The novel Our Tainted Souls by Minaal Khan paints a vivid picture of the reality of living in contemporary Pakistan

Termed as “A story for our times,” by acclaimed author Awais Khan, the novel Our Tainted Souls by Minaal Maan is based a story that tackles some of the key issues that plague our society today. The novel delves into the harsh reality of what it is like to live in modern-day Pakistan while trying to navigate the undeniable tests and difficulties that arise. The author shows what it is like to be part of a system that fosters prejudice and bias while trying to reclaim one’s own identity and purpose.

The novel takes you on a journey from the glittering glass structures of Lahore to rural Punjab and carefully weaves a tale of hope, optimism, triumph and perseverance. ‘Our Tainted Souls’ takes two people from opposite ends of the social spectrum to show us the world through their eyes. This is a world where everything is not as it seems to be and where the internal struggle to be the kind of person one wants to be is a complex one, marred with obstacles that are put there to benefit only the few.

Through her characters, the author explores the ideas of inequality, family ties and fighting your inner demons to become the kind of person that you can be proud of. The choices that her characters are presented with are not easy and she skillfully portrays their inner struggle while crafting a story that is bound to stay with the reader for a long time to come.

The plot revolves around two main characters, Ahmed and Seher, both of whom come from very different worlds but share the same inner conflicts. Ahmed is the only offspring of an influential politician who is corrupt to the core. He possesses everything except for personal freedom, and he longs to be different. His ideals clash with those of his father, opening the door for conflict more often than not. Seher belongs to Zaleemabad, a village close to Lahore, and is also stuck in a metaphorical cage of prejudices and pretentious ideals. Being coerced into a marriage to a man she loathes is what finally drives her to want to change her life. She has always questioned the rigid norms set out by society and yearns to escape from the shackles of the patriarchal culture of her village.

Both of these characters then set out on separate journeys of self- discovery and have to conquer several obstacles before that can happen. Their determination with a positive outlook is what makes the reader root for them till the very end. One fact that is profoundly echoed throughout the story is that we each are on our own personal journeys and must choose to make our own happy endings happen rather than depending on anyone else. The author shows this through Seher as she navigates through her life, making choices that will determine her future rather than waiting for someone to do it for her. Seher questions everything she has ever been told about the world and thinks about the reasoning rather than continuing to believe in it blindly.

Another topic that the author explores is that of dowry. A long practiced tradition when it comes to marriages, Minaal Maan rightfully questions the legitimacy of the tradition through Seher as she is enraged at the idea of people judging a family with regards to the dowry they give. The larger the dowry, the more respect was given to the family of the bride. It was directly linked to the honour of women, and at some point became the means to preserve a new bride’s honour. Seher, blessed with the power of common sense, questions this outdated tradition. She also questions the idea of misusing religion to justify all sorts of brutal claims and traditions by people who would ironically only use it to benefit themselves rather than looking at the bigger picture.

Through Ahmed we see a side of Lahore that is not too different from the villages on its outskirts. People are bound by the same things; family loyalty, money and the prejudices and hypocrisy displayed by the city’s inhabitants. In this environment, someone who wants to be a better person and is hell-bent on creating change around him is bound by his family and, more importantly, their lust for power. The author also portrays the idea of power and how it corrupts the very essence of our being through characters such as Ahmed’s parents and grandfather. We see exactly how deep-rooted their ideals are and how much these ideals impact everyone around them. The author explores the idea of redemption through Ahmed and shows that it is possible since he decides to leave all that he has learned behind and in an attempt to change himself.

In ‘Our Tainted Souls,’ we see the result of generational wealth of the filthy rich and their utter carelessness towards the impact of their exhibitionism. We see how their lives are superficial and empty yet are portrayed as glamorous. The symbolism throughout the story is another treat for readers. The smog that envelopes Lahore represents the vile thoughts and ideals of its people and shows how their prejudices and biases help hide the truth. The absence of the fog when Seher enters Lahore can be interpreted as hope. The elm tree in Seher’s house that refuses to die even after numerous storms represents her determination to survive and the idea that no matter what life throws at her she still manages to stand up.

The author Minaal Maan is also gifted at writing descriptions. Her vivid illustrations of Lahore as well as the streets and fields of Zaleemabad truly make the reader feel as though they are seeing it all unfold before them. Dark, brutal, but hopeful nonetheless, Our Tainted Souls is truly a mirror to the society we live in and paints a vivid picture of the reality of living in contemporary Pakistan.