Tehmina Durrani, bestselling author and activist, debuts her fourth book, Happy Things in Sorrow Times, at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad at 4 pm on Saturday.
Durrani’s latest thought-provoking book, published and distributed nationwide by Ferozsons, is the story of Afghanistan’s long war experience. Set against the backdrop of the ongoing war, Happy Things in Sorrow Times is a delicately-wrought tale—told from the hopeful heart of an Afghan child—of love, hardship, separation, loss and fear. The book is a treatise against war and it emphasizes the importance of caring for Afghanistan’s damaged young citizens long after U.S.-led forces leave the country next year.
The highly anticipated Happy Things in Sorrow Times is Durrani’s first book in 15 years. She has illustrated it herself, with 30 watercolor paintings based on her personal visits to refugee camps in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. These pictures will also be exhibited at the book launch in Islamabad. Happy Things in Sorrow Times has been hailed by award-winning author Khaled Ahmed, who has likened it to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Lewis Carroll classic. Durrani’s book launch in Islamabad will be moderated by Rashed Rahman, editor of Daily Times. Ahmed Rashid, the globally-renowned authority on Afghanistan, and publisher Zaheer Salamat of Ferozsons are also scheduled to speak at this exclusive event. Durrani’s previous works include My Feudal Lord (1991); A Mirror to the Blind, the authorized biography of iconic social reformer Abdul Sattar Edhi published in 1995; and the novel Blasphemy, which was released in 1998. Her first book has been translated in 39 languages and sold in 72 countries.
Tehmina brings ‘Happy Things in Sorrow Times’
