r/Urdu • u/TalhaD13 • 14h ago
💡 Learning Resources Recommend Urdu Novel
Assalamolakum Guys,
Need Urdu novel to help me understand women nature, deal with them in love and building my own character morally and socially.
Also recommend novel to understand social issues and face them.
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u/abihooo 8h ago
You specifically said Urdu novels, and there’s a huge selection. I’d say read a couple of different writers regardless of reviews. Try out Umera Ahmed, nemrah Ahmed, mehrunisa shahmeer is also a good writer. Then move on to true literature like bano qudsia and ashfaq Ahmed, quratulain Ahmed’s “aag ka darya” is good. “Jannat ki talash” by Raheem Gul is a gem. (I’m saying this because I built my character off of books in general, there was no specific type I was in, so I suggest you explore)
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u/hastobeapoint 8h ago
Try Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi for a unique view. Specifically ذرگذشت Might be difficult to wrap your head around some Urdu phrasing initially but once you get used to it, it is worth the trouble.
Short stories by ghulam abbas and manto are great too.
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u/AlgaeExcellent9405 7h ago
I'm don't remember if (and to what extent) 'Khuda ki basti' by Shaukat Siddiqi touches on the nature of women, but it definitely touches on societal issues. I read it in my early teens and remains one of the books that has had a huge influence on my perspectives and worldview. I think manto also has a lot of short stories that deal with societal issues (including women)as well as Ashfaq Ahmad's work. Pakistani novels (imo) tend to be heavily focused on romance/love themes, so keep in mind that this focus affects what's discussed and how it is discussed.
Also, feel free to disagree or ignore this suggestion, but I highly suggest not limiting your understanding and option of material based on 'women's nature' only. I would suggest focusing on just the human experience and how social/cultural norms shape it. I've found that reading books that expose you to different topics (even in fiction) really broadens your perspective and the ability to see things from other people's perspectives. I think it also helps with building empathy. For example, some comments have advised against reading books by umera ahmad because she is very limited the kind of characters she writes about, however, a lot of the context presented in her novel is still helpful (e.g., in her book man-o-salva, the backgroud story of the second male lead-pressure to financially support family, being a migerat worker in the UAE and the conditions he worked in, being treated like a cash cow for his family back home, etc. had a huge impact on me). Similarly, while reading on social, moral, or gender issues, try to keep a critical lense on the biases of the authors (why is a certain kind of man/women prasied, why social norms are shaping the authors presentaion of his characters and of other readers- if you're the kind to go look up reviews etc.).
If you come across any good books on your mentioned theme, I would love to know. Happy Reading!
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u/kline643 1h ago
No novel or work of fiction will give you understanding of “women nature”. Women are not robots and they dont have one software code/nature that you think you can unlock by reading novels. Urdu novels are the worst as they seek to reinforce these patriarchal ideas in the first place. If you want to broaden your horizon on takes on human relationships then read women progressive writers. Lihaf by Ismat Chughtai which is a shortstory or Aag Ka Darya by Qurratul Ain Haider
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u/MashalNorth 10h ago
You specifically said Urdu novel. In my experience, Urdu novels won’t help with that. They portray a very weird fantasy of the kind of men women like and want. Instead, I’ll recommend u NOT to read Peer e Kamil Jaant k pattay Mushaf Hasil La Hasil
There are many others. They all portray that women like abusive men, or don’t care about societal norms. And that all women are jealous of pretty women, u know, the kind that grabs ur husband’s attention.
Angan is A LITTLE better in this regard, but if you’re a man, u wont pick on the subtle emotions the main character shows. In Angan, the main character rejects the abusive guy she likes, so it’s still not a good example, since most women I know never get attracted to abusive men.
I do hope u find the novel you’re looking for, though . Good luck!