Tainted Whispers of Eden
By Sana Pirzada
Book Empire
ISBN: 978-1-914584-64-0
287pp.

It was quite a coincidence that the day I received a copy of the novel Tainted Whispers of Eden was the very day on which a letter written by its author, Sana Pirzada, was published in Dawn. In the letter, the author lamented the absence of an inclusive literary culture in Pakistan.

Pirzada is correct on some points. But it must be remembered that readership of novels in English is abysmally low in Pakistan. Books are expensive, even those published within the country. The price of books that have to be imported from abroad borders on the prohibitive. Pirzada’s complaint that TV channels do not promote authors, and reading in general, can easily be explained by economics. Advertisers choose to fund popular programmes.

Sana Sharifuddin Pirzada comes from a well-known and well-to-do family of Pakistan. She has made her home in the UK where, as a barrister, she deals with cases of human rights violations. But her passion is writing gothic novels, which she self-publishes. Tainted Whispers of Eden is her fifth novel in this genre. She has won several e-book awards for her earlier works and The Raven’s Call, her fourth novel, has been nominated in the Best English Fiction category by the UBL Literature and Arts Awards, 2024.

The cover of Tainted Whispers of Eden is glossy and colourful, dominated by the picture of an extremely attractive female face framed in auburn hair. The book immediately attracts attention. Once opened, the novel offers a very easy read. It can be completed in one sitting, especially because of the heightened tension towards the end.

Despite a few historical flaws, Sana Pirzada’s latest novel, set before the turn of the 20th century, is a roller-coaster ride of emotions and intrigue

The plot of the novel is sufficiently convoluted to be called gothic. The chapters remain small and are given titles to make it easy to absorb the plot. There is also ample involvement of the supernatural: lockets that confer safety from danger, portraits in which facial expressions change to augur dire events, and dreams and nightmares that herald disaster.

In true gothic fashion, the novel contains many portents and omens of doom. At the door of the house in which the story is set, the presence of a giant cockroach announces the rot inside. As the characters are introduced, it becomes clear that there is something sinister about each one. The suspense is palpable and the final revelations are as melodramatic as any gothic novel reader can desire. By the end of the tale, all the villains get their just desserts, the innocent victims are saved to live happily ever after and no loose ends are left untied.

The heroine and narrator is an Indian woman, Zarina. However, as the story unfolds, the existence of Zarina in the novel becomes moot. The story could as easily have been told by a third person omniscient narrator. Zarina is also problematic on other levels. She is the daughter of an Indian barrister with a house on the posh Malabar Hill in Bombay (Mumbai). Yet, when she arrives in London, she seems to be destitute and has to rely on others for daily necessities.

The main story of Tainted Whispers of Eden is set before the turn of the 20th century, during the well-entrenched Victorian Age. It seems far-fetched, therefore, that at that time Zarina, an unmarried Muslim woman, wears English gowns as her dress of choice, and that she is cognizant of the classical compositions of Handel and Albinoni. Even though this is her first foray into Europe, she also knows what Italian piazzas look like and can recognise the painting styles of the great masters, Botticelli and Rossetti.

In the novel, the dynamics of the servant’s hall in Victorian England also leave much to be desired. Downton Abbey has made even non-readers familiar with how the “downstairs” in a Victorian mansion works. Scullery maids do not run baths for guests, the retainer who drives the horse carriage is not called the chauffeur and, most pertinent to the plot, valets accompany their masters on long journeys.

However, Pirzada shows total dominance in the area of her professional expertise. The court case is remarkably well done. The arguments, the examination and cross examination of the witnesses and the general proceedings are eminently believable.

The author also deftly brings up topics which are of interest today. The theme of homosexuality is introduced by the advent of Oscar Wilde at one of the parties that Zarina attends. Gender bias is discussed by showcasing the futility of female complaints against men. Zarina’s accusations against a member of the British elite are casually pushed aside by her own guardian. She is given the response, which women often get to this day, that she is imagining things and giving too much credence to coincidences.

Pirzada puts time and effort in delineating her characters. When they are introduced to the reader, it is clear that the author has a picture of each one in her mind. She describes the appearance and the wardrobes of the dramatis personae in detail. Moreover, the author makes sure that they all stick to the roles assigned to them and no one acts out of character.

But the motivations and make-up of two important female characters remain shrouded in mystery. One female is brazenly lascivious and adulterous and shamelessly vile. No explanation is put forward for her overt evil tendencies. In the Victorian era, it was the norm to present only perfect facades in public. Ugly truths were kept safely under the radar. Yet this character is incredibly bold and commits all her sins in the limelight. Similarly, it is not clarified why another female character inspires near universal love and devotion.

Notwithstanding the few historical flaws, Tainted Whispers of Eden is a rollicking tale. It is a mad romp that pulls one along, willy-nilly, into a roller-coaster ride of emotions and intrigue. In true page-turner tradition, it does not let the reader rest till the mystery is solved. When the book ends, the reader smiles with satisfaction and draws a long contented sigh. The novel delivers exactly what it sets out to do!

The reviewer is a freelance writer, author of the novel

The Tea Trolley and the translator of Toofan Se Pehlay: Safar-i-Europe Ki Diary

Published in Dawn, Books & Authors, June 1st, 2025