Humanity Nil by Babur Sheikh – Book Review
Humanity Nil by Babur Sheikh – Book Review
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Humanity Nil is a tense, thought-provoking thriller set in a near-future Delhi where crime has been virtually eradicated through a controversial “criminality test.” Written with cinematic intensity, the story explores how peace, when artificially imposed, can breed its own kind of danger.
At its heart is Afreen Malik, a once-celebrated crime reporter who finds herself obsolete in this sanitized utopia—and decides to reclaim relevance by dismantling it.
Plot– Humanity Nil
Two years after the criminality test’s success, Delhi has transformed into a city without fear: no assaults, no riots, no petty theft. Afreen, once a star journalist feeding the public’s appetite for danger, now drifts through a world she secretly despises. Convinced that the public is growing bored of constant good news, she orchestrates a series of brutal crimes—most shockingly, the kidnapping and murder of two prominent political daughters—to reawaken fear and chaos. As riots engulf India, Afreen’s manipulations attract the attention of Raj Sharma, a politician whose ambitions align perfectly with her manufactured crisis. Their alliance sets the stage for deeper political manipulation, using tragedy as a stepping stone for power.
Premise – Humanity Nil
The novel’s central premise is both chilling and incisive: when humanity is stripped of danger, it may begin to crave it again. Through Afreen’s actions, the book interrogates the ethics of control, the manipulative power of media, and the ease with which public fear can be reignited. The criminality test, initially a symbol of hope, becomes the very system whose downfall fuels the plot—suggesting that safety without agency is an illusion.
Character Development -Humanity Nil
Afreen Malik is a morally complex anti-heroine—ambitious, calculating, and deeply aware of human nature’s darker impulses. Her transformation from a bitter, sidelined reporter into the architect of national chaos is gradual and unnervingly believable. Raj Sharma is equally layered: a grieving father on the surface, but beneath that, a shrewd political operator who recognizes opportunity in catastrophe. Even minor characters—journalists rediscovering their edge, naive protesters, or manipulated pawns—are sketched vividly, adding depth to the societal tapestry.
Writing Style -Humanity Nil
The writing is sharp, immersive, and highly visual, blending the immediacy of a news broadcast with the pacing of a political thriller. The author excels at creating atmosphere—whether it’s the eerie calm of crime-free streets, the suffocating tension of a kidnapping, or the explosive chaos of riots. Dialogue is taut and purposeful, often layered with unspoken meaning, while the pacing shifts seamlessly between slow-burn plotting and sudden bursts of action.
Final verdict -Humanity Nil
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