Book Review: My Father’s Dream by Tarannum Parveen – A Daughter’s Journey, A Father’s Vision
In My Father’s Dream, Tarannum Parveen offers readers a deeply personal and emotionally evocative narrative about growing up in rural India under the guiding light of a father’s dream. This debut work, written in Urdu, resonates with quiet power, blending the rawness of reality with the warmth of familial love. More than just a memoir, it’s a tribute—a celebration of how one person’s vision can shape the destiny of another.
The protagonist, Tarannum, is a simple village girl with limited means but boundless potential. Her world is small, yet her dreams—mirroring those of her father—are vast and luminous. What begins as her father’s unfulfilled aspiration soon becomes her life’s compass. Through schoolyard challenges, societal limitations, and the invisible weight of gender expectations, Tarannum perseveres, fuelled by the belief that her success is not hers alone but a continuation of her father’s silent sacrifices.
Parveen’s writing style is fluid, poetic, and suffused with genuine emotion. Drawing from her Urdu literary roots, she crafts scenes that are vivid and poignant. Her narrative voice is both humble and assertive, making the reader feel every struggle, every small triumph, and every emotional nuance. She does not shy away from exposing the harshness of rural realities—poverty, limited educational resources, and the subtle oppression of gender norms—but neither does she let those elements overshadow the hope that pulses through the story.
What makes My Father’s Dream stand out is its authenticity. This is not a tale of overnight success or dramatic rebellion. It is a slow-burning journey of resilience, shaped by familial bonds and quiet determination. The father, though not always present in every chapter, looms large in spirit, anchoring the story with his belief in the power of education and empowerment.
The emotional core of the book is universal: the desire to make someone proud, to rise beyond one’s circumstances, and to honour the dreams of a loved one. Parveen manages to balance this emotional gravity with a narrative that is engaging and easy to follow. It’s a book that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.
As a debut, My Father’s Dream is an impressive literary offering. It reflects the strength of a new voice in Indian writing—particularly among women writers who are reclaiming space to tell stories rooted in their personal histories. Written in Urdu, the book adds a lyrical and cultural richness that makes it all the more moving. This is a must-read for anyone who believes in the quiet strength of dreams, the resilience of women, and the enduring power of a parent’s love. In telling her story, Tarannum Parveen tells the story of many—a reminder that behind every empowered woman, there often lies a dream, once dreamt by someone else.
Author Interview – Tarannum Parveen
