Welcome to Nazia Peer .:House of Peacer:.

House of Peace

I dont believe in concidence.. Nazia Peers new novel, House of Peace has been sitting at my bedside table for two months now.. I attempted a read when i first received the long-awaited gift arrival. I held it in anticipation of all that i had heard and imagined. Savoured the autographic note. But alas, with so much of life swirling around me, distracting and demanding more time than i could muster up, Salaamat evaded me, or rather, i evaded it. Until. Hajj. Removing myself from the mundane. Returning, hopeful and equipped with an altered mindset. And a new read unstoppable, of a fragile masterpiece. The time had come for me to appreciate my read, there was a reason to absorb its message now.
Sociological relevance gleams like urgent rays through the pages of this parody of identities and intricate biography that spans delicately beyond the bounds of national geographies and cultural dogmas. And more so, Dr. Peers tale plasters across the canvas of generational difference in a way that clearly defines how the traditional mindset and (progressive) contemporary thought might engage each other. But the truly engaging detail that begs mentioning, is the ways in which Peer cunningly allows the reader a peek into her world, the world of a Muslim professional brought up in contemporary western South Africa. To the outside reader, there might appear deep contradictions in the ways in which we are able to relate to the general lifestyle, keeping in mind the immensly sacred nature of the cultural underpinnings of upbringing. Not only does she show skill in this illustration of the inside world to the spectator reader, but she is able to engage a number of contemporary readers who can both adequately and animatedly identify with her characters.
by Shafinaaz Hassim

House of Peace Book Launch

House of Peace was launched on 4 November 2005 at a glittering function held at Durban's Artsmart gallery. Academic, Ashwin Desai, presided over proceedings which included key-note addresses by poet, Don Mattera and educator, Dr Lubisi. Activist and retired academic, Professor Fatima Meer, whose publising house, Madiba publishers, published the book, was also in attendance to lend her support.

House of Peace Synopsis

House of Peace is the title of the debut, breakthrough novel written by Nazia Peer ("Peer"). The title has been inspired by the name of the lavish Johannesburg residence ("Salaamat" – which is the Arabic name for Peace) from which the plot unravels. In a fast-paced novel, Peer manages to weave her tapestry over a few short but eventful days. In one weekend, the protagonists, numerous as they are, find themselves faced with a number of revealing insights into their own lives – each faced with their own, unique, compelling reality that, it appears, will singularly change their worldview. Set in post-apartheid South Africa, House of Peace breathes a fresh and charming air into South African literature.
Salaamat is occupied by Malik, youngest brother of six, his mother Miriam and his austere, somewhat patriarchal, father, Shahid. The six sons, all connected to the medical world, are, on the surface, very successful. Their father's background, shrouded in some mystery, is a source of some interest. It appears that he was in some way connected to a liberation movement in the Middle East but settled in South Africa many years previously. Through discipline and encouragement he managed to open up the world to his sons. Farouk, a government minister, has used the opportunity best but through his arrogance has isolated the people around him. Every house has a nucleus and Salaamat is no exception and whilst his life is literally far-removed from his familial home, Mustafa, who epitomises serenity, is the living force which gives character to the home. With grace and calm, he diffuses several volatile situations and guides, even the older ones, his siblings to a state of enlightenment. Since the book does tackle difficult issues, the family also experience some personal tragedy over the weekend brought on by self-discovery and inner exploration. The stand-out characters, because of the changes in their realities and because of the sharp contrast between the two, must be Farouk and Malik. The former's haughtiness is reduced to a personal state of impoverishment which leaves one feeling little sympathy for him whilst the latter, who appears to be filled with self-doubt, breaks a mould which keeps him captive.
What unfolds over the weekend is a bitter-sweet tale about a remarkable, yet ordinary, South African family grappling with issues in the context of an evolving society. It is a great pity that it has taken so long for a book like House of Peace to be written because it explores the lives of a community – the Indian, muslim community – that has had no small role to play in changing the shape of South African history. On the path to understanding, tolerance and reconciliation, it will go some way in helping us understand the origin of these vibrant, industrious people. It also goes some way in expunging the myth about Muslim fanaticism, which, if nothing else, is refreshing. Most of all though, and at its heart, it is a simple story about love and compassion.
Peer, who is 27 years old, is a medical doctor living and working at the South African National Defence Force in Durban. She has grown up and lives in a Muslim, Indian community. She is therefore very well qualified to author this book. This fact is echoed by the fact that her characters are very real and easily identifiable. Her first attempt can only be described as exceptional. Her passion for the project saw her taking more than five years to complete it – whilst studying to become a doctor. The result is that House of Peace leaves one filled with an array of emotional responses ranging between abject disappointment to unparalleled happiness. It is a lovely read and will act as an excellent panacea for a disillusioned soul.