Little Maryam by Hamid Baig Review

This book is a very rare find for me. I've read over 100 books in the past 2 years and nothing stuck to me like Little Maryam did. The writing is so crisp and eloquent. It made me want to savor each and every line thinking to myself, "Will I ever be as gifted as this writer is?" Hamid Baig has wonderfully-crafted this debut novel, which I strongly believe is a bestseller in the making.

This is the story of Dr. Saadiq Haider--genius, alcoholic and a womanizer. Anne, a bright journalist tries to interview the enigmatic doctor on a plane ride to India. But hold on, this book is not about his scandalous past. The story quickly transitions into the past where it all began for Saadiq--when he was 14 years old, on the day he met the love of his life--Maryam, who was a few years younger than him.

Saadiq and his father, Haji, work as gardeners for Maryam's father, the Colonel. The two children immediately become the best of friends and spend a few months together when the Colonel was away for war.

However, things changed when the Colonel returned. Given the status difference between them both, Saadiq was told by his father to keep a distance from Maryam.

Years later, Saadiq becomes the brightest in his institute, garnering awards from all over the country and is widely-recognized for his genius. It is during Maryam's birthday that he finally decides to declare his love.

But a few years later on a very fateful day, Saadiq becomes charged with the murder of his best friend and things began to fall apart, as he is torn away from everything he's ever known and loved.

I would equate this book with the likes of The Kite Runner, The Boy In the Striped Pajamas, The Book Thief and a hint of The Notebook when it comes to literary beauty. The imageries and descriptions are so vivid, I was imagining myself transported to the countryside where Saadiq and Maryam grew up and seeing their beloved banyan tree, Kali.

I would recommend this book to everyone I know. It is a heartwarming and poignant novel of true love, the loss of innocence and redemption.

You can find the book here:

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Maryam-Hamid-Baig-ebook/dp/B0798TZH99

~Dawn