An Unexpected Light

****/*****                                                                                                                       Travel/Memoir

An Unexpected Light-Travels In Afghanistan

Jason Elliot

This is a stirring account of author’s travel in war ravaged Afghanistan, a journey as much across this strange land as into the deep, hitherto unexplored dungeons of his inner self.

Jason Elliot spent one of his summer vacations during his schooling years, in Afghanistan and fell in love with the country and its people. This was his maiden visit to Afghanistan during the Russian occupation and he spent time with Mujahedeen, Afghans fighting Russians, observing from close quarters their struggle and their war-torn lives. He was then nineteen years old. He visited Afghanistan again in mid 90s after Russians had withdrawn but peace still eluded Afghanistan, as the country was in the throes of an ugly civil war and Taliban was the major player. This time he travelled widely with the aim of writing a book, but he had no idea about the type of book he wanted to write. He thought that the structure of book would evolve with the unfolding of the journey and the book stands apart from other travel writings for this very reason. He travelled on foot across mined lands, on scrawny ponies, hitched rides in nearly broken-down trucks and jeeps, across some of the highest and most treacherous passes in the world, was forced to seek shelter from the suspicious NGO expatriates who were reluctant hosts, and witnessed generosity of the natives unknown to him whose prodigal hospitality left him dazed and humbled, in the seedy Chai-khanas and Serais where he had to sleep with smelly co-travelers packed like sardines. From these experiences he has decanted this pristine memoir: a heart-rending account of a beautiful country destroyed by decades of war; millions of innocent lives devastated in its wake; a whole generation of psychologically and physically mutilated youth who grew-up in a country where they never knew a moment’s peace, no schools, no entertainment, no jobs but broken homes, and a murderous war. He tells a story not only of the gloomy aspects of a war ravaged country, fundamentalist Islamic society and warring tribal chieftains; the clichéd western reportage from war torn east, but a sensitive, poignant and thoughtful account of a people struggling to eke out a dignified life, enjoying small pleasures which life offers even in these harrowing times. He adroitly mixes his memoirs with glimpses of Afghanistan history. He talks of landmines, Russian war, Sufism, historical mosques but mainly about the people of Afghanistan.

Jason Elliot has a flare for telling a story. Using apt words and phrases he brings to life the rugged landscape of the Afghanistan country, precarious rides in fraying vehicles in company of burqua-clad women folk, village mullah, and Kalashnikov wielding men on broken down roads across lofty passes, lovingly describes the endearing hardiness and unbelievable hospitality of the natives, the rock-solid faith of the people in religion which enables them to face the sufferings and miseries of war with an almost philosophical detachedness. There is a lyrical quality in his writing which lends an otherworldly charm to these memoirs. A detailed map to illustrate the journey would have enhanced comprehension. At times he gives unbridled liberty to his poetic musings and few of the resulting paragraphs make for tedious reading but such passages are miniscule in this fairly long book.

In all, this is a moving piece of travel writing, a marvelous achievement of a first-time author. A must read for any lover of travel writing and a book you would savor for long.