Review of Saad Ashraf's Novel 'General Payday: His Life and Times'

Key Highlights :

1. The book is about General Payday and his life and times.

2. He is a likable man, average and ordinary in most ways, from his school days and matriculation exam, where he didn't become top in the class, after all, as he and his parents had expected.

3. He was supposed to become a civil servant but ended up in the army.

4. The army wasn't all that smooth either, and Payday realized that success didn't always go by skills and achievements, but also by friendship with the seniors, even their wives.

5. His teenage friend, Roxanna, a rather dubious and clever girl, remains Payday's only real friend and love throughout his life. They marry late after she has had other relationships, making her financially and socially independent—no need to follow conventions if one is free to be above such, it seems she thought.

6. After Payday's parents died in a car accident, and he was an only child, he was a lonely man.

7. Payday is not a bad general or a bad president. It seems, though, that much is a bit above his capacity, but he remains loyal to his land and the military, also to his superiors and his juniors, and his few friends, only using excessive power when needed.

8. After he is forced out of office, he lives a modest and quiet life, well protected, but it seems quite boring, although sometimes the authorities consult him for advice.

9. Alas, when Roxanna passes away from cancer, life takes a downturn for Payday, and his life becomes quite meaningless which contributes to his quite early passing.

10. The book is fiction, of course, as a novel always is.

     Saad Ashraf is a veteran author, having retired from a successful career as a civil servant over twenty years ago. His latest novel, 'General Payday: His Life and Times', is an intriguing story about a young man who rises to the rank of general and eventually becomes president of his country.

     The book follows the life of General Payday, from his school days to his eventual retirement. Payday is an average student, but he is determined to make something of himself and joins the army. Despite the disapproval of his parents, Payday rises through the ranks and eventually becomes the president of his country.

     Throughout his life, Payday is accompanied by his lifelong friend, Roxanna. Roxanna is a clever girl who has a knack for getting out of tight situations. She is also independent and unafraid of challenging convention. When Payday's parents die in a car accident, Roxanna is the only one who remains by his side.

     The book is a pleasant and entertaining read, full of interesting characters and stories. It is written in the American style, which is longer than the British style, but this only adds to the detail and charm of the story. It is a fictional story, but it is based on real events and characters, making it an interesting and informative read.

     The book is a valuable insight into the life and times of military leaders, and it is a great way to understand the complexities of a military leader's life. It is also a great way to understand the dynamics of friendship and love, as Payday and Roxanna's relationship is explored throughout the book.

     Overall, 'General Payday: His Life and Times' is a great read. It is full of interesting characters and stories, and it is an entertaining and informative look into the life and times of a military leader. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in military history or wants to understand the complexities of a military leader's life.

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