HOWL

The “Howl” by Kazat Akmatov is a beautifully crafted novel centred
on life in rural Kyrgyzstan. Characteristic of the country’s national
writer, the simple plot is imbued with descriptions of the spectacular
landscape, wildlife and local customs.
The theme however, is universal and the contradictory emotions
experienced by Kalen the shepherd must surely ring true to young
men, and their parents, the world over.
Here is a haunting and sensitively written story of a bitter -sweet rite
of passage from boyhood to manhood.
Kalen returns home from National Service naively expecting his
parents to respect him as an adult but at the same time, indulge
him like a child. He feels slighted by both his father’s indifference to
his achievements in the army and his intentions to marry and despite
being closer to his mother, Kalen is dismayed that she too, is unwilling
to pander to his plans for an immediate marriage.
Impetuous and armed with the arrogance of youth, Kalen determines
to ignore his parents’ advice and instead, place his faith in the
sporadic appearance of a small bird which he believes to be his
protector. An innocent abroad and impatient to advance the next
step of his life by becoming betrothed to his sweetheart Munara,
Kalen is nevertheless a dutiful and responsible boy for whom the
reader can feel nothing but compassion as he is forced to tackle 24
hours of the most extreme, physical and emotional challenges which
nature and fate throw at him.
-- Laura Hamilton, editor