to purchase F-16's. the same iraq puppet government installed by the US themselves? dont you realize it could be to counter iran? . and please dont compare this SALE of F-16 to a government to the free DISTRIBUTION of rocket launchers to illiterate youth.
there is a greater need to see the 'bigger picture'. its unfortunate when people gulp down everything as a fight between good and evil
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