Omar Farhad

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

Honor and Polygamy is a debut novel by Omar Farhad. It tells the story of an American UN employee who has just returned from his 4th overseas posting to Afghanistan when he's ordered back again. He hates to leave his wife and 2 children again so soon.

Nick is abducted and held prisoner by the Taliban and eventually escapes to seek asylum with a local family under the Pashtun code of honor. In order to protect Nick, his host and the villagers from the Taliban, Nick is forced to marry a second wife, the young daughter of his host. He eventually falls in love with her.

Nick is rescued and returns to New York but his reconciliation with his family goes slowly. It was a rather startling development when he leaves his wife and kids to go back to Afghanistan to find and bring his second wife back to the U.S. This decision results in an abrupt and brutal ending.

I found the storyline quite inventive, but the writing just isn't up to scratch. The narrative is in present tense while Nick's thoughts are written in a very stilted voice that I found irritating.

After his abduction by the Taliban Nick realistically lacks confidence but his thoughts seem naive for someone who's had previous work experience in these war torn countries.

Also, much of the political exposition seems immature and simplistic, like something written by a high school student.

By the end, I felt let down with Honor and Polygamy and was gritting my teeth to finish the book. The writer needs to get some honest professional feedback and polish his writing skills in order to tell this worthwhile story with drama and impact.… (more)

Nick Blake, working for the United Nations, had just returned to New York five weeks before, after spending six months in Afghanistan. His immediate supervisor and liaison for Afghan affairs, Bob Welch, calls Nick requesting he return to Afghanistan because his co-worker, Patrick, bowed out due to a family emergency. Nick has to leave in two weeks for another six months in Afghanistan. Nick and his wife, Lisa, hate even the thought of it.

Nick made it to Khandahar Air Field, but didn’t make his connecting flight to Kabul because, his friend, Charlie, took him to meet some contacts. Charlie and two others were killed; Nick was captured by the Taliban. Now, no one knows where he is – at least not right away. His captors, especially Molawee Abdul Satar, think Nick would be valuable to the US government. They tape him and place it on the internet; they wait for someone to claim him.

Overtime, Nick has a chance to view his surroundings and make a plan. When he manages to escape, he runs to one of the houses in the distance. He asks for Nanawatai (asylum). He seeks asylum from Gulbaz, who brings Nick into his home. Nick can stay in the guest room, separate from the main house. Unfortunately, Molawee isn’t giving up; Gulbaz gets caught up in the matter and seeks an elder’s advice. Nick needs to become a member of Gulbaz family; marry Gulbaz’ sixteen year old daughter, Shaista.

Time drags on. Nick begins to accept his life with Gulbaz and Shaista. He is finally rescued, but he can’t cope. He begins to prefer his compelled marriage to Shaista as opposed to his family – his marriage of eight years to Lisa and their children. Once home, he plans to return for Shaista.

I almost see a Stockholm syndrome set in. He could no longer communicate with Lisa and the children. I felt such frustration for all parties. It’s not a fairy-tale story. You may read it to the end, but the story will stay with you for a long time after. About half way into the book, the writing took on a very simplistic style for a while. I’m not sure if this was done purposely or what it may have been to convey. This is Omar Farhad’s debut novel. He has lived in Afghanistan as well as in the United States. I have every reason to believe the descriptions are real. I rated Honor and Polygamy at 4 out of 5.

http://www.fictionzeal.com/honor-polygamy-omar-farhad/… (more)