Taha Kehar’s stellar review of Agency Rules for Express Tribune in Pakistan.
“In 351 pages, Muhammad takes you on a journey filled with nail-biting suspense to reveal the bare bones of politics in Pakistan. Much to the reader’s dismay, this isn’t an entirely smooth journey. More often than not, the narrative appears exceedingly fast-paced and gallops ahead without a clear transition or pause.
At some points, the essence of the story stands the risk of slipping out of the reader’s hands. For instance, by the sixth chapter, readers may find themselves overwhelmed by the plethora of characters — both major and minor — that keep flitting in and out. The novel’s fast and furious pace may not always provide them with ample space to take a step back and understand all characters.
At this stage, discerning readers may find the narrative tedious to get through. However, the story manages to redeem itself by drawing them into its complicated twists and turns in lush prose that sets the nerves tingling. This is possibly the most unexpected outcomes of the novel. The genre of the book is likely to attract considerable attention. At a time when novelists have selected the inner courtyard as the epicentre to understand Pakistan, Muhammad has penned a spy thriller to act as a mirror to society. Even though it is the first English novel of its kind from Pakistan, the book appeals equally to the head and the heart.
Interestingly, these details have not been presented an overly descriptive or complex manner. On the contrary, all background information has been provided through a historical context. The spillover effect of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the arrival of the mujahideen in Pakistan is used to add a realistic touch to the narrative. As a result, the book offers a compelling discourse on the scourge of militancy which has gripped the country.
It is only befitting that Agency Rules is likened with John Le Carre’s espionage novels. However, even when it is compared to local fiction which focuses on Pakistan, it stands out as slightly more comprehensive. This is because the novel contextualises the country’s problems and does not strike an emotional chord through a peculiar stretch of the imagination.”
Read the entire review – https://tribune.com.pk/story/830760/reality-at-its-core
