Deyal (Bengali: দেয়াল, Translation: Wall) is a 2013 political/historical novel by Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed, based on the socio-political crisis in the aftermath of the war of independence of Bangladesh. It was the last novel of the writer and was published one year after his death.[1][2] The publication of the book was delayed by a High Court verdict.[3][4]
Background
In the midst of 2011, Ahmed started writing the book and after writing the first five chapters, these parts were published in Anyadin magazine. After a long period, while he was in treatment of cancer in United States, he again started writing the novel, but he died before completing the last part of the work. The novel was written according to several well-known historical literatures following the events after liberation war, including Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood by Anthony Mascarenhas.
Controversy
Before being published, there was controversy over the accuracy of a section of the book,[6] that related to the killing of Sheikh Russel in the 15 August 1975 Bangladesh Coup d'état, and a case was brought in the Bangladesh High Court by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. According to the high court's order, the first part of the book had to be changed and the Government was ordered to provide Humayun Ahmed with a copy of the verdict on the killing so that he might correct factual inaccuracies.[7][8]
Reception
Deyal was a best seller in the 2013 Ekushey Book Fair.[9][10] In 2013, Justices AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury and Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain of the Bangladesh High Court issued a verdict challenging the execution of Colonel Abu Taher in which they made references to Deyal.[11]
