Awais Khan – No Honour

‘No Honour’ by Awais Khan has to be one of my most anticipated books for 2021. Not a book that is a light read just for entertainment. This is a book that will burrow into your mind and heart and while it is there attempt to tear your heart apart. The opening chapter will do its very best to start the tearing of your heart. In a few pages, Awais Khan sets the brutal scene. A shocking beginning that mesmerised me immediately. This book gripped me and really didn’t let go until I turned the last page and my heart had been stamped on numerous times!

Abida lives in a rural Pakistan village, where the Pir rules with an iron hand. The rules they live by are as old as time and honour is something you dare not lose. Despite this Abida is a young woman who yearns to be defiant and make a home with the man she loves.

Then the unthinkable happens and Abida faces the ultimate punishment as other young girls have before her, a certain death. Determined to resist the old ways and with the help of Jamil, her father she flees to Lahore and disappears.

Jamil travels to Lahore to find Abida and finds a city that has twisted the old ways of their village into new horrifying forms. Jamil and Abida find themselves trapped in a nightmare they may never escape.

Awais Khan with this book, has bravely and so expertly given us a snapshot of his own country. These complex and barbaric rules are a shameful thing to admit to, especially when it is your country. His bravery alone for this is commendable, and I am grateful to be able to have my eyes open to the ways that are not just in Pakistan but other countries as well. This may just have the possibility of bringing honour killings to the fore instead of being swept under the carpet and spoken about in hushed tones.

The characters he has created are mainly evil and violent in one way or another. Abida and Jamil are the only two that shine through with a hope of change and have the courage to act on that hope. They do say it only takes one person to make a stand to start change. If that is the case hope this book is read far and wide!
I must say that the settings of ‘No Honour’ have been conjured up in my mind by the author’s skilful prose. The village life with all its constraints and the dictator ruling everyone’s lives gave me such a claustrophobic feeling, along with the archaic life in poverty they lead. Lahore, I imagined that city so clearly, the drug-fuelled streets with the brothels, manned by slaves mainly and the drug bosses houses, with the women who are sold to them as 2nd, 3rd and even 4th wives. The gritty side of Pakistan is laid bare for all to see.

A story that will have you angry, heartbroken and wondering how these things are still allowed. One I will carry with me for a long time. I thank Awais for having the strength and courage to pen this incredible story from his heart.

Thank you to Anne Cater, Orenda Books and Awais Khan for allowing me the privilege of reading No Honour.