Udaas Naslain (translated into English as The Weary Generations) is an Urdu novel by Pakistani writer Abdullah Hussain. His debut novel, it led to his rise to prominence in Urdu literature.[1] It won the Adamjee Literary Award in 1963, the year of its publication.[1] It is considered as a masterpiece and one of the greatest novels in Urdu literature.[2][1][3] It was translated into English and published in London in 1999.[4][5]

Udass Naslain
اداس نسلیں
AuthorAbdullah Hussain
LanguageUrdu
SubjectBritish India
GenreNovel
PublisherSang-e-Meel Publications
Publication date
First 1964; last 2015
Publication placePakistan
891.4393

The original edition of the book had a cover by Abdur Rahman Chughtai.[1] The English edition was translated by Asghar Nadeem Syed.[1]

The book is a work of episodic fiction and focuses on the roughly 35 years leading up to the Partition of India.

The book is divided in three parts as World War I days to, Indian independence day and culminating in Partition.

Main Character Naeem is a Victoria Cross winner who after showing gallantry in Belgium and France returns to his village Roshan pur.

The highlights of novel include trench warfare of World War I, village life, incident of Jallianwala Bagh and massacre Qissa Khwani Peshawar .

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Abdullah Hussain: A giant in Urdu literature | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  2. ^ Heemina Riaz (26 March 2019). "Udaas Naslain — one of the greatest novels in Urdu literature". Daily Times. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Urdu's greatest novels: Udaas Naslein and Nadaar Log". The Nation. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  4. ^ Pandya, Haresh (5 August 2015). "Abdullah Hussain, Urdu Novelist". Outlook India. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  5. ^ Hussein, Aamer (20 August 2015). "Abdullah Hussein obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2016.