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A review by raforall
Midnight Doorways: Fables from Pakistan by Usman T. Malik
5.0
STAR review in the January 2021 issue of Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?reviewDetail=midnight-doorways-fables-from-pakistan
Three Words That Describe This Book: dark magic, unsettling, beautiful
Draft Review:
Malik, a dual Pakistani and American citizen, was a name found most often on library shelves spread throughout the table of contents of Ellen Datlow’s award winning anthologies, but now readers can get seven of his stories collected into one beautiful volume, accompanied by original illustrations by Pakistani artists. While these thought provoking tales range from slightly askew to unsettling to all out frightening, all are imbued with a dark magic that captivates as they unsettle. Whether readers are introduced to a city that appears out of nowhere and the very real consequences of its arrival, a haunted orphanage filled with bird cages, or a mystical story attempting to find peace for the victims of terrorism, these character centered tales with engaging narrators provide an eerie and entertaining window to a whole new world of horror. Verdict: This collection by a rising star in horror, harkens back to classic anthologies by the likes of Poe or Doyle but with a voice that represents the rich storytelling traditions of Pakistan. For fans of dark fantasy and horror while framed and informed by the author’s identity resonates universal fears such as Stephen Graham Jones, S. A. Chakraborty, and Marlon James.
Three Words That Describe This Book: dark magic, unsettling, beautiful
Draft Review:
Malik, a dual Pakistani and American citizen, was a name found most often on library shelves spread throughout the table of contents of Ellen Datlow’s award winning anthologies, but now readers can get seven of his stories collected into one beautiful volume, accompanied by original illustrations by Pakistani artists. While these thought provoking tales range from slightly askew to unsettling to all out frightening, all are imbued with a dark magic that captivates as they unsettle. Whether readers are introduced to a city that appears out of nowhere and the very real consequences of its arrival, a haunted orphanage filled with bird cages, or a mystical story attempting to find peace for the victims of terrorism, these character centered tales with engaging narrators provide an eerie and entertaining window to a whole new world of horror. Verdict: This collection by a rising star in horror, harkens back to classic anthologies by the likes of Poe or Doyle but with a voice that represents the rich storytelling traditions of Pakistan. For fans of dark fantasy and horror while framed and informed by the author’s identity resonates universal fears such as Stephen Graham Jones, S. A. Chakraborty, and Marlon James.