Book Review: ‘LŌal Kashmir’ by Mehak Jamal

Book Title: LŌal Kashmir: Love and Longing in a Torn Land
Author: Mehak Jamal
Publisher: Fourth Estate India
Number of Pages: 364
ISBN: 978-9365690637
Date Published: Jan. 17, 2025
Price: INR 399

Book Review

“LŌal Kashmir: Love and Longing in a Torn Land” by Mehak Jamal is a heartfelt collection of sixteen real-life stories about love, longing, and resilience in the conflict-ridden region of Kashmir. The book paints a deeply emotional picture of how relationships—romantic, familial, and platonic—survive in a place where expressing love can be challenging. Through touching narratives, the author highlights the struggles of people who continue to love despite curfews, political unrest, and social restrictions.

The book is divided into three sections—’Otaru (Day Before Yesterday)’, ‘Rath (Yesterday)’, and ‘Az (Today)’—each capturing different periods of Kashmir’s history. The first part tells stories from the early days of militancy, where love letters and stolen moments kept relationships alive. The second section focuses on the years of protests and curfews after 2008, showing how couples struggled to stay connected. The final section, the most powerful, takes place after the abrogation of Article 370, when an intense communication blackout made even a simple phone call impossible. Each story reflects the resilience of people who find ways to hold on to love, no matter the obstacles.

The book highlights the creative ways people maintained contact during the shutdown, from handwritten letters and Bluetooth messaging to APK file sharing. One poignant story follows Asad, a transgender man, who struggled with isolation when unable to reach his friend Haika in Pakistan. Desperate, he traveled to Amritsar under the guise of collecting notes, just to reconnect. Later, as landlines were restored, they devised a workaround using multiple calls through friends in different cities. Beyond romantic relationships, the book also captures the deep longing between friends and family, showcasing love’s resilience in times of separation.

Mehak Jamal’s writing is simple yet powerful, making the reader feel the emotions of each character. From a woman hiking to a police station for a short phone call to a lover leaving notes on a car’s windshield, every story is filled with longing and hope. She captures the reality of life in Kashmir without exaggeration, making these personal experiences feel real and relatable.

Check out our Latest Book Reviews

“LŌal Kashmir: Love and Longing in a Torn Land” is a moving and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the personal lives of people often forgotten in the larger political narrative. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, love remains a powerful force. Emotional, insightful, and beautifully written, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding Kashmir through the eyes of its people.

Books are love!

Get a copy now!