In Phantoms of August, Mashrur Arefin crafts a haunting, philosophical novel that bridges history, literature, and the surreal. With Arunava Sinha’s translation, the tale of an unnamed narrator’s quest for truth behind Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination becomes a feverish exploration of reality, memory, and morality.For those ready to question history’s deepest horrors, this book is a recommended read.
Is Phantoms of August a masterpiece?
In modern fiction, Phantoms of August rises as bold, unorthodox, and intensely introspective. Imagine walking through Dhaka’s restless streets, whispering with ghosts of the past, as the narrator confronts assassins, existential dilemmas, and his entanglements with women who embody luxury and devotion.
Arefin's writing holds the essence of Kafkaesque unease and Joycean stream-of-consciousness while being rooted in the political soul of Bangladesh. The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, often referred to as the Bangabandhu or Friend of Bengal, becomes a symbol of the cyclic violence in human society.
The narrative flits between Kathmandu and Dhaka’s urban chaos, blurring the lines between dreams and reality. Arefin’s poetic language ensures that each page feels surreal.
Also Read: Ramayana in Indonesia: A Timeless Epic across Borders
Who is the narrator, and why should you care?
The unnamed narrator emerges as a flawed anti-hero, driven by a quasi-obsessive need to understand and avenge the past. His musings meander through his relationships with women like Surabhi in Nepal and his student Mehernaz in Bangladesh—figures of wealth and mystery who offer companionship but complicate his moral compass.
Cover illustration by Prabha Mallya
Cover design by Ahlawat Gunjan
Through this lens, Arefin critiques the socio-political intricacies of Bangladesh, a country grappling with loyalty, betrayal, and a fractured sense of identity. The narrator’s obsession is not limited to Mujibur Rahman’s legacy—it extends to understanding humanity’s penchant for self-destruction.
Editor's Pick: The Odyssey by Homer, Translated by E.V. Rieu: A book review
What themes haunt this story?
History as a repeating nightmare
Bangladesh’s turbulent past looms large. Arefin looks into the nature of power struggles and public memory.At the heart of Phantoms of August lies the notion that history is unrelenting in its ability to repeat itself. The novel anchors itself in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which becomes both a literal and metaphorical ghost haunting the nation. Arefin questions whether humanity ever truly learns from its past, or if we are doomed to relive the same tragedies with new actors and settings.
The novel doesn’t just present historical events; it dissects the motivations behind them. The conspirators who orchestrated Rahman’s death are not portrayed as outliers but as extensions of a society complicit in violence. The narrator reflects:
“Men who wield swords find their sharpest edge in the silence of those who should speak.”
This reminder implicates not just the assassins but also a passive society. As the narrator hunts down the surviving conspirators, he grapples with whether justice is possible or if the sins of history are destined to remain unatoned.
The Individual vs. Collective Guilt
Women as mirrors of wealth and desire
Dreams and reality
Few novels blur the line between dreams and reality as seamlessly as Phantoms of August. The narrator’s hallucinations often feel more vivid than his waking moments, creating a dreamscape where time and space collapse. Dhaka’s bustling streets transform into haunted corridors.
This disjointed narrative style mirrors the fractured psyche of the narrator, who is both a seeker of truth and a prisoner of his own mind. Readers are forced to question the reliability of his perspective:
“What is real if not the shadow cast by our dreams? And what are dreams if not echoes of our forgotten realities?”
The hallucinatory quality of the novel invites comparisons to Franz Kafka and Haruki Murakami, yet Arefin’s voice remains distinct. His portrayal of a psyche unraveling under the weight of history and guilt is visceral, making the reader feel both disoriented and mesmerised.
Justice vs. vengeance
Perhaps the most haunting theme in the novel is the tension between justice and vengeance. The narrator’s quest to hunt down the assassins who killed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman raises moral dilemmas. Is he seeking justice for a nation, or is his mission a deeply personal act of vengeance?
This theme is particularly poignant given Bangladesh’s history, where cycles of violence have often masqueraded as justice. The narrator himself acknowledges the futility of vengeance in one of the book’s lines:
“You cannot rewrite history with a bullet, only add another page to its bloody ledger.”
Yet, the desire for retribution remains a potent force driving him forward, highlighting the universal human struggle between moral ideals and primal instincts.
These themes collectively create a narrative that is not just a story but a reflection on the human condition. Phantoms of August asks readers to confront uncomfortable truths about history, guilt, and the fragile line between justice and revenge, making it a thought-provoking read.
What is the most powerful quote in the book?
“Justice is a mirage, and history a cemetery of unmarked graves. What we seek is neither; what we find is only the phantom of our desire.”
This observation lingers long after the final page.
Is this novel a timely release?
Coincidentally, in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina and her sister were forced into exile amidst political unrest in Bangladesh, evoking eerie parallels to the 1975 assassination of their father. The nature of history that Phantoms of August explores seems more relevant than ever. Is that why August 2024 saw their departure again, with Statues of their dead father being mutilated instead. The home looted once again.
This historical backdrop sharpens the book’s urgency and makes it resonate globally. Bangladesh, a nation that has shifted alliances—be it the British, Pakistan, or India—remains emblematic of a fractured identity.
How does this book compare to bestsellers of 2024?
While Phantoms of August offers a deeply philosophical and political narrative, here are five 2024 Indian bestsellers it stands alongside:
- The Last Tale of Shiva by Meera Iyer: A mythological retelling of forgotten tales from Hindu lore.
- Where the Soul Rests by Anuradha Roy: A poetic journey through grief and resilience.
- Eternal Ashes by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: A feminist reimagining of Draupadi’s untold sacrifices.
- The Midnight Scrolls by R. Rajagopalan: A political thriller set in contemporary India.
- Home Beyond Borders by Jhumpa Lahiri: An anthology of stories exploring migration and belonging.
Who should gift this novel?
This is a perfect Diwali gift for those who love thought-provoking fiction. I recommended it on this site as one of the Six Books to Gift this Diwali 2024 by Tushar Mangl . The prose, political depth, and philosophical undertones make it ideal for intellectual readers and history buffs.
Why is this a must-read for 2024?
This novel challenges our understanding of justice, history, and the human psyche. Mashrur Arefin emerges as a powerful voice, and Arunava Sinha’s translation ensures this Bengali story reaches a global audience.
A note on Bangladesh’s ever-shifting loyalties
It perplexes me. This region was the first to welcome the East India Company, then the British Monarchy, and even the Indian Congress. After that, they shifted towards Jinnah and joined Pakistan. Fair enough. Then they decided they didn’t like Pakistan, so they took help from India and gained independence. Fine.
Then they killed their own President for being pro-India and anti-Pakistan. To this day, they glorify the murderous onslaught. They even made the daughter of one of the conspirators their Prime Minister. In the middle of this history, they suddenly rediscovered loyalty toward the murdered Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, their first President.
Thus, his daughter—spared from being killed because she was abroad during the bloodlust—was made the leader of Bangladesh. She ruled for a long time until Bangladeshis turned on her and her family again. It’s as if they suddenly remembered, Weren’t we supposed to have killed her along with her sisters-in-law, brothers, mother, and father? Oops, we forgot.
So, they decided to bring Zia’s daughter back instead. Unfinished business?
I have never understood Bangladeshi voters. Perhaps they are as opportunistic as the rest of us in different parts of the world. Look at me rambling—it is all the effects of this novel. It has got my gray cells distorted and buzzing.
FAQs About Phantoms of August
What genre does the book belong to?
Is the book suitable for beginners?
What inspired the novel?
Are the characters based on real people?
Where can I buy it?
Written by Tushar Mangl, energy healer, speaker, and author of The Avenging Act and Hey Honey Bunch. He writes on books, investments, mental health, and a greener society.
What are you currently reading? Have you read Phantoms of August? Share your thoughts below!
Comments