The Homecoming

Javed Sharif, a successful rug merchant, went back to his family home in Srinagar, Kashmir to celebrate his father 84th birthday. He went home along with his dreams to spend a peaceful retirement period there among his family. Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered by a sudden knock on the door on his father's birthday. Just in a very short time, Javed's life turns upside down.

The Homecoming is a novel beautifully written by Shashi Warrier, an Indian writer. It's a story about a family --and also other family who live in Kashmir-- that are destroyed by violence and uncertainty over many decades. The author tells his story in a vivid way with strong characters. From a political conflict, it finally becomes very personal. A war always leads to a tragic ending. A long suffering. The innocent victims. No positive things at all.

This novel really haunts me even until today. I don't know perhaps the way the author tells his story is so real. My heart goes to all innocent people in Kashmir.

Already translated in bahasa by Penerbit Lentera Hati on October 2009. The translation is good enough, my comment is only on the book cover. Lack of color. Looks gloomy. I prefer the english edition book cover.