This is a story of friendship, betrayal and retribution. We follow the fortunes of Ahmed Taseer, a boy from an isolated mountain village in Afghanistan. When a close friend is orphaned and seized by the Taliban to become a suicide bomber, Ahmed and his friend Haziz retaliate.
Ka firistan explores how opposition to radical religion and narcissistic power can trigger events that can take a boy to the other side of the world.
In Australia, Ahmed navigates
the fate of asylum seekers, assimilates into a foreign culture and becomes a man. He questions ingrained religious perceptions and finds that his past must be resolved before he can embrace his new life.
Ross Howard was born in Sydney. A seasoned traveller, he has published a number of travel books, with a focus on Central Asia and the Middle East. Kafiristan is his first work of fiction and draws upon elements of those journeys and experiences.
A graduate of the Australian National University, his career has encompassed a range of senior positions in government and industry in both Australia and overseas.
ISBN 9781922120960 (PB, 195 pp);
152mm x 229mm
(release date 1 November 2014)
$26
$17
" The plot moves at a good pace, takes unpredictable twists and turns and explores friendship, violent betrayal and retribution. It takes us to places we believe we know, only to find that we don’t."
– John O’Neill, Cdr RAN (Rtd) MBT OAM, Author, Ka fira
"A page turner that brings readers face-to-face with issues presenting in Australia and Afghanistan and provides opportunities to re flect on contemporary policies. Events move at a good clip with readers drawn right into the journey of the main character. A must for your reading list."
– David Francis, Caithness Robson Consultancy
Links
Sample
Chapter One
US COMBAT SYSTEMS UNIT
BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN
MAY 2000
The green glow shadowed Jack Penner’s face as he leant toward
the screen. His eyes flicked to the time indicator and he glanced
at Pete Thompson on the next console. It was close to shift’s
end and concentration was flagging. They were flying an MQ-9
Reaper drone across the mountainous Afghan landscape of the
Hindu Kush. Intelligence had said the Taliban were active in
the area, but so far no success.
Penner was the pilot, Thompson the sensor operator. Both
qualified pilots, they had been seconded to the Combat Systems
Unit for a year, but the rumours said it was going to be a long
time before they were back to flying aircraft.
Penner’s eyes moved back to the screen and what he saw
jerked him upright. “What the fuck?”
Thompson swung around and peered at the live feed. They
saw a boy standing beside a pattern of rocks that formed an
arrow.
The colonel, who had materialised behind Penner, said,
“Take a closer look.” As Penner, re-focused the high-powered
camera, more expletives emerged from the three men. They
saw the arrow was beside a separate group of rocks spelling
the English word ‘TALIB’. The boy lifted his head as if he knew he was being watched.
“Let him know we’re here,” said the colonel.
The small group fell silent. This was a breach of protocol
but Penner didn’t hesitate and flashed the strobe.
The boy became animated, pointing in the direction of the
arrow. There was no doubt; this kid in the remote mountains
was talking to them.
Penner shook his head. “What’s this all
about? How does a kid out here know the English word for Talib?”
The colonel’s response was quiet and to the point. “It doesn’t matter. It’s obvious he wants us to find ‘em.”