This book is called, ‘IQBAL’, written by Francesco D’Adamo and it is a very, very inspiring book. It’s a real life story, and the author’s craft is excellent! It is about a young boy named Iqbal, and his earlier life is not mentioned in great detail, but it is said that he didn’t have the best life possible. He’s been sold from one carpet-maker to another, until he arrived at Hussain Khan’s workshop: the Location of Doom. It’s a filthy place, full of lint and dirt. All the workers are underfed, and their throats are completely dry from lack of water. Iqbal, has already experienced all this, and much, much worse. He’s comes out as strange at first, and is often questioned about his arrival. However, Iqbal soon steals everyone’s hearts and is an inspiration to all of the workers in the factory. He tells them that the lines on their slates, which represent the debts they have to pay and the reason they are working, never get erased. Hussain Khan and all the other masters may claim and pretend to erase them, but intend to keep these children as slaves forever. It’s illegal, but has not been made a big issue yet. Yet. Soon, Iqbal and most of the other children in the Factory meet at night, discussing their escape and how to reveal Hussain Khan and this exploitation to the World. Iqbal attempts escape two times, and both times has been brought back and thrown into ‘The Tomb’. However, after his second escape, he’s wide-eyed and narrates what he heard to the workers; he discovered a ‘Bonded Slavery Liberation Front’ where they fight and strive to put an end to the exploitation. Iqbal is determined to escape even more so after he listens to Eshan Khan’s (the leader’s) speech. After receiving a leaflet and decoding what it read with the help of one of the slaves, Iqbal and his team: Fatima, Maria, Ali, Salman and Karim all come up with a plan. Hussain doesn’t suspect a thing, but Iqbal flees again, this time to contact Eshan Khan and bring him back to the Factory. Iqbal succeeds in doing this, throwing Hussain Khan in prison and saving all the other workers. Eshan Khan and his wife take Iqbal, Fatima and Maria under their wings and treat them like their very own children. For once, they are fed properly, taken care of and not chained to looms; all thanks to Iqbal. In the following month, the whole of Pakistan knows about Iqbal, and crowds around him for information and help. In addition to that, Iqbal now helps Eshan Khan in his work, freeing other exploited children fearlessly. Iqbal is impavid; and he knows it. Soon, Fatima’s parents are found and Iqbal is rewarded with shoes and a degree in Boston, America. The two separate and go to different locations. Maria and Fatima keep in touch, but Iqbal is soon murdered. To date, he is a phenomenal influence and inspiration to all young children who are being abused or exploited. He, along with Malala, has changed the world!
My Feelings:
- This book was extremely inspiring book, woven together like how we weave thread. I wouldn’t say this book is alive with fresh and difficult words, but it is alive with a huge sense of emotion and feeling. It touched my heart, at times when the brutal fate and cruel behaviour of Hussain Khan and other masters were told.
- Although this book was written in 1 st person, it hasn’t been written in Iqbal’s perspective. Instead, it’s written in Fatima’s perspective. This leaves a bit of suspense around Iqbal, because Fatima knows nothing about him until he arrives. Fatima’s voice through the book is powerful, and gives a true feeling of how Iqbal has impacted people throughout their lives.
- I learnt a massive lesson in this book: Never to stop believing, and stand up for what you believe in. Even if it seems like you will perish the next minute, or all hope is lost, believe. Believe in the teensy crack of hope that will always be with you. That’s what Iqbal did, and Fatima saw and Maria believed. They were all believers.
- A different task now, from my normal reports. I’m going to be comparing ‘Iqbal’ to ‘I Am Malala’. Both these people have stood up to huge groups of men, who have exploited and slaved young children. Malala was slightly stronger, as she stood up to stronger and more powerful men, and slightly more fortunate as we lived through it all. Iqbal, though extremely intelligent and impavid, couldn’t make it and met a gruesome end.
I WOULD GIVE THIS BOOK A 10 OUT OF 10 RATING!
FIND OUT WHAT I MEAN BY READING ‘IQBAL’!
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON AMAZON FOR $6.58!
YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON GUARDIAN BOOKSHOP FOR £6.99!
ADYA'S ADVENTUROUS LIFE! 