Four Dervishes

Hammad Rind

ISBN 10: 1781726310 / ISBN 13: 9781781726310

Published by Poetry Wales Press, GB, 2021

About this Item

In Four Dervishes, Hammad Rind takes the dastan, an ornate form of oral history, and creates a social satire with elements of magic realism. Drawing on a long tradition of oral storytelling, Rind finds meaning for the anonymous central character whose partner has left him and whose inspiration is equally absent. In the stories within stories of the novel, sons follow in the father's footsteps (sometimes unwittingly), crimes are committed, dark family secrets are revealed, fortunes rise and fall, self-discoveries occur, and an unforeseen circularity shows that there is little new in life. Just as the central character's circumstances are resolved, a new cycle is poised to begin.The narratives in Four Dervishes range across centuries, from the present in Middle East, through the recent past in Cardiff and into a more distant past which belongs as much in fable and folklore as it does in history. Lavishly inventive, verbally rich - Rind speaks nine languages - an exotic confection, this novel is also playful and humorous despite dark themes. One reader calls it "a fine, supercharged piece of work which sends writing from Wales rocketing in a new direction and is its own fireworks display of ideas and language. It's a bravura display.".

Seller Inventory # LU-9781781726310

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Four Dervishes
• Publisher: Poetry Wales Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1781726310
• ISBN 13: 9781781726310
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 226 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Set in the near East, Four Dervishes is a journey to understanding through layers of storytelling. Dark family secrets are laid bare, crimes committed, unknown links between a father and a son revealed, and the cycle—the circularity—of life is confirmed. All because a power failure forces the narrator to confront his present circumstances.

About the Author

Hammad Rind is a writer, linguist, and teacher. Originally from Punjab, Pakistan, he lives in Cardiff. He is the co-organiser of Just Another Poet, Wales’ first YouTube channel dedicated to poetry, and runs @words.from.punjab, an Instagram account relating the stories and etymologies of obscure words in the languages of Punjab. He has recently had stories published in journals and anthologies. He competed in Mastermind in 2015 (specialist subject: the Persian poet Rumi). Hammad is currently working on his second novel, Savage Kingdom, on the issues of race and identity in contemporary Britain.