‘The Mind of Q’ launched at Kuch Khaas


Maha Mussadaq July 04, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The launch of Khadija Khan’s debut novel, The Mind of Q, was held at Kuch Khaas on Saturday evening.

Kishwar Naheed, prominent Urdu poet and a guest speaker at the launch, introduced the book. She said Khan had started a new trend, which was different from what other young Pakistan writers were doing. While Fatima Bhutto and Kamila Shamsi were more focused on politics and Karachi, respectively, Khan’s book delves into psychopathology and development of characters, Naheed added.

Khadija Khan, a resident of Islamabad and graduate of the University of London, started writing the book at the age of 19 and finished it by the time she was 21.

However, it took another two years before the book was published. Her young age made it particularly hard for her to find a willing publisher. She wanted a national publisher and approached Alhamra Publishing, based in Islamabad and Bertem, Belgium. They initially showed interest in the book, before backing out after they found out her age. “Their attitude changed completely and they said they cannot publish my book,” Khan said.

“This is why I now have an international publisher, because Americans are more open-minded about these things,” she explained. Her book is being published by the North Carolina-based Lulu Publishers.

The Mind of Q is a psychological thriller centred on Questa, an extremist, who one day abandons her surroundings and seeks refuge in the wilderness of an island. However, just when the beauty of the island begins to console her unsettled state of mind, trouble comes her way. She encounters a man who is mentally unstable, and finds herself strangely drawn to him. She decides to help him overcome his illness, unaware that it is he who will end up teaching her the lesson of a lifetime.

Khan said her inspiration behind the novel stems from the things she felt she wanted to “get rid of”. She added,”You will see me in the characters Questa and Abraham.”

Shama Nawaz Khan, an English literature professor, said: “[The novel] is reflective of the protagonist’s life, which is cemented as the novel progresses, but shattered into a million pieces when the mask of illusion lifts.”

Khadija Khan still cannot believe that her book has been launched. “Twelve days ago, I did not even have a venue for the launch,” she said, adding: “Kuch Khaas helped me a lot.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2010.

COMMENTS (7)

Shirmeen Malik | 13 years ago | Reply I finished the novel in two days straight and I cant believe we have so much talent here in Pakistan!..I cudnt put it down..SUPERB JOB!..this novel has amazing vocabulary and a fascinating plot..Khadija ur better than most acclaimed writers I have read..and ur characters really know how to converse with the audience..you're younger than me and iv bin wanting to write for years and even i dont possess such maturity to express like dat..I dont think it really matters where the book got published from as long as it got published and has made its mark as a much acclaimed Novel!..Congratulations for making it this far and I cant wait for ur next one..Cheers
Mohammad Usman | 13 years ago | Reply i could go on for pages, but i'll keep it brief, i finished the book, it ws AWESOME!part 2 was awesome! kept me hanging on for the answers! excellent stuff! i related to the themes in it more than i thought i could, it was really well constructed, and came together perfectly!!! I'm so happy! lol =D hope to see more of your outstanding work soon. YOU ROCK! =D take care!!
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ