Book Review - Fateful Hope

In collaboration with The Book Network.

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Fateful Hope, by Aleksandr Jarid

Synopsis

"Only love can save humanity in this suspenseful thriller about human values underpinning our survival, ancient artefacts and present torment of love!

Life. To be born and gifted the ability to feel human. To love, cry and create new life. This is humanity. Or is it all just a lie?

Cameron and Emilie. Two individuals who seem to meet by chance. A path that started out so perfect, spirals into a web of deception, kidnap and death.

Emilie disappears and the time that follows takes Cameron into the dark world of powerful forces that leverage on Emilie getting Cameron to reveal secrets he hides that they deem their property.

Associates and friends who Cameron held close to his heart, all come into the frame and not all ever was what it seemed.

Now he must decide, who or what to believe if he is to get Emilie back safely and all that Emilie now holds for his own future family. This is not just about two people fighting for love and survival.

They both realise that this is about the survival of humanity and all that it holds in its past for our future!"

4/5*

Aleksandr Jarid's Fateful Hope, an enticing thriller set in a multitude of timelines, did not fail to puzzle me. As the reader, I was questioning where my loyalties lied throughout the text as the perspectives shifted continuously.

A fresh set of eyes shed light on the mysteries the protagonist, Cameron, explores. The complexities of the covert and sometimes defensive false trails left by Cameron and Emilie leaves me wanting more; it is certainly a page-turner, as you set out to separate fact from fiction.

I particularly enjoyed the vivid imagery Jarid incorporated throughout the text. The expanse of detail created a mystifying prose that brings the enigma to life. I would highly recommend this book to thriller, mystery and Indiana Jones-esque fans alike.

Retailers listed here:

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Zack

*Kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review - Death in Kabul

In collaboration with The Book Network.

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Death in Kabul, by Alison Belsham and Nick Higgins

Synopsis

"A murdered man. A stolen artefact. A search for justice in a city where violence and corruption rule…

2003. Kabul has become a frontier city, Afghanistan’s fledgling democracy struggling with crime and corruption as NATO coalition troops, gangs and warlords jostle for control. A city where justice is an ideal and security means carrying a gun.

When the body of a British serviceman is discovered in the city’s infamous tank graveyard, the Kabul Police reach out for support in their investigation. Alasdair ‘Mac’ MacKenzie, formerly of the Metropolitan Police, is seconded to the team.

Baz Khan, an Afghan-American investigative journalist, is in Kabul researching a story. Precious antiquities, priceless artefacts of the country’s rich history, are disappearing amid the chaos, never to be seen again. Baz is determined to uncover whoever is spiriting them away, to prevent her war-torn country being further denuded for profit. And she has a lead…

The soldier’s death was no accident. Why was he so far from the British base in the middle of the night? And alone? As Baz and Mac investigate, they quickly realise they have each stumbled on something far bigger than they reckoned with, and are tossed into the Kabul underworld, where violence and corruption rule."

5/5*

Authentically thrilling, "Death in Kabul" immediately thrusts its reader into a world of mystery and corruption. Avid readers of crime fiction will love this book and the immersive experience it provides.

Duo protagonists Baz and Mac investigate the death of a British serviceman on Kabul soil, where the shady underworld is vividly explored. I felt the characters were genuine in their intentions and their actions reflected this.

"Death in Kabul" is fast paced, exciting and deeply enthralling. It opens your eyes to the landscape of Afghanistan and the dynamic of its citizens, whilst keeping intact its cultural diversity and beauty.

I thoroughly enjoyed the atmospheric presence created; it is uneasy, gripping and demonstrably well done. I would highly recommend this book to crime, thriller and mystery enthusiasts alike!

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Zack

*Kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review - Breaking Free: Recognising & Surviving Controlling Behaviours

 

In collaboration with The Book Network.

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Breaking Free - Recognising & Surviving Controlling Behaviours, by Eva Jean

4.5/5*

Abuse.

The topic is hardly conversational, given the obtuse taboo nature associated with it, but it ought to be discussed more freely. Various forms of abuse exist within human nature and they affect us so deeply, often traumatising us and even leading to one's demise. It is not only women who suffer, but people of any gender or age. Despite the devastating impact it has on us, society has not always been so understanding to its victims. A lack of openness and conversation on the matter has allowed abusers to continue their destructive ways and prevent survivors from speaking up. In the most heartbreaking cases, victims have ended up dead at the hands of their abuser.

Eva Jean, writer of Breaking Free: Recognising & Surviving Controlling Behaviours details the various forms of abuse that exist in our lives. In this book, Jean takes apart abusive and coercive means and lays them out for all to see. The multifaceted nature of abuse is astounding to see, once laid out so plainly, and it presses the reader to think back to their own experiences - experiences of past relationships, hearsay in the community, articles they have read of the latest celebrity breakup. The various signs we have seen throughout our lives, often hinting to something being off about a relationship, something wrong. Breaking Free pushes through this apprehension in confronting the issue and opens our eyes to reality - that everything is not black and white. That victims of abuse will not necessarily be physically harmed, but also emotionally and financially. Jean emphasises the destructiveness of all forms of abuse which affect men, women, children, families and friendships.

Jean's thorough and strategic breakdown of physical, social, financial, sexual and emotional abuse allows us to gain an understanding of how controlling abusers can be, and the never-ending techniques they use to abuse and control people in their lives. It is startling to read these extensive lists and recognise such experiences in your own life. Whilst the topic is emotionally overwhelming, Jean's approachable nature is viable through her words. A message of unity and love against abusers is palpable throughout the text.

I truly appreciate the lengths to which Jean has used her own experiences and research to compile such a book. She has provided real life examples of abusive control and has broken down the abuser's psyche to demonstrate why they have a pathological need to hurt people. In Breaking Free, Jean has also tackled the myths surrounding abuse and the importance of dismantling these damaging assumptions that are so common. 

Whilst the topic is difficult to encounter for some, I deeply stress the need for open conversations on what abuse looks like and what is does to us. Jean's provision of practical advice and strategies helps start such a conversation, to which I am thankful. I have seldom spoken about my personal experiences of abuse, even with my most trusted friends, and I think some of my apprehension exists because there is no clear starting point for such a conversation. Jean's book, however, provides the opportunity to analyse abusive behaviours and accept the fact that they are not normal. Oftentimes, victims of abuse can excuse abusive behaviours as a means of self-preservation, and they can struggle to see an opening to their escape. I believe this book allows such people to truly analyse the life they are living and begin to question the abuse they are experiencing, and ultimately take the leap and tell someone about it.

The first step is always the hardest, but it is also the most important step to take. I deeply empathise with the fear of speaking up, but our own voices are what will ultimately save us. Breaking Free is about that - taking back control and deciding to seek help for our own sake.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, in whatever form, I urge you to seek help. You do not have to live a life of abuse. If you are based in the UK, a list of services are provided here for support.

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Zack

*Kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review. 

Remembering a Bloody Empire

 

Remembrance Day glorifies a bloody empire. For that reason, I will never wear a poppy. It is that simple. It is not to remember the soldiers that died fighting fascism, like some may claim. The British government has to completely denounce the actions carried out by the empire and apologise to those that suffered. Only then can we move forward.

Unfortunately, many across this island do not see the empire as a bloody, genocidal empire, which it was. Look at the crimes it committed. The people that suffered under the fist of white supremacy. The effects of the empire can still be seen today. Many of the countries ruled by the empire still has a large population living in deep poverty. Many backward laws were put in place by the empire. The British can’t look at themselves as holier than thou, when they enforced the laws condemning people to a life of suffering across the world.

International Workers Day

Today, on Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember all the people who have lost their lives working in poor conditions, whilst being under paid. Under the current climate, with the coronavirus, todays remembrance is with a much heavier heart, as we have lost many, especially those working in the healthcare industry. These people are battling a deadly virus with little PPE, whilst being underpaid and undervalued.

Friday will be International Workers Day. A celebration for all workers around the world. To celebrate and respect the struggle of the working class. It is a day of togetherness, where people from all over the world bond and show their solidarity for each other. Unfortunately, this year the celebrations will be subdued. However, it is the perfect time for us to reflect on workers’ rights.

Mental Health Amongst South Asians

Now that we have settled into quarantine life, the toll it has had on many of our mental state has become apparent. Mental health has been one aspect of human mechanism that is constantly undervalued and forgotten about. For too long it has not been seen as something that needs the utmost care and support, especially if a person does suffer from mental illnesses. Being a Doctor of the mind is not seen as the same as a Doctor of Human anatomy, even though both take care and improve our lives. One is seen as a great service, whilst the other is just a high paying job. The constant overlooking of a persons mental state is something I have found very strange, especially amongst South Asian and Muslim communities.

South Asians relation with mental health is a very confusing one. From the outside it may look like something we deeply care about. We are one of the most spiritual people in the world. All of the major religions of that region promote meditation and focuses on improving a person’s mindset. Yoga originated in India. Meditation is a big part of Hinduism and Buddhism. Muslims perform Salah five times a day and carry out Dhikr on a daily basis. All of these helps improve a person’s mindset, separating a person from the outside world and focuses on improving the spiritual side of a person. Nonetheless, even with all spirituality of the region, mental health is still seen as a taboo subject.

Protect the NHS

I want to start this post by showing my gratitude to all the NHS staffs who are risking their lives by fighting on the frontline to save lives. Every single one of you are heroes. The NHS is the best thing about this country, and you all are great ambassador. You’re the reason why we must all fight and protect the NHS. I also want to say thank you to all essential workers who are keeping us fed and keeping this country running. Without you we would all be starving, and society would’ve collapsed.

Couple of months ago, before everything went mad, I wanted to write a post regarding ‘unskilled’ workers. Under Brexit Britain, the government laid out their plans of what they considered unskilled jobs. The term itself I have an issue with. No jobs are unskilled. It does not exist. Every job is skilled. If a job were to be unskilled, anyone without any prior knowledge and training would be able to do it, without inputting their own skills. However, the government decided this would be based on salary and like all things it came down to money.

Stay Home, Save Lives. Save Yourself.

I’ll preface this with the fact that I’ve been in ‘quarantine’ for quite a while now. My university classes were officially cancelled from 11/03 roughly, and I’ve only left the house a handful of times for essentials (food shopping and picking up prescriptions). It’s been a few days since I’ve left the house though, besides stepping into the garden for a moment the other day. As an agoraphobe with Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD), I’m not one to venture outside the house much anyway, but without the routine of university it’s been especially difficult. I also haven't proof-read this post yet, so please excuse any glaring errors. 

My point is, this post concerns the difficulties I’m facing as a person with multiple illnesses, mental and physical, and whilst I can be transparent about the implications of my quarantine experience, I stand by my decision to isolate and urge others to do the same. It’s the only feasible way to truly limit the spread of Covid-19, and I refuse to participate in the selfish antics of those who are actively evading isolation for entertainment. I am also perfectly valid in expressing my difficulties during these times and I affirm that my mental health is as important as my physical health. I also acknowledge that staying in isolation is me doing my part to keep others safe. Solidarity to those who are in isolation and struggling immensely, like myself. Solidarity to those who can't isolate due to working for survival, especially those in healthcare and sex work. Solidarity to the homeless and to LGBTQ+ people who are in unsafe spaces, yet in quarantine.

Lack Of Community

Coronavirus has exposed our society for what it really is. A bunch of selfish individuals who only care about themselves. From government officials to ordinary citizens, people are acting in their own self-interest, without thinking about others, even for a second.

This virus has led to a hysteria due to the lack of knowledge of what is to come. The government has to take responsibility for that. Panic buying has been the result of the lack of information being sent out by the government. People don’t know what the plan is and how we are going to over come this suffering. As a result, people are assuming we will also follow countries like China and Italy by implementing domestic lockdown. However, from the information the government has sent out, this is far from the truth. That still does not answer the question regarding how we will overcome this virus. 

Toxic Masculinity and A Bit of Kindness

Caroline Flack's sudden death has unsettled many of us. Personally, I've never known much about her, as I hardly watch television or keep up with reality shows. Her upcoming trial caught my eye though, as she had allegedly assaulted her partner, Lewis Burton. Flack apparently struck him with a lamp as he slept, leaving the bed sheets soaked with blood. It turned out to be Flack's own blood coating the sheets, yet the incident, like few others in the public eye, shed light on the underrepresented victims of domestic violence: men  

Hypermasculinity and stigmatisation of domestic violence sufferers, particularly men, has clouded our society for some time. The narrative has always assumed men to be the perpetrators and women the victims, leaving no room for the possibility that men suffer due to domestic violence too. I refuse to reduce the suffering of women in these conditions, I resonate with this on a personal level - yet I struggle to remove Flack's apparently pervasive addition to the rhetoric that men can't be abused. Burton was indeed attacked - not to the extent that it was portrayed - yet this was burrowed under her suicide. 

I won't provide any personal speculation relating to Flack's suicide. Multiple reasons often merge into something major, finally leading to someone's end, and it would be fruitless to ponder. Rather, the response to her death has agitated me, and I'd like to rant about that later.

Rejecting Neo-liberalism

Once again the Left are fighting corruption, the media and the establishment. This time it is Bernie’s bid to become the Democratic presidential candidate. He is the only person who has a chance of beating Trump.

For a long time, politics was in a really boring place. Wherever you looked, whether it was on the “left or right”, most politicians held similar ideas and ideologies. It is why people often said, “it doesn’t matter who wins because they’re all the same.” Essentially, they were all the same. They had some small differences in policies, to keep hold of their roots, such as the left would invest more into the public sector. Ultimately, both side believed in neo-liberalism.

My Anxious Life

This post is going to be so embarrassing. These are some stories from my life. I am trying to show what it feels like living with social anxiety. To many, these situations may be normal, but for me these end up being absolute hell.

Living with anxiety is so weird. Something so small and simple can be a whole journey in itself. Every public encounter has to be meticulously planned and prepared for, even if I do it daily. It does get easier with repetition, but then one day there might be a change that can absolutely throw you off, which can cause all sorts of problems.

Hoarding Feelings and Junk as a Borderline

Surprisingly, it took me a while to figure out why my home - particularly my room - was slowly becoming a more suffocating space to live in. Self-care of any kind tends to go out the window when I'm excessively depressed (of which the curtains never move, as I despise natural sunlight, because that equates to the outside) and so the space begins to represent a miniature landfill site. It isn't strewn with litter, no. I have some empty jars I clean out and keep, because I could use them for something, surely, but besides that there isn't much actual 'trash'. 

Rather, I end up with a collection of sentimental artifacts which should technically go in the bin, but I can't bare to part with them. A lot of it is scrap bits of pretty wrapping paper, cutouts and posters. They form various gargantuan piles. I could use them for art, art I will never create. Alongside these are papers from university, namely some poetry I felt the need to hold onto, or some old philosophical essays I probably won't read again but I enjoyed it so much I must hold onto it. Books I buy, read once, and never again, sit on my bookshelf. I can't read them again because it hurts too much. Feelings infiltrate every page and I want to avoid them. Avoidance is key when it comes to emotions, because apparently pretending something doesn't exist makes everything better. (Newsflash: it doesn't.) 

[Don't] Lose Yourself

One of my classes, Benjamin and Adorno, focuses on the era of Enlightenment, which was succeeded by 19^th century Romanticism. Romanticism is one of my absolute favourite eras to explore within literature, and I might write about a few particular poems in future, but today I wanted to look into an aspect of Enlightenment we covered in class today: nature. This post will probably be nonsensical and personal, as I connect elements of the subject to my own life in a way that barely serves any purpose.

The topic, Enlightenment versus Romanticism was introduced with an overview of Benjamin’s The Concept of Criticism in German Romanticism, a hefty read detailing the significance of reflection upon reflection upon reflection of art, which forms the basis of art. As we encounter art, we devise a reflection of that piece; this reflection is followed by another reflection, and the cycle continues limitlessly. The infinite nature of reflection is therefore an act, according to Fichte, to which we can attribute a conscious awareness. Its infinite nature is also apparent in the number of objects we observe; each different object will have its own various reflections, rendering the cycle unending. I resonate with this pervasive thought of reflection, as do so many others, in the form of overthinking. How many of us overthink into the night, dampening our own sorrows by focusing on sad memories and anxiety-inducing fears? It gets tiring, fast.

Bella Ciao

As we remember the victims of the Holocaust, we must never forget the events that took place that led to one of the most brutal regimes in history. We must implement the lessons from Germany between the years of 1918 and 1945, as well as the failures of the rest of the world, whose lack of actions allowed such a brutal regime to take over.

The best way to remember the victims are through our actions. The fight against fascism is a never ending one. It did not end in 1945. It has continued to this day. We are clearly seeing a rise in far-right and fascist activity, all across the globe. Whether it is in the UK, America or India, there are many within our governments that want to supress the rights of minorities. At the moment, they are winning.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I was on hiatus given the stress of university, my personal life and general mental health deterioration, so I felt a break was much needed. Now that I’m back, I hope to post more regularly. 

I have mad appreciation for Alehafor continuing to run the blog alone whilst I was gone. He’s been researching and posting tirelessly, as well as continuing to run our Twitter; I appreciate him so much. Please check out his posts and give them some love. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for regular updates – our handle is @ZackhiWrites. 

I’ll be posting later this week so do look out for my update. 

Zack

MLK – Working Class Revolutionary

“In a sense, you could say we’re involved in the class struggle.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we recognise one of the greatest men of the 20th century. Martin Luther King Jr, an activist whose speech changed the history of the most powerful nation in the world. His speech, etched into the minds and history of human beings, spread around the global, in the fight for equality. The words “I had a dream” will go down as one of the most important speeches of all time, not just in American history, but in the history of Humankind.

The Royal Feud

Whats going on with Meghan Markle and the Blood fami… I mean, Royal family is more than just an in-family feud, but a representation of British society. The Royal family representing British society? Not something I thought I would ever say. In fact, the way this has all played out clearly shows the racism problem in Britain.

This is not a pro-Meghan or pro-Queen argument. I don’t like either. Why should a person be given a high status for being born or marrying into a family? Also, I won’t forgot how, for her wedding, they cleared out homeless, like they are trash on the floor. However, on this issue, I stand with Meghan, as do many people of colour. It is to do with the treatment Meghan receives because of the colour of her skin. People of colour have to stand in line and do as they’re told. The moment they start expressing their views and start to defend themselves, that is when the problems arise.

Westernised Iran

Iran’s modern history is a fascinating one. Problems currently faced in Iran are the result of the political actions and decisions carried out during the 20th century by Iranians and by foreign powers. If they want to move forward as a country, the changes that needs implementing have to be done in the interest of themselves, without any interference from foreign powers.

Iran has never had a good balance between living in a society for Muslims, and a “modern” society. It is possible for Muslims to live in a modern society. Remember, Muslims were at the forefront of science and technology, until the 20th century. During much of this period, it was the Muslim world that was regarded as “modern and forward thinking”. So, what changed? Why is the Muslim world now regarded as “backwards”? One major impact was the influence the British empire had on the region, which depleted and destroyed much of its resources and stifled forward thinking ideas. This led to a decline in the way of life, in many Muslim states. Another big factor was American imperialism, which looked to profit off the resources in the region, through wars and violence. Whenever a state did try to “modernise”, it was always at the expense of the way of life of Muslims, by implementing “Americanism”. It is impossible to implement ideologies and cultures from another part of the world on another country, and they will always fight back.

By Any Means Necessary

Racism is back in the news with the comments made by Stormzy, which was followed by racist abuse suffered by Chelsea player Rudiger. Whenever racism is discussed, there is a lot of finger pointing, and finding short-terms solutions, for a problem that has been around for decades. Of course, there’s been progress, compared to the 20th, 19th, 18th century etc. However, the events of the last decade has shown there has been a massive step backwards, with racism and hate crimes on the rise.

So how do we tackle racism and aim to eradicate this disease. Well we have to look at institutional racism. Unless we tackle institutional racism, we will continue living in a loop of progress and regress. What exactly is institutional racism? This is racism that is in the foundations of our society. Institutions like our politics, media, judiciary system, education etc. Unless we tackle racism in all of our institutions, we will not be able to eradicate racism. Racism will continue, and racist will be able to spread their hateful words and ideologies to others, especially to the future generations.