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    Book Review: The Light Blue Jumper by Sidra F. Sheikh (First Pakistani science fiction novel)

    Written by: Musfirah Taqdees
    Posted on: October 02, 2017 | | 中文

    'The Light Blue Jumper' by Sidra Fatima Sheikh

    A ‘Pakistani sci-fi novel’ was all I needed to know, to grab a copy of The Light Blue Jumper. Sidra Fatima Sheikh’s debut novel has been published by Mongrel Books, a new indie publishing house founded by Shandana Minhas, herself a writer of three books. The launch of Mongrel Books marks a new era in Pakistan’s literature, considering that only numbered independent publishing houses are present in the country. The novel itself is one of a kind, for science fiction happens to be a rare genre among Pakistani fiction writers, whose work tends to focus on politics, religious extremism and patriarchy. Described by the blurb as ‘the love child of Douglas Adams, Shakespeare and Spaceballs,’ The Light Blue Jumper is a light-read, intended for adults.

    The dystopian fiction is set in the interplanetary regime of the ‘Interplanetary Forces (IPF)’. The novel revolves around a group of rebels who want to end IPF’s despotic rule. The protagonist, Zaaro Nian, a bald, balloon-headed, light-blue colored alien finds himself in the ship of the rebel crew. His straight forward and naïve comments, make him likeable, while idiosyncrasies such as an appetite for chicken tikka cubes and an attachment to mannerisms turn him into an eccentric hero.

    Other characters on the rebel ship include The Good Doctor, Central Command, Madam X, Lieutenant Salaar, Princess Dinaara and Commander Lethalwolf, all of whom develop a bond with Zaaro over time. Most of them are clumsy and amateurish, despite occupying important positions, so the first half of the book is filled with misunderstandings which create absurd situations, resulting in slapstick humor. The novel is a splendid comedy, which left me chuckling after every other chapter.

    An important theme tackled by the novel is that the excessively self-righteous Zaaro is a subject of colonialism but doesn’t realize it, working as a weapon developer for the government. When his friends open his eyes to the imperialism and oppression he has been subject to, Zaaro doesn’t really mind, at first. In fact, he enjoys the predictability and routine of his life, barely batting an eyelid when bomb blasts occur near him.

    The story picks up pace in the latter half of the book when the battle begins. The battle introduces themes like torture and disappearance of characters, issues which could have gained significance, but due to their light treatment never gain prominence. Similarly, the battle ends far too quickly, lacking the tone of finality one expects from an ending.  

    As a first person narrative, the book is divided in such a way that each character (even the minor ones) gets his/her voice heard in different situations. However, I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider looking in, unable to empathize with the characters because they lack appropriate depth and dimension. Only Zaaro is someone whom I won’t be forgetting soon, since it’s not every day that you read about an alien with such unique characteristics!

    The book ends on a cliffhanger with the end of the battle. Dark questions lurk beneath the words of the last few narrators. The prologue for the second part of the series has been given in the book, and it will delve further into the adventures of Zaaro. Overall, I would call the novel a refreshing read, which boldly steps away from typical themes in Pakistani literature.

    To find out more about the writer, I approached her to chat about her debut novel.

    What inspired you to write this book?

    I wanted to write something that would entertain people and leave them with something to think about. There are serious central themes in the book such as apathy and intolerance which, to my mind, are the major evils facing the world today. But amidst all the doom and gloom, I wanted mine to be a voice of hope, and a reason to smile.

    What was the hardest scene to write?

    The action scenes needed a lot of detail and revision, as I had to imagine and try to convey every aspect of it.

    What should we be expecting from Book 2?

    Book 2 will take the reader further into Zaaro’s world with plenty of madcap adventures and twists and turns.

    What's that one literary work that's close to your heart?

    There are many but one that always comes to mind is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021