BOOKS TO READ POST PAHALGAM, ABDULRAZAK GURNAH’S NEW NOVEL AND MORE
Reading as a Way to Carry the Valley With You
After visiting Pahalgam, with its serene valleys, pine-fringed rivers, and glacial trails, returning to regular life can feel abrupt. Books become a bridge — a way to hold on to the stillness, the introspection, and the quiet conversations that the landscape inspires.
Here’s a curated list of books to read post-Pahalgam, with themes ranging from exile and return, to nature, memory, and silence.
Abdulrazak Gurnah’s New Novel: A Master of Displacement Returns
The Nobel Laureate’s latest novel continues his signature exploration of migration, exile, and postcolonial identity. Set partly on the African coast and partly in an unnamed European city, Gurnah’s prose weaves together tenderness and tragedy with astonishing grace.
Why It’s a Must-Read Post-Pahalgam:
Gurnah’s characters often stand between landscapes, just like a visitor in Pahalgam might — suspended between awe and unease, between longing and belonging.
More Books to Read After Visiting Pahalgam
1. “The Living Mountain” by Nan Shepherd
A meditative classic on walking and knowing a mountain, this book slows you down to the rhythms of breath, light, and rock — much like Pahalgam does.
2. “In Other Rooms, Other Wonders” by Daniyal Mueenuddin
Short stories set in Pakistan’s rural and urban spaces, capturing the class tensions and silences that echo across South Asian landscapes.
3. “No One Writes to the Colonel” by Gabriel García Márquez
For its quiet political despair and lyrical simplicity — a companion to the still waters and unsaid words one carries from the mountains.
4. “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” by Arundhati Roy
Partly set in Kashmir, Roy’s novel is sprawling, fragmented, and unapologetically human. A read that deepens what you see and feel after being in the valley.
Themes That Echo Post-Pahalgam
Stillness and silence as narrative forms
The emotional terrain of departure and return
Nature not just as setting, but as central character
The psychological residue of place
(FAQ) – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why are books recommended after visiting Pahalgam?
Because reading helps extend the emotional and sensory experience of being in a place like Pahalgam, offering reflection and resonance.
What is Abdulrazak Gurnah’s new novel about?
It explores displacement, belonging, and memory — themes Gurnah is celebrated for — set between coastal Africa and Europe.
Are these books only for literary readers?
Not at all. They’re accessible to anyone who wants to explore emotion, place, and human experience more deeply.
Can these books help me reconnect with Kashmir after my visit?
Yes, particularly titles that delve into landscape, memory, and socio-political themes related to South Asia.
Is Abdulrazak Gurnah’s new novel available in India?
Yes, it’s available online and in major bookstores across the country.
Published on: July 16, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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