Reviewer: Jeyran Main
Website: Review Tales
Publication Date: 5 February 2023
Photo credit: Army Amber/ Pixabay
External Review
This review of The Lone Leopard by Dr Sharifullah Dorani was originally published on Review Tales and Goodreads. A summary is offered here for readers of this website.
Key Comment
“A thought-provoking and engaging story, with characters whose dynamic brings the narrative together.”
Summary of the Review
The reviewer presents The Lone Leopard as an engaging work of historical fiction set in 1992, centred on Ahmad, a traditional 15-year-old Pashtun, and Frishta, a 16-year-old outspoken advocate for women’s rights. Their first meeting is unusual, yet it develops into a meaningful friendship shaped by their contrasting beliefs and backgrounds.
The review highlights that the novel goes beyond a simple love story, revealing deeper truths about identity, loyalty, and the pressures of a country in turmoil. While noting that the cover design may not fully reflect the content, the reviewer praises the interior structure and writing style, describing the narrative as thoughtful, compelling, and emotionally resonant.
The interaction between the two main characters is singled out as one of the book’s strengths, bringing the broader historical context to life through personal experience. The reviewer concludes with a clear recommendation for readers of historical fiction.
➡ Read the full review: The Lone Leopard by Sharifullah Dorani (Book Review #1404)
*Dr Sharifullah Dorani holds a PhD from Durham University on America’s Afghanistan War, a Master of Laws from University College London, and a degree in law from the University of Northampton, all in the UK. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and two acclaimed books: The Lone Leopard, a novel set in Afghanistan, and America in Afghanistan, published by Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the founder of CEPSAF and serves as the South Asia and Middle Eastern Editor at CESRAN International. All of Dr Dorani’s work is written to the highest academic standards and is widely indexed through Google Scholar.