|Book Review|: Jinnistan - Scary stories to tell over Chai

 

Jinnistan - Scary stories to tell over chai

Book name: Jinnistan - Scary stories to tell over chai
Author: Ayesha Muzaffar
Series: Stand alone
Sequence in Series: 1
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Spooky, Sub Continent

Synopsis:

If there's something Pakistanis love more than December shaadis and desi food, it’s jinn stories. Jinnistan is a gripping collection of South Asian short horrors featuring paranormal entities in all shapes and forms- including the form of a loved one, perhaps your neighbor... even your child. So close the curtains, grab your chai and get ready to read spine-chilling tales based on true events.

One of the cultural aspects of being a true Pakistani is sharing love for Daraoni Jinn stories while growing up. You are not a true Pakistani unless you as a kid, along with your siblings and cousins have not sat together at night and narrated horror stories to each other. "Jinnistan" is a compilation of similar stories. It takes you back to your good old childhood days and reminds you of the cozy evenings spent with closed loved ones listening to Jinn stories. My today's review is on Ayesha Muzaffar's book "Jinnistan" 

I heard of Ayesha Muzaffar for the first time via a Facebook group "Bookay" where her debut book "Abu's Jinns" was under discussion. Its from the book reviews and comments I learnt about her work and later followed her on Instagram where she posts scary stories regularly. Sadly her first book is only available on Amazon and isnt available in Pakistan. I couldn't read her stories and had to suffice reading her Instagram writings. I must hand it to her that she is one of her kind horror fiction writer hailing from Pakistan. She has given horror stories a new trend. It came as a pleasant surprised to me when she announced the publication of her new book "Jinnistan" to be published by Liberty books. The much awaited and anticipated book came close to being published and Covid - 19 hit the world. The world came at a stand still stalling the publication. I waited another 2 to 3 months for the book. Liberty books had already taken pre-orders for the book and I was satisfied knowing that whenever the book becomes available, I shall receive my copy. 

Finally when I received the book, I was pretty eager to read it and started off right away. As I mentioned earlier, the book is a compilation of short horror stories. The stories are similar to the ones we narrate on frequent basis; supernatural events experienced by self or others. The book represents true desi essence with local settings in cities like Karachi, Lahore and Sahiwal. The language is very simple and the blend of desi language with English has added masala and taste to these stories further. You can easily relate yourself to the stories by imagining yourself experiencing horrible incidents. I am a regular follower of her "Shaadi Ever After" series on Instagram and absolutely love reading them. They span over 8 to 10 installments and posted on frequent basis. These stories have a lengthier narrative and build up simmering slowly over low heat of thrill and curiosity. I found this element entirely missing in her book. The stories were rather short and lacked depth and detailing. In some cases, the stories even felt rushed. 

I must hand it to Ayesha, all her stories had a sinister feel to them. I do not get spooked easily and am a big fan of horror fiction. However there is this one story in particular that left me feeling a bit uneasy and its also my favorite one. "Baby darwaza khol do" spooked me like no other. Its about a couple where the husband is habitual of coming late at home and calls his wife to open the gate each night. On one such night same happens but it happens repeatedly which ends up leaving the wife confused. Since she woke up from deep sleep she doesnt notice much and sleeps on it and when she wakes up in the morning her husband denies repeatedly going out of the house the previous night. This story chilled me to my bones. Imagine living with your husband and realizing that your husband is not who you think he is. He is not even human, he is something else entirely and your obliviousness knows no bounds. This story often pops into my mind when I am about to turn off bedroom lights at night. I read this story to my husband as well and I often end up asking him, if its really him? I know it sounds stupid but its just a way of pushing away the eerie spooky feeling. 

All in all Jinnistan is one of its kind read with a unique and captivating narrative. Its a quick read that shall take you about 3 hours maximum. I finished it off within 4 days by reading every night before going to bed. I found night time to be best for reading this book. As much as I enjoyed reading the book, it also left me craving for more. You know that constant feeling that something is amiss? Just that! I feel the book lacked character development and lengthy narration to develop story and hash out the details. But then again it isn't a possibility with short stories. I very much want a detailed, one story book version by Ayesha with bone chilling experiences. 

Rating: 

3.5/5  

Price: 

Rs. 1095 

Availability: 

Liberty Books 

Verdict: 

I do recommend giving this book a read. Ayesha's blend of desiness with modernism in a traditional setting with the use of simple language is what makes this book a delight to read. 

I hope you enjoyed the book review. Stay healthy and beautiful. xoxo!!!