Saleebain Apni Apni
By Rafi Mustafa
Aks Publications
ISBN: 978-9697313877
432pp.

If you are looking for a novel to spend some time with, a book that pulls you in and tells you a story that stays with you for a long time, then Rafi Mustafa’s Saleebein Apni Apni [To Each Their Own Cross] should be well worth your attention. It is the kind of novel that grips you early on and draws you into a world of relationships, faith, friendship and emotional complexity.

The book starts off with the author explaining the meaning of the title of his novel. He says that there is a metaphor about everyone bearing the burden of their own difficulties and choices, just like the characters of his book.

The novel is set in the early 1960s in Hyderabad, Sindh, where most of the story unfolds and other settings include Chittagong in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Parvez, Daniel, Maryam and Youhanna Arif are the four main characters of the story and the latter three, like several other characters in the novel, are Christians. The story revolves mostly around churches, schools, Christian homes and communities, all of which provide a distinctive atmosphere in the novel, since such settings and characters are not common in Urdu fiction.

Parvez is the narrator and Daniel is his closest friend. Both are university students. Despite belonging to different faiths, the two share a close bond. Parvez reads the Bible and often accompanies Daniel to church, while Daniel is equally curious about Islam and visits the mosque with him. However, things change when Maryam, at whose house Parvez provides tuition to children, enters their lives.

A recently published Urdu novel, set mainly among the Christian community in Hyderabad of the 1960s, is a multi-faith tale of friendship, love and difficult choices that keeps confounding expectations

Daniel, who is an acquaintance of Maryam’s family, already likes her and gradually falls in love with her. Maryam also likes him and they develop a close friendship and likeness for each other, which makes the reader believe that their story is heading towards a predictable romantic conclusion. However, the arrival of Youhanna Arif, Maryam’s childhood friend from East Pakistan, who also likes her, changes the course of the narrative. From that point onwards, it becomes a story of difficult choices, their consequences and regrets.

The suspense never dies, though. The reader’s expectations are proven wrong at many points. The author repeatedly makes the reader believe that the story is heading in a certain direction before quietly altering its course.

The novel derives much of its momentum from the uncertainty related to the choices made by Maryam. Later, it is also clarified why she does what she does and how her childhood has shaped her choices. The reader keeps turning the pages to discover what happens next.

Daniel is a compelling figure. The reader feels bad for him because of what he has to experience and would expect him to indulge in

self-pity. However, Daniel proves such thoughts wrong. Parvez, meanwhile, serves as the novel’s moral centre. He observes the characters and his calm presence moves the narrative ahead.

Equally interesting is the close relationship between Parvez and another character, Reverend Paul, who leads prayers at Hyderabad’s St Thomas Church. Both characters interact frequently with each other and converse on diverse topics, including religion. There is mutual curiosity. The author presents this not as an act of tolerance but as a relation built on respect.

The novel’s treatment of religion also deserves mention. As much of the story takes place within Pakistan’s Christian community, the reader is absorbed into the churches, priests, choirs and Christian life. Verses from the Bible precede each chapter. They are mostly related to the emotional direction of the chapters that follow. Readers unfamiliar with Christianity also get a quiet introduction to its traditions and beliefs without ever feeling that they are being lectured.

Diction is another strong quality of the book. The choice of words is very appropriate. The vivid descriptions make the dialogues feel natural. The pace of the story also remains steady throughout, which allows it to move forward without unnecessary diversions.

Nevertheless, the novel is not without its shortcomings. There is no layered symbolism or complex philosophical theme as such but, even for a relatively straightforward story, certain emotional transitions could have been explored in greater depth. There are moments when the narrative appears to linger on an emotional conflict and then it moves on rather quickly. Readers looking for more psychological depth may find themselves wanting more at such points.

The ending is also a divisive aspect. The author once again resists the resolution many readers are likely to expect. Despite investing so much in the emotional journeys of the characters, one is left wanting a greater sense of closure. There is a sense of incompleteness. Whether this is a conscious choice or a flaw will depend on the individual reader. For some, the ending will feel faithful to life’s uncertainties. For others, it may be a bit disappointing.

The reviewer is a member of staff. X: @WaqasAliRanjha

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, August 16th, 2026