This is slightly off-topic, but I just have to give a shout-out to a fantastic writing instructor and one of the hardest-working writers I know. A.X. Ahmad’s debut novel “The Caretaker”—the first in a trio of literary thrillers—came out this week and he’s getting some terrific press.
Here is the description from Tom Nolan’s review in today’s Wall Street Journal:
An ex-Indian army captain, [Ranjit Singh] has taken his wife and young daughter to the U.S. to escape old-country shame. But new troubles catch up with him on Martha’s Vineyard, where he has found winter work looking after the summer homes of the rich. Singh’s tenuous, illegal-immigrant existence is imperiled when well-dressed, well-armed men break into the mansion where Singh and his family have been squatting. After fleeing the intruders, Singh realizes that he is in possession of the very object they want, and it’s clear they’ll stop at nothing to get it.
For those of you who live in the D.C. metro area, Ahmad will be doing his first public reading on Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at Politics and Prose.
For more, check out Ahmad’s Facebook page. He’s got excerpts from the book, links to interviews and posts on current events. It’s a fascinating view into the life of a debut novelist. I plan to read the book as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.
Terri J. Huck 