Beyond Beliefs

'Beyond Beliefs' is a compelling and extraordinary true story spanning The First World War, The Great Depression, The Partition of India and The Holocaust.This epic memoir recounts the story of Sohail Husain's parents and grandparents, whose lives were engulfed by momentous events of the 20th century. His parents, Karola and Afzal, were separated by birthplace, race, faith, language and age, but their common experience of unimaginable upheaval and loss ultimately brought them together. Their love story was complicated and unconventional, but enduring. 'Beyond Beliefs' is a testament to human spirit overcoming tragedy and adversity.Sohail's evocative prose delivers a deeply personal insight into his family's journey that spans continents and cultures. It exposes the horrific consequences of war and violent extremism, and the struggles faced by immigrants and refugees, still very relevant today. In places distressing, frequently emotive and sometimes amusing, this powerful thought-provoking homage reveals amazing discoveries, astonishing coincidences and history repeating itself.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Nigel

Faith, Hope and Humanity

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 March 2024

This memoir is about Sohail Husain's parents, his mother, a German Jewess who evaded the Holocaust and his father, a Muslim from the Punjab. After his parents died, he realised that his children and grandchildren knew little about their grandparents. He wrote a piece about them. Kith and kin were intrigued and urged him to find out more. He never imagined it would take six years, involve scouring archives in four continents, reading 600 plus letters in Urdu, English, German and 'Sutterlinschrift', an old form of handwriting. He found and met elderly contemporaries of his parents who knew them when and where they grew up and how they lived, to record their memories and anecdotes.

The narrative takes us from the German trenches in Picardy to the Marriage House near Amritsar, the Great Depression that caused huge upheavals across the world, from Nazi oppression that forced his mother to flee to London and, after working as a domestic, became a Nippy at a Lyons Corner House, and to the Partition of India. Husain's father was born in east Punjab, in India before Partition, migrated to west Punjab in Pakistan after.

This intriguing narrative is researched meticulously from the perspective of two people caught-up in the triumphs and tragedies of their times. They met in London, married in Karachi and raised a family back in London. Father determined to be an entrepreneur. He traded Chinese and Indian handicrafts, joss sticks, ornaments and perfume and hair cream that he concocted in his garage, on street markets in London. Husain's mother was the keystone that kept the family together through times of largesse and austerity, emotional and financial.

Husain, a researcher by profession, does not allow himself to slip into the role of social or romantic commentator. What he writes is about the who, why, what, where and how it happened to his much-loved parents. A highly commended memoir of hope and happiness in these troubled times of conflict between Muslims and Jews.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.DE

Dr. Zlatko Penzar

So honest, you're captivated by family tragedies, love, perseverance, and optimism!

Reviewed in Germany on 14 March 2024. Translated from German.

What fascinated me in this book: this is a personal, almost embarrassingly honest, story about a man in search of the roots of his mother and father's families, which could hardly be more different: The mother, a German-Jewish girl, flees to England just before the last door to rescue was closed - a few days before the start of the Second World War! The father, of Indo-Muslim origin, from a highly esteemed, educated family, whose own father, however, led a mysterious life and went into hiding as an immigrant in South America. This globetrotting streak apparently continued in the author's father, who lands unplanned in London following the entry ban in an Argentinean port. There he meets the author's mother and a wonderful love story ensues. Both uprooted, beggar-poor, try hard to find their way in the new, foreign environment, where they experience many economic setbacks and new beginnings. Both the family tragedy of the mother, whose parents had not made it out of Germany and ended up in gas chambers in Auschwitz, as well as countless problems that the couple had to experience due to the very different cultural environment of European Jews and Pakistani Muslims, could all be overcome through their persistence and lasting, deep love.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Amazon Customer

A True Story for Our Times

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2024

Having some experience of family history research myself I am in awe of the amount of work undertaken by Sohail to produce such a detailed, lucid account of his family and their lives.
This book is so well written with meticulous research presented in a very readable format accompanied by supporting images and footnotes.
Historical background events are also recorded to give a comprehensive story of Sohail's family and the times they lived through.
Sohail is a skilled researcher and story-teller. But this is a true story and in view of events taking place in today's world this is a must-read book.

Mrs. P

Karola and Afzal: a moving tale of love between two very diverse cultures in time of war.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2024

This is the most formidable volume I have embarked on for some time; yet from the first page I found it a compelling read. This was in no small measure due to the engaging writing style of the author and the degree of detail he provided in setting the scene in which the story unfolded. It is clear that much research went into the changing political and social history during the lifetimes of both families. There was much supporting information in diagrams, extracts, photographs and maps which made the story so personal. I especially liked the extracts from letters which passed between Karola and Afzal during their times apart. These transcended any cultural differences you might imagine could exist between a young Jewish woman and a devout Muslim young man. Their love and perseverance through a myriad of difficulties during and after World War 2 and beyond can only give us all hope that people of different cultures and religions can not only live peaceably together but may even share their lives.
There has never been a more opportune time to read this inspiring story of a Jewish/ Muslim family so beautifully told.

REVIEWED ON WATERSTONES.COM

Leonard Bates

Very enjoyable

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

John Archer

Long but very readable. Moving account of escape of Jewish mother from Nazi Germany

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2024

The authors academic success and career is remarkable when you hear of the turbulent life of his parents and grandparents. His mother was a tough but loving star, a Jew escaping Nazi persecution, finding love and a fragile life in Britain with a Pakistani Muslim, and then coping with life in Pakistan in a family with another wife to share. Beautifully written with many quotes from loving and emotional letters, the story is a "feel-good "one with good triumphing over evil and love over everything. The family now is an example to us all when inter cultural, and inter religious conflict grabs all the headlines.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.DE

Homi

Reviewed in Germany on 6 April 2024

As an immigrant myself from the subcontinent, I found it fascinating to read the true stories of a family just one or two generations before my time.

I am in awe at the tremendous effort the author has put in to find out what happened, and the level of research required to determine the facts. All that across a couple of hundred years of time and 3 continents of culture and space

A very readable account. A book which I picked up on a Thursday and didn't stop reading until I'd finished the 500 odd pages on Monday.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.IN

Akash Basu

True story of young couple whose families witnessed key events of the 20th century.

Reviewed in India on 25 April 2024

Verified Purchase

This is a fascinating account of a true story of a young German woman and Indian man whose families experienced the major events of twentieth century- two world wars and partition of India. The author (who is the son of the two main characters) has painstakingly recovered the story through letters, archival materials and conversations with survivors. It is a vivid picture of that tumultuous period of history while at the same time a love story that survived many odds. A must-read!

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Ken Hedley

A true story which, unfortunately, is being repeated in so many ways today.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2024

Beyond Beliefs is an outstandingly well written and intriguing book. It records the lives of 2 generations of two disparate families, one with roots in Germany and the other in India. The turbulent experiences of members of both families are by turn, horrifying, tragic, surprising and inspiring, as they encounter war, religious persecution, cultural differences, a pandemic, a world-wide financial collapse, poverty and the loss of loved ones. It's the product of painstaking and excellent research. It's a very good read and I highly recommend it not least because it's pertinent to the world today.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Amazon Customer

An incredible true story, meticulously researched

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 May 2024

This is an incredible, true story that centres on the lives of Afzal and Karola in London, migrants from very different parts of the world - and the author's parents. The story is so unusual. The author's engaging writing style hooks you from the start, but the richness of the story comes from the meticulous research and the insights from so many personal letters, detailing the lives, losses and loves the families experienced. The author also weaves into this highly personal story the historical events unfolding around the globe - including the first world war and the partition of India. This book reminds us - at a time when the world sorely needs it - of the importance of love, kindness and tolerance in the face of conflict and adversity.

Amazon customer

A captivating and emotional read set against a detailed historical backdrop

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 May 2024

This was an enthralling read about the lives of the author's parents and grandparents. At its centre, 'Beyond Beliefs' is an incredible love story that sees the author's parents navigate continents, religions and social-economic challenges to be together. But beyond that, the story provides great insight into some of the most tormentous times in global history. Every strand has been meticulously researched by the author themselves, and is written in such an engaging manner that each of the 500-black-and-white pages paints a vivid and colourful picture for the reader.

Extract from a book group report

Taken from a local U3A group newsletter

In April we read "Beyond Beliefs" by Sohail Hussain. It tells the story of Sohail's parents Carrola and Afsal, who were separated by birthplace, race, faith and language. Their story was complicated and unconventional but enduring. A testament to human spirit overcoming tragedy and adversity. This is a factual story but written without any judgement on the various aspects of the story. Although this wasn't an easy read, most of us enjoyed it, and found it incredibly informative, especially on the trials the Jews had in obtaining compensation from the Germans after the war. The amount of research Sohail made to write the book was mind boggling.

Buzz

A true tale of survival and determination

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2024

An insight into real and extraordinary lives taken from personal accounts, evidence and research; this is a testament to perseverance and a determination to survive and overcome persecution on so many levels. It is a fascinating account of a family's history against the backdrop of complex social, political and cultural issues. A true-life tale that is well described as being 'beyond beliefs'; a great read that brings to life world events and their impact on real lives of the time and the generations that follow to the present day.

Amazon Customer

A testamony to paper documents

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 June 2024

What a story to tell - you could not make it up. Thank goodness for people who kept paper in the form of letters, photographs and documents. No way will our digital age give such access no matter what the tech companies tell us. You cannot beat Hard evidence. Congrats to author for tremendous application and perseverance. Must be three films at least.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.COM.AU

Louise Meyrick

Fascinating Family History

Reviewed in Australia on 31 May 2024

Beyond Beliefs provides important details about the extraordinary impact of the Nazi regime on Jewish people and the resilience of those lucky to survive by escaping to other countries including the UK. In telling the story of his Jewish mother Karola and his Muslim Indian/Pakistani father Afzal, the latter of whom migrated - on a whim - to the UK, Sohail Husain (their son) provides a rich and complex story of love triumphing over extraordinary adversity, cultural difference and financial hardship.

REVIEWED ON WATERSTONES.COM

Samuel Holt

A true story of enduring love and resilience

Reviewed 26 May 2024

A gripping read - I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend to anyone. A true story of love and resilience.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

June Hodges

Two cultures meet

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2024

A fascinating account of the meeting of two people of very different cultures - a German Jew & a Pakistani Muslim leading to their life together as immigrants in the UK. The loss of family during the rise of the Nazis is a hard read at times. The family background of the Pakistani side of the family is quite different. Research by the author is very detailed and must have been hard to do.
An amazing story of a real family & their background.

Dr Foster

Beyond Beliefs, an almost unbelievable story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 June 2024

An enthralling book. A testament to the human spirit that prevailed during and after the Second World War. Most youngsters today would think that the story is pure fiction, but you could not make it up. Hats off to Sohail for his dogged research and his very well written portrayal of his family's trials, tribulations and achievements through this momentous time in our history.

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.DE

Karin

A fascinating story about the victory of love in difficult times

Reviewed in Germany on 30 June 2024

The author shares with us the extraordinary and exciting life story of his family, in particular his grandparents and parents. The mother - a refugee German Jew, the father - an emigrated Indian Muslim - met in London during the Second World War. Despite all cultural and religious differences and adversities, they manage to build a life together. Their love, willpower and inner strength are their driving forces.

Religiously motivated wars, flight, hate and persecution - these topics are unfortunately still terrifyingly relevant today.

As part of the post-war generation in Germany, I was once again shocked and ashamed by what the Jewish population in National Socialist Germany in particular had to endure. And it is once again a confirmation of how alert we must be against all spreading, radical excesses. The book also makes an important contribution to this.

It is precisely the exact descriptive yet emotional writing style that makes this true family biography, lovingly researched down to the smallest detail, very moving for me. It's not a fictional novel, the unbelievable story actually happened!
In doing so, Husain is excellent at integrating personal events into world events.

The story is profoundly human: it exists, these true stories, in which love prevails, regardless of what nationality, religion or culture people belong to. Each of these glimmers of hope can give courage and make the world a bit better.

You can only give the author the highest respect for his work: a clear reading recommendation for this valuable book!

REVIEWED ON AMAZON.CO.UK

Amazon Customer

***** Most aptly titled

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 July 2024

An extraordinary and riveting read which should not be missed.
The depth of detail, thoroughness of research and emotional restraint of the author is admirable indeed.
One is, in turn, chilled, amused, bewildered and stunned by the events recorded.
Highly recommended.

Sohail Husain was born in 1951 to mixed-race parents - one a German Jewish refugee, the other an Indian Muslim immigrant - who scraped a living working London's famous street markets. His childhood experience of growing up in a multicultural home in straitened circumstances had a huge influence on his outlook on life. After leaving school, he studied geography at the University of Nottingham and was awarded a PhD in 1976. Subsequently, he enjoyed a varied career that included 13 years as a university lecturer, 15 years with an NGO dedicated to creating safer communities and 12 years as an adviser to the UN on programmes to prevent violence against women and girls. Following retirement, and using his skills as a social scientist, he embarked on research into his family's history that led to many amazing discoveries and ultimately to the publication of his memoir, 'Beyond Beliefs'. Sohail has two daughters and five grandchildren, and has lived with his wife, Caroline, in south Hampshire (UK) for more than 45 years.

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