Reviewer: David Dwyer
Journal: The Rest Journal: Journal of Politics and Development
Publication Date: 4 February 2023
External Review
This review of The Lone Leopard by Dr Sharifullah Dorani was originally published in The Rest Journal: Journal of Politics and Development. A short excerpt and summary are presented here for readers of this website.
Key Comment
“The Lone Leopard is a powerful book that tells a story I will never forget. It is an emotional roller coaster and an eye-opener, with the potential to become a classic over time.”
Summary of the Review
The reviewer praises The Lone Leopard as a well-researched historical novel that immerses readers in Afghanistan’s complex cultural, ethnic, and political landscape. Following the protagonist Ahmad, the story spans the Afghan Civil War after the collapse of the Najibullah regime through Ahmad’s return to Afghanistan in 2013. Through Ahmad’s journey, Dorani explores the struggles of ordinary Afghans against the backdrop of foreign influence, tribal rivalries, and shifting cultural values.
The review highlights Dorani’s ability to present historical events through personal experiences, giving readers insight into the impacts of foreign intervention, internal divisions, and the clash between traditional and modern ideas. The character of Frishta, known as the “Lone Leopard,” is noted for her courage and advocacy of women’s education and rights, illustrating the aspirations of Afghans for progress within a traditional society.
David Dwyer concludes that The Lone Leopard offers readers a vivid and deeply human portrayal of Afghanistan’s recent history. The novel is described as an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand Afghan society from a ground-level perspective and is suggested as suitable for university courses on Afghanistan, South Asia, and the broader Middle East.
➡ Read the full review: Book Review: The Lone Leopard
*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.