Book Review: The House of Fear

                                            

Source-Amazon.com

Ibn-e-Safi’s “The House of Fear" is a thrilling novel in the Imran Ali series written by the renowned Urdu novelist Ibn-e-Safi. The book has been translated into English by Bilal Tanweer and published by Vintage Books in 2016.

This novel is a great addition to the Imran Ali series and an excellent example of Urdu crime fiction. The book revolves around the main character Imran Ali, an intelligence officer who is called to investigate the strange occurrences happening in a remote mansion known as the House of Fear.

The mansion belongs to a wealthy businessman who has recently passed away, and the heirs are experiencing terrifying events that they cannot explain.

 

The plot

The story starts with Imran Ali receiving a call from his superior officer, who assigns him to investigate a strange case at the House of Fear. Imran accepts the task and arrives at the mansion to begin his investigation. He discovers that the house is filled with hidden passageways and secret rooms, which adds to the mystery and suspense of the novel.

As Imran delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of deceit, murder, and conspiracy that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. The novel is filled with suspense, as the reader tries to guess who the culprit could be and what their motives are. Good stories particularly mysteries includes elements like an interesting character, fast pace narrative, suitable degree of narrative with an element of mystery balanced with it.

It combines elements of both Eastern and Western storytelling traditions. One of the key elements of Western detective fiction that is present in "The House of Fear" is the focus on a central protagonist who is a skilled detective. Imran is a complex and multifaceted character, who possesses a sharp mind, excellent deductive skills, and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of the truth.

His character is reminiscent of classic Western detectives such as Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Additionally, the novel explores themes of honor, duty, and loyalty, which are important concepts in Eastern cultures. The novel can also be compared to “Amar ayyar” which follows the adventures of Amir Hamza, a trickster and a spy.

Amir Hamza is someone who wears a mask, to remove the masks of others same as Imran who is a master of disguise and easily blends into any situation effortlessly. He from chapter 1 itself acts like a foolish person who forgets everything and easily fools people by it except his friend Fayyaz who says: ‘Don’t try to fool me, Irfan” (2, 10). He constantly uses the wrong words. This deliberate use of wrong words not out of mistake but out of desire is called malapropism.

 

Strengths

One of the strengths of "Ibn-e-Safi House of Fear" is the vivid descriptions of the characters and the surroundings. The author has used descriptive language to paint a picture of the characters and their emotions, which adds to the overall reading experience.

The characters are well-developed, and the protagonist Imran Ali is portrayed as a resourceful and intelligent officer who never backs down from a challenge.

 

Another strength of the novel is the setting, which is the House of Fear. The mansion is described in detail, with its hidden passageways and secret rooms adding to the mystery and suspense of the story. The author has done an excellent job of creating a creepy and eerie atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge throughout the novel.

 

The plot of the novel is well-crafted, with a clear and concise narrative. The story moves at a steady pace, and the author keeps the reader engaged with twists and turns that keep the story interesting. The climax of the novel is well-executed, with a surprising reveal that ties up all the loose ends.

 

Weakness

One of the potential weaknesses of the novel is that it is translated from Urdu, which may make the language and writing style feel a bit foreign to English-speaking readers. However, this is a minor issue that should not detract from the overall reading experience.

 

In conclusion, "Ibn-e-Safi House of Fear" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mystery and suspense novels. The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and eerie atmosphere that keeps the reader on edge throughout the novel.

The character development, setting, and plot are all well-crafted, making this novel a great addition to the Imran Ali series and an excellent example of Urdu crime fiction. So go now and buy a copy of your novel asap as it mostly is out of stock.

 

Ratings: 4/5

Written By - Kirti Garg 

Edited By- Akshita Bist